HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-09-27
ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF NONVOTING TAXPAYERS
Minutes of meeting 10:00 A.M., SATURDAY, September 27, 2008, in
the
2 Fairgrounds Road Conference Room.
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1. Present: David Brown, Bill Sherman, Jay Strauss, and JiniTreano,~
2. Vice-Chair Jim Treanor called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. J11e
minutes of the 9/13/08 meeting were approved subject toratificatit'n
at our next meeting (the first in 2009). ~~
3. Our Vice-Chair Jim Treanor reported on his attending the BaS N
meeting of 9/24/08, where the BaS in its capacity as the Board of
Health took up concerns about tick-borne diseases ("TBD", reported
extensively in the I&M of 9/25/08). Their addressing this problem is
one positive outcome of the Summer Forum co-sponsored by the
ACNVT with NCA. The need was recognized for greater certainty of
the science involved, e.g., would the diseases be eradicated if deer
were not available as a vector for the ticks? Use of saltlicks
impregnated with a contraceptive was one possible approach for
reducing the estimated 3000 deer on island. David Brown noted that
NCA would be providing the Steamship Authority with reprints of a
pamphlet to alert incoming visitors of the risk of tick bites. Copies
will also be offered the HyLine and the Visitors Center. The BaS is to
set up a panel to delve further into the TBD options. Jim plans to keep
in touch with Health Officer Richard Ray.
4. Jim undertook to draft a letter from ACNVT to the BaS commending
their support of, and response to the Summer Forum - especially their
efforts in addressing TBD issues. [Buzz Goodall of NCA reported on
the latest meeting on TBD instigated by the BaS, as follows: I
attended the meeting last night with some 30 other souls (3 NCA
Board types). Three selectmen and Richard Ray were there. The
stated purpose was to gather input from the citizens of Nantucket to
put together a multipronged attack on TBD. The two "camps" were
there with Carol Black and Beverly McLaughlin passing out
information and Tim Lepore speaking about the need to reduce the
herd. All acknowledged that education was an important part of any
effort and further that the science of the role of deer is not clear, but
the need for action of some sort was real. There will be more
meetings and for at least one of them "experts" will be brought in.
The problem is funding. There is no money in the budget.]
5. With Jim's drafting and support, ACNVT's FY08 annual report is
ready to be sent by our Chair Howard Blitman to the Town. All
annual reports are published at the time of April Town Meeting:
copies are free at the Town Meeting and afterward at the Town
building.
6. Taking up our concern about clear cutting of natural vegetation on lots
being developed, the hope is now to get an appropriate zoning article
on the warrant for the FY2010 Annual Town Meeting. Appreciation
was expressed for the efforts of Lucas Fischer in moving this and
other concerns forward.
7. Jim will contact the Town's webmaster Linda Rhodes to get posted on
the ACNVT page some of the results of our efforts this summer.
8. The meeting was adjourned shortly before 11 :00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Sherman, Secretary
Proposed agenda items to carry over to summer 2009 ACNVT meetings:
. Summer Town Forum for August 2009
. Code enforcement czar
. Zoning for secondary dwellings
· Zoning to curb clearing all native vegetation from a development
site
. Auto limitations, e.g., any progress by the Downtown
Revitalization Committee or New Urban Institute?
· Meeting with NHA and NHO representatives on island housing
· Position on extending guest house room occupancy tax to vacation
home rentals - or other alternative Town revenue sources
. Developing ACNVT web site