I ON SELECTMEN AT ITS MEETING ON JULY 12 THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
+ Heard complaints during the public comment period from Fairgrounds Road resident Marcia Aguiar who said the soil along the new bikepath is contaminated with Japanese knotweed, an invasive plant, and she is concerned it will spread to residential yards. "I think this is a result of ignorance and apathy," she said, noting that knotweed roots spread underground similarly to poison ivy and in 10 years the situation will be difficult to correct. "This soil needs to be sterilized in some way before it's reused. I would like a plan. I'm not going to go away. I'm going to pursue this."

DougBennett

+ Learned that bids for the Surfside Wastewater Treatment Facility upgrade opened on June 13 exceeded the $35.5 million amount appropriated by Town Meeting 2005. Jeff Willett, director of the Department of Public Works, said available funding totals $30 million. Because costs for materials have risen the low bid is about $12 million beyond the anticipated cost. He suggested eliminating some expenditures such as possibly employee housing on the property and waiting until after this October's Special Town Meeting to award the contract. Voters will be asked to approve an override to cover the escalated expense. Town Administrator Libby Gibson said the override will also need to pass muster at a Special Town Election, which may or may not be held prior to the Town Meeting.

MikeGlowacki

+ Reviewed FY08 preliminary budget projections during a presentation by Finance Director Connie Voges. Though she said a lot of information will remain unknown until the fall, she estimated that total expenditures for FY08 will be $70.9 million, a nine percent increase from FY04. Real estate and personal property tax rates may increase annually by 2.5 percent.

+ Discussed tracking and implementation of the selectmen's goals and objectives for 2006 2007. Chairman Whitey Willauer characterized the goals and objectives as "a stretch" for 2006 2007 because each objective will require action initiatives. "Clearly there is a ways to go, but hopefully we're getting a foothold on this stuff," he said. The six goals are to improve administrative management; improve fiscal management; improve and protect water quality; enhance quality of life for residents and visitors; improve infrastructure; and manage growth. Selectman Michael Glowacki asked that the second Wednesday of each month be dedicated to board initiatives and proposed that the agenda contain discussion on three topics to get rolling: improving the budget management system; investigating auto limits; and clarifying internal policy on town and country zoning districts.

WhiteyWillauer

+ In selectmen's reports, Michael Kopko suggested moving the selectmen's meeting time from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m., a proposal he said was favored by the staff and Tom McGlinn who video tapes the sessions for televising at 8 p.m. Though Kopko wanted the change to be effective tonight, both Glowacki and audience member Phil Gallagher suggested deferring a decision one week to allow the public to comment on the change.

AT ITS MEETING TONIGHT, JULY 19, THE SELECTMEN WILL:

+ Hear an application from Nantucket Cottage Hospital for a public assembly permit for the Boston Pops on August 12 pertaining to a potential change of venue from Jetties Beach because of nesting piping plovers. Community Relations director Chuck Gifford said the change will not be necessary now, but the hospital is seeking approval for an alternate Tom Nevers location if the situation arises again.

BrianChadwick

+ Hear a request to alter the automatic amusement devices license for The Brotherhood on Broad Street.

+ Hear an application for an entertainment and automatic amusement license from Christopher Roche, manager at Cap'n Tobey's Chowder House on Straight Wharf.

+ Hold a public hearing, continued from June 21, to consider fee increases for hard to manage waste at the landfill and to include residential construction and demolition materials within the commercial rate.

+ Hold a public hearing on instituting an annual consumer price index (CPI) increase for all landfill user fees. The town's contract with landfill operator Waste Options requires an annual CPI raise.

+ Hold a hearing to consider an appeal from Harvey P. Eisen and Andrea Herron on a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic District Commission for 67 Quidnet Road.

+ Take action on a proposal to change the selectmen's meeting start time from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. + Determine an action plan and milestones for objectives relating to the selectmen's goals.

MikeKopko

CONVENING AS THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, MEMBERS WILL:

+ Hold a public hearing on taking portions of Tennessee Ave., H and K streets for use as public ways.

- Compiled by Mary Lancaster