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Public Safety Building Committee
Meeting Minutes
December 19, 2007
7:40 PM Holden Municipal Light Department
Present: Peter Liddy, Mary Ryan, Karl Makela, Rick Bates, Chief Sherrill, Chief Chandler, Christopher Lucchesi, David White
Absent: Bob Beck, Brian Forts, Hal Lane
Others Present: Erik Radvon, Worcester Telegram, Otto Lies, Sheila Bachant, Ben Woodbury, Ed Myers, David Ellis, Jonathan Phelps, Suzy Schuck, KB Associates
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 PM.
Approval of previous meeting minutes:
There was no quorum to accept prior meeting minutes.
Public Comment:
Ben Woodburg addressed the meeting in a speech recommending that we "STOP" and ask Select Board for guidance. See attached speech.
Comments from the Chair:
General Discussion:
Brian Bullock spoke to financial implications, Fin Com, and an IIF meeting (Infrastructure Investment Fund). Several scenarios were reviewed and a vote was taken by the IIF endorsing 5 million dollars through IIF and taking out a loan for the balance at 4.25% interest rate. He delivered facts and figures on the effects of a 20-year loan to fund the building would impact tax bills. Spreadsheets delivered by Brian showed the cost breaking down to a 39 cent increase per $1000 of valuation a change from the 37 cent per $1000 currently. Based on the average house value estimated by the town, the median tax hike would amount to $122 per house per year. In addition, the impact of the $460k earmarked communications grant for Holden still needs to be determined.
Chairman Christopher Lucchesi questioned whether IIF should be used for this project. It is concluded that IIF is the correct course; but do people understand the IIF? Brian's plan works, but it can be confusing to some people.
Suzy Schuck, marketing expert from Kaestle Boos, presented the committee with several options for getting information about the public safety building to voters. The content should be objective with various ways for the public to access it, such as brochures, information boards in town buildings, letters to the editor, web sites, and meetings. Lucchesi acknowledges that some of these things can be done but some can not. Kaestle Boos will provide some marketing services as part of the project's cost. Not included are printing, distribution and Web hosting fees, for which the town would be resposible. The company can create the website and update it. www.nantucketpublicsafety.com. A book of samples was handed out.
Mary Ryan - brought up and discussed some Talking Points, see attached handout.
New Business:
C. Lucchesi sent David White an email about the meeting with the Board of Selectmen. A meeting is in the works possibly for January 9, 2008. D. White to get a packet containing floor plans, sketches, questions and answers and costs, out to each Board of Selectmen to review. Peter Liddy, states that is a good idea and a meeting should be scheduled after the Board of Selectmen's meeting. Karl Makela questions what happens if only 4 out of 5 selectmen support the project. D. White stated that unanimous support would be great but not necessary to succeed. There is a need to move forward and it can be won. Possible dates for the town meeting and special election were discussed. A final decision was pushed off until the January 2nd meeting.
The next regular scheduled meeting will be changed to 6:00 pm time slot on January 2 with a special meeting with the Board of Selectmen to be held on January 9.
Public Comment:
Ben Woodbury expressed concerns with IIF. He spoke of a time when he asked a question 2 years ago and it took that long to get an answer. If IIF is funding 5 million and the rest of the building is $10 million, he questions why $15,000 debt exclusion vote. He feels it needs to be able to be explained. He felt it was encouraging that there were going to be talks with Board of Selectmen. He read a prepared statement, saying that until the committee figures out which town leaders supported the project and which would rally against it, all they had was a collection of plans. For complete comments see attached reference.
Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.
Approved: February 6, 2008
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