2008 A Look Ahead
Government
Government on Nantucket is rarely dull, and the potential calendar of actions expected to take shape in the new year is no exception. Among some of the biggest topics is the upcoming town election on Tuesday, April 15. Both incumbent selectmen Whitey Willauer and Brian Chadwick say they intend to run again.

The selectmen will be heavily involved in comprehensive strategic planning during the new year, with many items to be examined that correspond to the board's goals: improve fiscal management; improve infrastructure; improve and protect our water and coastal resources; enhance quality of life for residents and visitors; address housing and manage growth.

Under the latter category, the board wants to define managed growth and study the island's primary revenue sources and sources of work. Under housing, the matter of whether to implement rental regulations must be decided. If approved, landlords of dwellings leased for 30 days or more will have to be licensed and have the premises inspected. Under quality of life, the issue of reducing the deer population will arise again, shoreline erosion will be examined and a decision will be reached on whether the island wants a health clinic. The board will also look at whether the HDC, Planning Board and SHAB should be appointed, elected or designed as a hybrid, and whether annual overrides or one large override should be considered. The board will also examine alternative energy sources and paving "country" roads.

The town will be investigating ways to bring in extra revenue in 2008, such as extending lodging fees to include seasonal rental houses and by possibly building wind turbines at the landfill that would power the operation and produce electricity the town could sell. That is aside from the continuing investigation into gasification at the landfill, and seeking ways to eliminate the majority of trucking costs to dispose of materials off-island and creating power as a byproduct of the process. To that end, the town will look for a business consultant to provide options for ways to structure a contractural or other arrangement for construction and operation of a gasification facility.

Pending passage of the Sewer Act, the selectmen will discuss how to implement a Sewer Authority Commission to regulate hook-ups. If the Act does not pass the legislature before it recesses, the proposal will probably be brought up for reaffirmation at April's Town Meeting, which begins Monday, April 7.

Sizable capital projects will come up in 2008, including funding needed for construction of the proposed public safety complex at 2 Fairgrounds Road. The design was funded through the 2005 Town Meeting, but $27 million to $30 million will be required for the actual building. A portion of that cost is expected to be offset by deeds excise revenue.

Additional action slated for the new year includes professional development programs through Suffolk University that will allow town department heads, and possibly some non-town department heads to obtain certificates in public management. The concept of a centralized town vehicle fleet maintenance and management program should be decided in 2008 when a feasibility study is completed. Other centralization options include purchasing and department

consolidations. I

- Mary Lancaster