HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-7-12
.
Advisory Committee of Non-Voting Taxpayers
Committee Meeting
The meeting of ACNVT was held in Nantucket High School, in the Resource Center at 10:00
a.m., Friday, July 12,2002.
Present: Trig Cooley, Roger Ernst, Susan Mueller (late), Ellen Roman, Terry Sutphen,
Helene Weld and Richard Wolfe (late). Guests: Dual McIntyre, President, Civic League,
Frank Spriggs, Chairman, Board of Selectmen.
Call to order: Chairman Ernst called the meeting to order, although there was not a quorum
to start. Since Bill Sherman was ill, Terry Sutphen agreed to be the secretary for the meeting.
Chairman Spriggs Discussion: Roger Ernst moved to Item 4 on the agenda and introduced
Frank Spriggs, Chairman, Board of Selectmen. Mr. Spriggs grew up in Nantucket and went
to local schools and moved off island, lived in Westchester County and worked for IBM for
30 years. He was a non-resident taxpayer starting in 1960 and became a permanent resident
after his retirement in 1995. He has been a selectman since 2001 and was appointed chairman
this past spring. He indicated he wanted to find a way to be collaborative with the various
organizations on the island. He recognizes that there is a big difference in the low tax rates in
Nantucket compared to the mainland, pointing out that he pays approximately $2000.00 in
Nantucket, compared to $12,000.00 in Westchester County.
He summarized the current board of selectmen, four of five that have college degrees. Tim
Soverino is the senior member (9 years) of the board, with other members being on the board,
elected over the last three years. While their individual philosophies differ they work well
together and are trying different things to improve or address the island's problems. He,
jokingly, mentioned that the new "Stop" sign on Old South Road is known as the "Spriggs
Memorial Stop Sign".
Issue Review: Chairman Spriggs pointed out that the biggest problem that faces the island is
lack of money to handle the growth. He pointed out that, except for the schools, town
government employment has remained constant at approximately 275 employees. The town
has a budget of $51 million and has nine (9) unions with different contract dates, seeking
wage increases in the 5-6% range, while the town is limited by Proposition 2Y:z%, with health
insurance costs increasing by 25% per year.
It will take four years to change medical plans and the town is currently working with a
consultant, working with town counsel, DeRensis, to negotiate consistency into future
contracts, rather than the existing varied contracts negotiated by individual selectmen and the
airport commission.
The selectmen are moving to act more like a board of directors, increasing the responsibilities
of the Town Administrator as set forward in the town charter.
Mr. Spriggs raised other issues and concerns, such as lack and cost of housing for working
people. He felt it was important to do things to ease the traffic problem and make things
easier, and do nothing that discourages other means of transportation. There is a growing
need for capital projects such as an upgrade of the Surfside sewer plant and overall
wastewater treatment. This will require further 2 Y:z% overrides to fund. The selectmen are
also looking at other sources of revenue including fees that have not been increased in 20
years. So far they have identified a potential of approximately $1 million in new or increased
fees. Weare also waiting to receive approval from the state attorney general for a 1 %
increase in the sales tax, which would add an additional $1 million to revenues.
Other Issues: Roger Ernst indicated that he felt that the needs of the various groups of
people on island should be looked at, such as day laborers, retirees, one month to 4-6 month
residents and day-trippers. Ellen Roman asked what ACNVT could do. Spriggs indicated the
following:
. How to come up with funds to run the town.
. Nantucket needs help in supporting overrides for capital projects, since level funding
all went to salaries.
. Need for upgrading in-house systems - no consistent system.
. Upgrading staff capabilities (i.e. Connie Voges, Town Controller has no trained
accountants in her staff). Also find the way to fill vacancies, such as tax collector, etc.
Dual McIntyre suggested that a list be developed of all non-voting taxpayers in
Massachusetts that could write letters and provide other support for Nantucket issues in the
Massachusetts legislature. Susan Mueller said that we needed to find a way to put pressure on
the government, both local and state to address Nantucket needs. Richard Wolfe suggested
that private funds might be raised to cover some of the capital needs on Nantucket. The group
also commented that there needed to be a change in the mentality in Nantucket.
ACNVT Mission: The group discussed what we should do to get ACNVT's mission
approved by the selectmen. Frank Spriggs suggested that we ask to have item included in the
weekly Selectmen's meeting. Ellen Roman will update our mission with copies for the
committee and Roger Ernst will arrange for it to be presented at a selectmen's meeting.
Civic League: Dual McIntyre, President of the Civic League, briefly discussed the efforts of
the Civic League. He welcomed to opportunity to work with ACNVT and establish links to
work closely together on issues of mutual interest. He handed out a list of the current area
associations, which address the needs of each area on the island. The Civic League has a
Board of Trustees and Executive Committee that meets monthly They are focusing on
Transportation, including airport development, Steamship Authority and traffic. The
organization is getting focused on the overall community and need more help in mobilizing
political forces.
Member Introduction: Sue Mueller, who joined the group late in the meeting, indicated that
she had been coming to the island for 48 years and owned a house for 40 years. She's on the
board of the Nantucket Land Council, which is involved in putting sheep common lands in
clear title so it can be given away. Richard Wolfe who also arrived late introduced himself as
a new member of ACNVT and would provide the secretary with his address, email, phone
numbers, etc.
ACNVT Attendance: Ellen Roman raised the issue of required attendance at ACNVT
meetings, since a quorum was important for us to hold our meetings. Ellen suggested that
Roger Ernst call absent members to find out if they plan to attend the meetings so we can
achieve a quorum.
Secretary's Report: Since a quorum was present at this time in the meeting, the committee
voted to accept the Secretary's minutes of the June 28 meeting, subject to the correction that
Trig Cooley had attended the meeting, which should be reflected in the minutes.
Special Town meeting: Terry Sutphen then presented a brief summary of his talk at the
upcoming Special Town Meeting for additional funding for the new 'Sconset sewer plant. He
pointed out that the Sconset plant was the "tip of the Iceberg" for funding for the necessary
upgrades of Nantucket's waste water system, which could approach over $100 million over
the next ten years. He pointed out the long lead times required to develop the system and
raised the critical issue of what growth rate would be used in determining the needs. Based
on recent building rates of 225 houses per year, looking out to the future could add 70% the
current number of houses in Nantucket over the next 30 years.
The group suggested that Terry emphasize that the island did not have to build such
accommodations into the water treatment system. However, in order to reduce the
requirements, Nantucket would have to figure out how to limit growth within planed growth
rates, as well as decide how the system was going to be paid for.
Non-resident voting: Sue Mueller raised the issue of non-resident taxpayers being able to
vote on financial issues. A group in New York is pushing this issue to be taken before the
Supreme Court. It was agreed that she would follow up and keep the board on the status of
this effort.
New business: Roger Ernst raised the issue of volunteers doing work in the community in
lieu of financial contributions or taxes. He agreed to outline how such a system would work
and what ACNVT role might be in getting such a project started.
Next meeting: The next ACNVT Meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 26 at the
Nantucket High School. All members who are not able to attend, please notify Roger Ernst.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Duncan "Terry" Sutphen, Secretary, pro tem
Revised July 17,2002