AT ITS MEETING FEB. 13, 2008, CONVENING AS THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS:
• Approved a letter opposing the take over of the sheriff's budget by the state. Town Counsel Paul DeRensis spoke on how the town should make its case to the state by comparing Plymouth County, which just opened a new prison and needs its sheriff's funds to run it, with the potential construction of the $28 million public safety complex and the need for Nantucket Sheriff's funds to help pay for that project.

CONVENING AS THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN;

• Accepted a $4 million gift from the sheriff to put towards the construction of the Public Safety Complex. The gift is pending approval from the County Government Review Board, which approved a similar $1 million gift the week before but requested more information prior to approving the latest gift.

• Heard a presentation from police chief William Pittman and fire Chief Mark McDougall on their need to have the public safety complex constructed. Both listed cramped quarters, inadequate training space and deplorable building conditions not meeting health and safety codes as reasons the project should move forward. Arepresentative of the design firm for the project also gave the board an update on the status of the design phase of the project as well as a list of reasons the project should be built now, rather than later, including rising construction cost, lack of other similarly sized projects in the region, creating an advantageous bidding climate for the town. The board was given an update on how the building would be built with "LEED" in mind, but would not be a certified building. LEED's is a federal building certification for environmentally friendly construction.

AT ITS MEETING TONIGHT, THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN WILL:

• Hold a public hearing to consider an application from Rusty's Outdoor Power Equipment to sell trailers.

• Hold a public hearing to consider an application by Jamie Marks for the renewal of an aquaculture license for Coskata Pond.

• Hold a public hearing to consider an increase in the room rate for residents at Our Island Home.

• Hold a public hearing for a sewer hook-up waiver on Monomoy Creek Road.

• Hold a public hearing to consider a petition from National Grid to install three new utility poles on Madaket Road.

• Hold a public hearing to consider an application for a new common victualler license for a proposed restaurant on Old South Road, in the old Black Angus building.

• Hold a public hearing to consider an alteration to a liquor license for The Galley restaurant.

• Hold a public hearing to consider an application for a local entertainment license for Lola 41.

• Discuss the 2008 Annual Town Meeting warrant articles.

- Compiled by Peter A. Sutters Jr.