HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-06-11
ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF NONVOTING T AXP AYERS
Minutes of meeting at 10 A.M., SATURDAY, JUNE 11,2005, in the
Town Annex Building Meeting Room.
1. Present: Howard Blitman, Roger Ernst, Richard Melville, Bob
Shapiro, Bill Sherman, Jay Strauss, and Duncan (Terry) Sutphen.
2. Chair Roger Ernst called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. Minutes
of the 8/20, 9/10, 9/25 and 10/8/04 meetings were approved subject to
possible revision at a future meeting.
3. The Chair welcomed Bob Shapiro as the newest member of ACNVT.
4. Roger Ernst went on to state his intention not to serve a further year as
Chair, though wiling to continue as an ACNVT member. Having
reached the venerable age of 81, he encouraged younger members to
step forward with willingness to take the leadership. Terry Sutphen
similarly encouraged new leadership, not wanting, himself, to move
from Vice-Chair to serve as Chair. Terry would be willing to support
another member carrying the top leadership role. Howard Blitman put
his name in but limited to a one-year term. [Vote on new officers will
be on the July 16th agenda.]
5. Expressing concern that ACNVT become more effective, Roger
questioned whether direction of ACNVT focus could be expected
from the BOS. Terry commented that new BOS Chair Michael
Glowacki has impressed him in the organizational aspects of the BOS.
Whitey Willauer brings deep experience to the BOS. Howard Blitman
added the observation that technical/engineering talent in the island
community could be more helpful in addressing town issues if with
appropriate political sensitivity. In the past, an approach to a single
BOS member has proved fruitful.
Richard Melville saw the -100-day active period of ACNVT annual
efforts with limited resources an important constraint. Perhaps
choosing one ACNVT focus each year would help, also appointment
of a larger number of year-round voters to the ACNVT might boost its
effectiveness without deflecting from its mission of representing
summer residents. Current year-round members are David Brown,
Richard Melville, Bob Shapiro, Bill Sherman and Richard Wolfe.
Pairing year-round and summer residents as co-leaders was S
mentioned.
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Per Richard Melville, ACNVT could ask that one BOS member be
designated as liaison to the ACNVT for an improved tie. After reading
ACNVT's mission, Roger questioned whether all BOS members were
aware of its role.
6. Terry proposed concerns about on-site household septic systems as
being an appropriate focus for the upcoming FY06. A subgroup of a
few interested ACNVT members with others interested in that subject
might constitute an effective work group. Questions include pace of
Town inspections, harbor pollution solutions, effect new Title V
alternative systems might have on buildability, e.g., in Madaket. The
BOS' consideration of a $26,000 charge to 'Sconset households to
pay for their new Wastewater Treatment Facility was noted.
Another critical issue is how buildout will be impacted by current
zoning's allowance of thousands of more secondary dwellings.
Currently about 130/0 of new dwellings constructed each year are
secondary - the rest are primary dwellings.
7. Recognizing the role given by the Town Charter for one summer
representative to speak at Town Meetings, Terry had prepared to
address the October, 2004, Special Town Meeting, but debate was
closed and the strong vote against funding the Surfside Wastewater
Treatment Facility followed. No ACNVT representative attended the
April, 2005 Annual Town Meeting.
8. Approval of the 10/17/04 "Report of ACNVT for FY04" to the BOS
from Vice-Chair Terry Sutphen was noted.
9. Terry Sutphen as Community Association representative and
Secretary of the Community Coalition reported on its off-season
activities. (Bill Sherman, representing ACNVT, was off-island most
of that period.) Terry noted the genesis of the Coalition from an idea
(floated in the ACNVT by 9/9/00 note of Roger's) to strong personal
efforts by Nantucket Community Association President Dale Stoodley
(and Terry). After naming current and perspective Coalition members,
Terry spoke of the recent Coalition letter to the BOS on updating the
1993 Harbor Plan as a significant achievement of unanimity within
the Coalition's diversity. (See attachment to ACNVT minutes
transmittal e-mail.) Previously pressing for septic system inspections
in the harbor watershed may have encouraged recent Board of Health
regulations setting a timetable and penalties. Terry also gave
background of the new Save our Waterfront group, said to be
broadening from opposition to Great Harbor Yacht Club to an island-
wide mission including island beaches as well as harbor waterfront.
Bob Shapiro expressed enthusiasm about the breadth of diverse
interests brought together by the Coalition.
10.Bill Sherman noted formation ofa new Town Government Study
Committee following an Annual Town Meeting vote. (Bill thinks to
attend as a non-member citizen.)
II.Roger adjourned the meeting at 10:57 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Sherman