HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-9-10ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF NONVOTING TAXPAYERS
Minutes of meeting 10 A.M., SATURDAY, September 10, 2011, at
2 Fairgrounds Road
1. Present: Lou Bassano, Roger Ernst, Lucas Fischer, Bill Sherman and
Harris Stone, Jay Strauss and Jim Treanor plus guest Path
Roggeveen, Chair of the Board of Health, also selectmari74-inchair of
the County Board of Commissioners as well as ExecutivgDigw-towf
the Nantucket Dreamland Foundation. M ; C>
2. Acting ACNVT Chair Jim Treanor called the meeting to-Q er at
10:02 a.m. The minutes of the August 26, 2011 meeting Zero m
approved [subject to confirmation]. C , o
3. Following introductions, Patty Roggeveen provided bacQround to her
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current role as Chair of the Board of Health. Following Aown
Meeting vote and enabling State legislation, the Board of Health
became independent of the Board of Selectmen. This fulfilled the
initiative of Town Health Officer Richard Ray and others that the
BOH might consist of health professionals appointed with a clear
focus on public health.
4. The BOH will continue the work of the BOS' Tick Borne Disease
Committee which culminated in a report last fall. Besides Patty, the
BOH consists of Malcolm McNab, MD, PhD, Helene Weld, RN, Jim
Cooper and Steven Visco. The BOH meets at 4 p.m. the second
Thursday of each month in the PSF Community Room.
5. An early concern of the BOH has been mosquito control. Particularly
helpful was a presentation by an expert from the Cape urging
preventive measures, not spraying, to keep larvae from maturing into
adults. Identifying `hot spots' guides measures such as trenching.
6. A particular recommendation is that Nantucket secure legislative
sanction for a Mosquito Control Board (similar to the Cape's) and
fund one staff person devoted to mosquito control (the Cape has a 3-
person staff). That one staff person would preferably be skilled in pest
control. Offered by the Cape expert was specialized equipment that
might be loaned from the Cape mosquito control for island use. A
further resource for the island is the Maria Mitchell Association.
7. The Town's Health Department headed by Richard Ray is currently
understaffed, facing too many demands, especially in summer season,
including health code violations by rental housing, licensing, etc.
8. Roger Ernst recalled that the island had a mosquito commissioner in
the 20s or 30s.
9. The final report of the TBD Committee urged stronger programs for
educating the public about TBD, more accurate reporting of cases by
the hospital and physicians, also bring deer population down to a more
tolerable level, e.g., by extending the bow - hunting season. The
deployment of four posters and Damminix tubes was encouraged.
I O.Patty also spoke of BOH concerns about wastewater and solid waste
issues. Based on the estuaries report, a separate wastewater treatment
facility for Madaket seems less likely as would be piping wastewater
to the Surfside plant. Current efforts are focused on repair of failed
septic systems or their replacement with alternative systems (which
might prove problematic in the long term). Updating the island's
wastewater management plan is a priority. If a wastewater facility is
not to be sited on the FAA land, the GSA may be obligated to put the
land up for bid. That would test the ability of the Land Bank and
private sources to prevail over development to assure open land there.
11.As to funding wastewater facilities, a current Town bylaw requires a
property owner to hook up to an available public sewer. In the case of
the Monomoy sewer extension, cost was put on the general tax levy.
12.After current mining at the landfill is completed, all cells will be lined
to minimize leaching into groundwater. Sand recovered by mining has
proved of value. Accumulated construction & demolition debris likely
will be shipped off island. The BOH is mindful of arguments in favor
of high - temperature gasification and of newer composting
technologies implemented by Waste Options elsewhere. (The BOS is
responsible for contract relations with Waste Options.)
13.Visiting nurse services from the Cape seem promising.
14. Questioned about the Dreamland project, Patty expressed hope that it
would open by May, 2012 and for the 2012 Film Festival. She
described features such as space for art house cinema and programs
such as the `Day on Nantucket,' 24 hours recorded by amateurs. By
calling 508- 232 -4822, a tour could be arranged.
15.Bill Sherman spoke of an idea using bike rental companies' trucks to
transport bikes out to the start point of island bike paths and arranging
taxi or other transportation for bikers to that point. Return of bikes and
bikers would be organized responsive to a cellphone call. Town Clerk
Catherine Stover suggested a `bike depot' near the Rotary where
bikers could get bikes specific to the respective companies. Patty
expressed hope that funding might be found to complete the proposed
in -town path using the old railroad right -of -way — a better answer to
safety concerns. Patty left the meeting —11:08 a.m.
16.After finding insufficient member interest to call a further meeting,
this meeting was adjourned at 11:12 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Sherman, Secretary
Draft minutes submitted to Town Clerk 9/23 /11
Minutes adopted 6/30/12