AT ITS MEETING TONIGHT, JANUARY 23, THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN CONVENING AS THE BOARD OF HEALTH WILL:
• Hear three requests for variances from tight tank requirements.

• Hear a request from Island Fruit and Produce for relief from installation of impervious flooring required by the Federal Food Service Code.

• Hear concerns from the board.

CONVENING AS THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEMBERS WILL: • Hear a sewer rate study update. • Hear a departmental overview from the Parks and Recreation Commission. • Adopt the 2008 Annual Town Meeting and election warrants. • Discuss the selectmen's development of a vision statement for strategic planning.

AT ITS MEETING JAN. 16, THE BOARD FIRST CONVENED AS THE NANTUCKET REGIONALTRANSITAUTHORITY ADVISORY BOARD AND:

• Unanimously approved a request from NRTA administrator Paula Leary to endorse the concept for development of 10 - 12 Washington St. as a transportation hub for shuttle buses. Leary proposes to use the site for seven of NRTA's nine buses, in the short term relocating the airport and Surfside Beach buses to that location from the current parking spot at the corner of Main and Washington streets for the 2008 season. Removal of the free-standing shed on the lot will be required to accommodate the buses. The mid-term goal is to use the summer period to gain public input on the project. The long term goal is to consolidate all Washington Street stops on the site. A plan for operations developed between Leary, the Planning Department and property owner Greenhound LLC will be presented to the board at a later date. "This is the gateway into downtown and this is the opportunity to make this a gateway to the downtown," said Planning Director Andrew Vorce. "This is the right place to put this facility."

CONVENING AS THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN, MEMBERS:

• Welcomed Malachy Rice as the new Assistant Town Manager.

• Voted 4 to 1 (Chadwick abstained) to accept a sewer easement grant for properties in the Abrem Quary subdivision.

• Unanimously approved service area changes for the Bamboo Supper Club contingent on sign-off approvals from public officials. The board learned that handicap access for the premises at 2 Chin's Way must still be addressed, and that it will take until May before sprinkler and fire systems are brought up to code to allow expanded use of the building's second floor.

• Voted 4 to 1 (Kopko opposed) to approve granting a seasonal wine and malt package store license to Beth English, doing business as Current Vintage at 4 Easy St. During the lengthy discussion opposition was heard from a number of people including Curtis Barnes who does not believe the island needs more seasonal package stores and attorney Wayne Holmes representing the owners of Nantucket's five yearround package stores. Holmes also noted that increasing access to alcohol will in turn increase the burden for local health agencies trying to help people cope with substance abuse issues. Karyn Lindsay, president of the Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, echoed that stance, particularly as it pertains to the community's concerns about underage drinking.

• Voted 3 to 2 (Willauer and Reinhard opposed) to approve granting a seasonal all alcoholic beverages package store license to Jonas Baker, owner of Slip 14 cafe on Old South Wharf, for a liquor store business at 5 Salem St. Baker told the board that the first question he hears from summer visitors is whether they can be seated for dinner and the second question is where they can find a package store.

• Unanimously approved continuing the application from A.C.D.C. Promotions (David Cantella) for a seasonal wine and malt package store license for a business at 1 North Beach St. The hearing will be held Feb. 20.

• Held a long and at times contentious hearing on an appeal filed by Holly and Mark Pagon regarding a certificate of appropriateness granted by the Historic District Commission for renovations of the Ritchie property at 29 Baxter Road. The selectmen upheld the HDC's decision with a 3 to 2 vote (Kopko and Willauer opposed) after a motion by Kopko to remand the matter to the HDC for a hearing failed to pass. Though opponents of the work, which included changing the house's shape, removing its original chimney and altering its courtyard, charged that the HDC ignored the significance of the 20th century building, the selectmen's determination was based on whether the HDC's decision was arbitrary and capricious and if it was made according to commission guidelines.

- Compiled by Mary Lancaster