HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-9-5ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF NONVOTING TAXPAYERS
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Minutes of meeting 10 A.M., SATURDAY, September 5, 2015, at G
4 Fairgrounds Road No C,
1.
Attending: Howard Blitman, David Brown, Don Green, Peter Kahn,
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Bill Sherman, Jay Strauss and Tony Walsh, plus guests selectman
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Dawn Hill Holdgate and ACNVT applicant Peter Halle. Members
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absent: Lou Bassano, Lucas Fischer and Sue Matloff.
2.
ACNVT Chair Jay Strauss opened the meeting at 10:04 a.m. and,
noting that a quorum of 8 was not yet present, invited any
corrections to the 8/15/15 minutes for later approval. Hearing none,
he went on to introduce our guest, selectman Dawn Hill Holdgate.
She explained that she had worked in island real estate and had
served on the board of Housing Nantucket (HN).
3.
She summarized the state of affordable workforce housing on
island, noting Sachem Path as one project underway. 40B projects
include the proposed Surfside Commons, and on the former
Glowacki property the projects of the Richmond Group, including
another to be announced soon. The latter is expected to bring
affordable island housing up to 8 %, two points short of the state
mandated 10 %.
4.
Don Green asked about covenant housing and the perception that it
may not be wanted in a neighborhood. Dawn identified as covenant
housing that which was recently authorized under zoning, e.g.,
allowing a lot with secondary dwelling to be split provided the
secondary dwelling were put under covenant assuring future
affordability. No adverse neighborhood reaction has been heard.
[For details, see
http://www.housingnantucket.org/homeownership.html
That website notes sewer treatment capacity, etc.]
5.
Howard Blitman expressed objection to using the Town's open 6
acres at 4 Fairgrounds Road for other than affordable employee
housing, i.e., not for siting a new Our Island Home. Dawn
explained the need for a new location for the OIH, also her dream
of using the present OIH site as a center for many different
municipal purposes that could benefit from a harbor -front presence.
Locating the OIH at Sherburne Commons is still under
consideration but a number of issues would be raised, as noted in
this week's I &M. Don Green added that the assisted living
accommodations of Sherburne Commons might seem less attractive
if paired with OIH. Alternatively, a new OIH might be at Wyer's
Valley or on a parcel swapped with the Land Bank. Relocating the
OIH inland closer to the Landmark House (which is for 55 +) is not
thought feasible.
6. Howard had reported meeting with Anne Kuszpa, Executive
Director of Housing Nantucket, offering her his insights on how an
island nonprofit such as HN could get 100% financing for a project
with all units affordable, either from the Massachusetts Housing
Authority or the Federal Housing Authority. [Such tapping of
Howard's know -how was the main recommendation of the draft
letter to the BOS.]
7. Dawn expressed concern that updating of the Town's 2009 Housing
Production Plan was lagging. [For that very detailed plan, see
http: / /www. mass. gov /hed /docs /dhcd /cd/pp /nantucket.pdf ]
8. Lacking a quorum no action was taken on the draft letter offering
our affordable housing recommendations to the BOS.
9. At 10:42 a.m., Howard Blitman left.
10. Turning to traffic issues, Dawn spoke of proposed roundabouts, one
at the Bartlett Road intersection with Surfside Road, another at the
Sparks Avenue intersection. Proffers linked to Richmond Group
projects might lead to a widened Old South Road and paving of
Lovers Lane (though unpopular with abutters). Don Green urged
paving of Somerset Road to provide an alternative to Hummock
Pond Road.
I I.Planned is an extension of sewer service to the Somerset Road area,
also to Madaket and Monomoy. If acted upon soon, state financing
with 0% interest would be available. Under BOS discussion is an
allocation of sewer extension cost either 50:50 or with 60% charged
to abutters as betterments and the remaining 40% from the general
tax levy. Hopefully 30 -year financing will be available, versus
present 20 -year.
12. Tony Walsh asked about the bike path proposed to accompany
Town paving of the Boulevarde. That led to a quick review of other
plans including a path across Chicken Hill to get bikes off of
narrow, busy Prospect Street.
13.Peter Halle spoke of his success in alerting the DPW to vegetative
encroachments on Town right -of -ways by sending photos, with
quick results. Tony Walsh noted a similar problem on the
Boulevarde.
14.13ill Sherman urged that the Town find added revenue to fund
projects urgently needed to keep traffic congestion tolerable for
seasonal as well as year -round residents. Dawn noted pending
efforts toward legislation to allow extension of the Room
Occupancy Tax with local option. A home rule petition voted at the
2015 Annual Town Meeting would give the Town the option of
increasing the real- estate tax exemption up to 30 %, potentially
allowing an increase in the general levy without undue impact on
year -round taxpayers. A wish for greater seasonal resident say in
Town fiscal decisions was voiced.
15.Dawn Hill Holdgate left at 10:56 a.m. following expression of
thanks for her gift of time and thoughts.
16.Don asked that the draft letter to the BOS commend affordable
ownership units (single- family homes, condos) as well as rentals.
17.Chair Jay Strauss set the next ACNVT meeting for June 25, 2016.
18.The meeting was adjourned at 11:03 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Sherman, Secretary
Draft minutes e- distributed 9/5/15. Minutes adopted 7/16/16,
posted 7/20/16 and hard copy submitted to Town Clerk 7/20/16