I ON SELECTMEN
AT ITS MEETING DEC. 6, THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
• Heard an announcement that Department of Public Works director Jeff Willett received the 2006 James J. Courchaine Collection Systems award from the New England Water Environment Association for outstanding efforts in the operation, maintenance and management or design of a wastewater collection system.

CatherineStover

• Renewed annual licenses for liquor, entertainment, vehicle rentals, vehicle sales, mobile food services, flowers and produce services and common victuallers, with the exception of The Muse liquor license. Selectman Brian Chadwick asked Police Chief William Pittman to bring the board up to date on complaints about The Muse and other establishments. Pittman said The Muse is the main source of complaints but that his department is working satisfactorily with its management. Granting the nightclub’s license renewal was tabled until this week when Pittman will present a report on complaint details.

• Denied 4 - 1 (Bennett favored the waiver) a citizen request for partial waiver of a water bill for 135 Orange St.

• Approved 3 - 2 (Chadwick and Bennett opposed) a Nantucket Housing Office request for $8,000 from the town to help fund advocacy services for implementation of the Nantucket Housing Bank legislation. Housing Office executive director Leedara Zola explained that the advocacy budget is set at $65,000 and that the NHO intends to fund $25,000 of that total to be used for a legislative consultant and local staffing needs to assist securing the Bank passage in the legislature. The remainder is sought through leadership donors such as the town and business supporters donating at tiered levels. The current concept of a Nantucket Community Housing Bank was approved by voters at the October Special Town Meeting. It would be funded through a one percent fee imposed on sellers of real estate priced at more than $2 million and would be used to create affordable housing opportunities for islanders earning up to $122,825 annually. Chadwick was opposed because he is uncertain whether town monies should be used for lobbying purposes, though Selectman Mike Kopko explained that the funds could come from a selectmen’s fund used for consultants. Bennett was opposed because he said he believes the money would be better spent constructing a new affordable home.

DougBennett

• Accepted a resignation from the Finance Committee from Lindsey Perry, who is living off-island. The board will send him a letter of appreciation for his service.

WhiteyWillauer

• Heard a departmental overview from the Historic District Commission. Administrator Mark Voigt said the island’s HDC is the busiest in the state averaging 70 applications per week. The next two busiest offices are in Cambridge and Boston.

• Heard FY08 general fund budget recommendations from Town Adminsitrator Libby Gibson, who stressed that some figures will change as the budget process continues. The budget, projected at revenues equaling about $70 million with expenses just below that number, is essentially balanced with no new hires planned, said Gibson, but a gap of approximately $2.5 million exists because of departmental supplemental requests. If costs in some areas can be reduced it may be possible to fund some of the supplementals from the general budget. Barbara Gookin, a member of the Energy Study Committee, registered concern that no supplemental funds are being recommended for the committee to establish an energy aggregate, as was voted for at Town Meeting. Selectman Stover said she would like to explore that funding through an override.

BrianChadwick

On Wednesday, Dec. 13 the board will meet with legislators at 12:30 p.m. in the Land Bank conference room to discuss the proposed Siasconset Erosion Control project and pending or potential legislation for a Community Housing Bank and seasonal rental tax.

AT ITS REGULAR 6 P.M. MEETING DEC. 13, MEMBERS WILL: • Hear an update on the new roundabout from Transportation Planner Mike Burns. • Continue the hearing on approving renewal of the annual liquor license for The Muse.

• Continue the hearing to consider granting a building permit to Nantucket Homes for People ahead of its sewer connection permit.

• Hear a Town Clerk’s request for appointment of election officers. • Hear a report from the Sewer Advisory Committee. • Review the FY08 general fund budget. • Hear reports from selectmen as representatives on other committees and work groups. • Review the FY08 solid waste and sewer enterprise fund budgets. • Review the five-year general fund budget forecast. • Review the status of the town’s 2 Fairgrounds Road development.

MikeKopko

— Compiled by Mary Lancaster