I ON SELECTMEN
AT ITS MEETING OF JUNE 27, THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN, CONVENING AS THE BOARD OFHEALTH:
+ Unanimously approved a variance for 56 Starbuck Road, which has a failed well. + Unanimously approved a variance for 21 Washington Ave., for a failed well.

PattyRoggeveen

+ Heard from Health Inspector Richard Ray that the draft Estuaries Report for Sesachacha Pond and Nantucket Harbor has been returned with selectmen's comments to the Department of Environmental Protection contracting agency associated with the project at its headquarters at UMass Dartmouth. Ray anticipates a meeting with the agency on Nantucket in mid-August with the final version of the report to follow shortly after that date.

+ Heard that selectmen met recently with Ray to discuss the Health Department's proposed changes to rental regulations. The selectmen concluded that at this time the board wishes to have the department continue its current monitoring system of appropriate rental situations before adopting new regulations. Ray said that in June his office received three complaints about sub-standard housing that it is verifying, but that the numbers of complaints are low because tenants feel they have no available alternatives in the island market.

AllenReinhard

CONVENING AS THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS:

+ Unanimously approved a request from National Grid for an easement at 62 Fairgrounds Road for utility installations.

+ Unanimously approved an easement grant in conjunction with Planning Board conditions for a Rosemary Way subdivision.

+ Unanimously approved a Land Court plan to confirm the roadway boundaries in the Rosemary Way subdivision.

+ Unanimously approved acceptance of funding from the Nantucket Sheriff's Office to be used for the transfer of a vehicle to the fire department, firearms for the police department and computer equipment purchases for the upcoming central dispatch system.

CONVENING AS THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN:

+ Unanimously approved a Finance Department request to enter into short-term borrowing for 2005, 2006 and 2007 Town Meeting-approved projects.

+ Unanimously approved a preservation restriction for the Nantucket Youth Hostel in Surfside to protect the exterior of the main building and two accessory buildings. The restriction will be held by the town with approval and enforcement by the Historic District Commission. Selectman Allen Reinhard noted that this hostel is the only former life-saving station still resting on its original foundation.

+ Unanimously approved School Superintendent Robert Pellicone's request for a letter of support from the town to the School Building Assistance Bureau. Pellicone explained that state funds are needed for long-term local projects including new science labs in response to increased system enrollment. Specifically, he said options to enhance the schools include creating two facilities for the elementary grade levels, reorganizing that main school's cafeteria, adding a gym for the early childhood group and installing a sprinkler system. Pellicone said the middle school is undersized, and reorganization considerations there include music, art and language rooms as well as a library separate from the high school library. He also proposes that the Community School office be moved from the middle school to a small addition off the pool room. At the high school, Pellicone would like to reconfigure science labs and classrooms so some of the classrooms are better suited for smaller student populations. Pellicone's preliminary projected cost for the entire project, looking three years into the future, is $34 million, though the state may contribute $10 million. He told the board that one of the system's consultants termed this "a very competitive process" because there are nearly 200 schools applying for funding within the upcoming month.

+ Unanimously approved a National Grid easement request for utility installation at the Surfside Wastewater Treatment Facility.

+ Unanimously approved an easement grant in conjunction with Planning Board conditions for a Rosemary Way subdivision.

+ Heard that the Town Government Study Committee recently held its last meeting and will now "fade into the sunset until 2010," according to Selectman chair Whitey Willauer, who was a member of the committee and said its chair Allen Reinhard should be commended "for running a tight ship." He also praised the TGSC because several of its recommendations are already being incorporated into town government.

BrianChadwick

Note: There will be no meeting of the selectmen on Wed., July 4 due to the holiday.

Clarification: In last week's selectmen's column there was a brief report on articles for the July 26, 2007 Special Town Meeting warrant. It was incorrectly stated that if Rose and Crown and Foood for Here and There owner Rick Ulmer buys the Dreamland Theater, an option he is exploring, the article related to the town's purchase of the theater would be removed from the warrant. Selectman Michael Kopko said it would be illegal to remove the article, and that the town seeks voter approval of the concept of municipal ownership in the event that Ulmer chooses not to make the purchase.

- Compiled by Mary Lancaster

MikeKopko