November 9, 2024

 

 

The meeting was held at Hy-Line Landing conference room, 220 Ocean Street, Hyannis, Massachusetts, and called to order at 12:03 PM by President Bill Hathaway.  Board members present were:  Bill Hathaway (C14), and Tammy Rausch (F10, C21).  Board members Kerric Harvey (D11, D12, E15), Bob Vanasse (E9, E10), Ranelle Brew (B20, D22, D23) and Gloria Kunz (C16) attended via Go to Meeting conference.

 

Roll Call: Roll call was done by owners’ introduction.  William and Rosa Gargano (A8), Patty Rottmeier (A14), Richard and Tom Sambuco (B7, B8, C5), Patricia Catchpole (A6), and Marty and Sue DeMartino (A11) attended in person. Chris Acker (A2, A3) and Laureen Smith (E15), joined via conference.  A total of 93 intervals were represented in person, by conference or by proxy, forming a quorum representing 64.5% of owners.

 

Proof of Notice of Meeting: Notices to all owners, 2023 annual meeting minutes, owners’ directories, financials and Board candidate resumes were sent via email and hard copy by Tracy Canty.  Bill Hathaway requested a motion to waive the reading of the 2023 minutes, Marty DeMartino (A11) so moved, seconded by Tammy Rausch (C21, F10) and unanimously approved. The minutes of the preceding year were passed to record.

 

Officers’ Reports: President: 

• The Board holds regular meetings via Zoom teleconference the third Tuesday of every month commencing at 7:00 PM.
• All is well at Mariner House, with minor repair and legal issues being handled. There have been no major problems at Mariner House this year.
• The 2024 objectives of painting the India Street side of the structure and installation of copper gutters have been achieved.
• After serving as Board President for the past 12 years, and Treasurer before that, I am not running for re-election, as it is time to pass to a new generation of owners.

 

Treasurer:

 

• The Mariner House Association continues to be in a very sound financial position for 2024, thanks in large part to Tracy Canty’s continued fiscal management of the historic property.
• This past year we have experienced increasing operating costs in some areas, such as housecleaning, electricity, and cable services. We completed the gutter replacement project on the India Street side, and the remainder of the house will be completed in 2025. This capital improvement project will cost $17,500.
• By year end, our operating account balance will be approximately $261K; our capital improvement account approximately $42.6K; and our emergency fund account approximately $83.6K.
• In the proposed 2025 budget, you will be pleased to know that we were able to keep the annual maintenance fees flat, partially due to our surplus funds. We were also able to transfer $18K in surplus funds to the emergency account. Under capital improvements, there will be a slight assessment fee to cover the cost of the gutter replacement project.
• The Mariner House Board of Directors, along with Tracy, will continue to make sound and prudent decisions, approving expenditures and projects for Mariner House while maintaining its unique and historical character.

 

Secretary:

 

• The Board holds monthly meetings via Zoom teleconference, with special meetings being held on an as-needed basis.
• Minutes are posted on the Mariner House website under the owners’ portal.

 

Property Manager Report:  Tracy Canty

 

ISLAND INFO

• Voters shot down potential short-term rental regulations for the 5^thtime in the past 4 years.

 

• • • Article 1 – which has been described by supporters as a compromise proposal – was a zoning bylaw amendment drafted by the Select Board and a group of citizens that would have placed some limits on short-term rentals and written them into the Nantucket zoning code as an allowed use in all residential districts. Despite earning the endorsement of the Select Board, Planning Board, and Finance Committee, Article 1 was soundly defeated, with 416 votes in favor and 472 votes opposed. It had required a two-thirds majority vote, so the article was rejected by a wide margin.

• Article 2, an accessory short-term rental zoning bylaw amendment proposed by island resident Charity Benz and the Put Nantucket Neighborhoods First group, fared better than Article 1 but was also defeated by voters despite earning a majority. The proposal would have allowed short-term rentals as an accessory use – meaning an owner would have to use their property as their primary residence for more days than they rented it. The final vote on Article 2 was 478 – 394. It garnered the support of 55 percent of those in attendance, but as a zoning bylaw amendment, it required a two-thirds majority, a threshold of 581 votes that was not met.

 

Note that while this issue may affect Mariner House rentals in the future, there will be no change in our rental policies or operation.

 

• Vineyard Vines Turbine Blade collapsed into the Atlantic on July 13. The company notified the town two days later, just as pieces of the blade began washing up on shore. Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus Moeller identified those shards as nontoxic, though that definition has also been called into question. GE Vernova officials claimed the blade failure was an isolated event and “not a fundamental design flaw.” In a July earnings call, CEO Scott Strazik blamed the event on a “material deviation or a manufacturing deviation in one of our factories that, through the inspection or quality assurance process, we should have identified.”

The Nantucket Select Board is actively working to address the situation. Among the several steps the town is taking to address the fallout include hiring a nationally recognized expert to evaluate the damage and engaging directly with Vineyard Wind and GE Vernova, the manufacturer of the turbine blades. The chair acknowledged that while legal options are available, the town’s focus remains on resolving the issue through negotiations.

• Sewer work continues on island
• The Main Street Fountain Monument was destroyed by a pick-up truck; it has been repaired and reinstalled. No charges were levied against the suspect.
• The Sconset Market has been sold to Sconset Trust.  It will continue to operate as a market.
• Geo tubes are being installed in Sconset as part of the beach preservation project to mitigate erosion.
• SSA has had many boat cancellations due to staffing shortages and mechanical issues.
• Electrical Cable #2 was down for two weeks causing concern. National grid brought in 11 massive generators to ensure continued service. It has recently been brought back on line.
• The Select Board approved a 17% taxi rate and the expansion of the pedicab service from 2 pedicabs to 4. They also approved an increase in the operation area to Cisco Brewers and up to Milestone Rotary for the pedicab. Pedicabs will now be fare based not gratuity based.
• DUI’s are up 40% on the Island due to “more proactive stops” by NPD.

 

• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is proposing a new rule that would limit the speed of vessels in Nantucket Sound to 10 knots (about 11.5 miles per hour) from November 1 to May 30. This rule would apply to vessels that are 35 feet or longer and would impact ferry service to Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and Provincetown.The Town of Nantucket issued an urgent public plea, one echoed by the island’s boat lines and business owners. Officials are asking for the public’s help in preventing the federal government from implementing strict new speed limits for large boats to and from the island. Town officials say the proposed new speed limit, which would be in effect from November through May, could have a “devastating impact…on the economy and the people of Nantucket.”
• HDC has not approved the new “downtown” Sparks Avenue complex ( 2 buildings, a bowling alley, retails shops and apartments).  The project is deemed hugely oversized and inappropriate. Revisions are requested.
• The Steamship Authority is proposing rate hikes for both Nantucket and Martha’s

Vineyard ferries that could see vehicle reservations increase by up to $5 and walk-on passenger fares raise by $1.00.

• With leaders calling the development a “critical milestone”, Massachusetts and Federal officials have agreed to transfer $ 350 million to move forward with rebuilding the Sagamore Bridge.
• A Clam Shack opened on Straight Wharf.
• A new health spa is planned at the Valero and Sons Garden Center at 60 Old South Road. Plans call for a two-story, 18,000 square foot  “multi-use athletic and health spa facility” to include a gym, personal training facilities and a health spa. The plan has not yet been approved by the Nantucket Planning Board.

 

MH OCCUPANCY:  January through September 2024=60%

TOTAL RENTALS– 2024

 

1. $1400-Association only holding B12
2. Owner Rental Income: $35,391.62 thus far for 2024
3. The average rental is 4 – 4.5 nights

 

INTERVAL SALES– 2024

1. A12, A14, A16
2. Mariner House only holding B12
3. Foreclosing on C11 Warburton, C12 & 13 Olsen, C20 Oceanic, D13 Support Affiliations, E23 Rodriquez, F13 Hannaford

 

 

SALES AND MARKETING (Continuing)

 

• Brochures
• Web Site
• VRBO/Home Away
• net lodging Inquiries
• Owners are encouraged to use other platforms as well, if looking to rent; Redweek, Tugboats, word of mouth and friends and family.

 

BUDGET NOTE

 

• 2025 fees will not increase
  • Suggested capital-replacement of remaining gutters to copper gutters will require a small special assessment

 

 

Facilities/Building Report:  Bill Steadman

 

• Overall, 2024 was an uneventful year. Maintenance of the dwelling units continued as expected with such an old and well used building.
• The A/C units did not cause electrical overloads and seemed to meet the cooling   needs of each unit.
• All units have benefited from decorator improvements and upgrades. Renters and new owners have voiced positive comments.
• A heating circulator was replaced in the boiler.
• Wi-Fi service was upgraded. The new system is working well, and there seem to be no issues with access or speed.
• Smart TVs were purchased and installed in all unit main areas. Bedroom TVs are still “non-smart”.
• New appliances were purchased and installed in all units.
• A new, custom-made front entry door was installed, as well as a new screen door. Both look fantastic, and are being well-treated by our owners and visitors
• Owners are urged to use the comment cards provided in each unit to notify Tracy of needs that must be addressed.
• The foundation wall (begun in 2023) has been completed.
• Projects to consider going forward include:

1. Continue painting exterior of building. As previously mentioned, annual painting of a portion of the building allows us to keep ahead of damage.
2. Continue to keep an eye on the utility sink sump pump.
3. Clean radiators.
4. Complete installation of copper gutters.
5. Stay ahead of maintenance ensuring smooth operations with a minimum of trouble. (Note: There is an extraordinary amount of building/construction on island. Additionally, because of the dearth of year-round housing, the service industry is adversely affected. Bottom line:  It’s getting harder to find reliable service people to complete necessary projects.

 

 

Report of the Board of Directors:

 

• The Board meets monthly via Zoom conference.
• All other issues were previously covered in the Officers’ reports.
• The Board is looking forward to another successful year. Note that issues of concern can be addressed expeditiously if management is notified promptly.
• Bob Vanasse was thanked for providing the Zoom platform for our conferences.

 

Marty DeMartino (A11) moved to accept the Officers’ reports, Property Manager’s report, and Facilities report, seconded by Rosa Gargano (A8) and passed unanimously.

 

 

 

Report of Committees: Decorating:

Aurora: Susan DeMartino

• The Aurora unit has received multiple compliments from both owners and renters for its decorating.
• There were not major investments in 2024.
• Owners are encouraged to contact Susan with suggestions.

 

Barstow:

• New decorator pillows were purchased.
• A new sofa bed was installed.

 

Columbia:  Gloria Kunz

• A new sleeper couch is on order.
• The existing easy chairs in the main area will be replaced in 2025.
• Owners are urged to contact me with suggestions and ideas.

 

Defiance:  Ranelle Brew

• The upstairs bedroom chair was replaced.
• Purchase of a new sofa bed is under consideration.
• Please contact Ranelle with any issues.

 

    Essex:  DeeDee Mancheski

• An upstairs rug was replaced. There were no other additions.

 

  Fame:  Eileen Fox and Molly McKeown

• Carpeting on the second level was replaced
• New bedding was purchased.

 

Following the reports of the Decorating Chairs, Kerric Harvey suggested that any new replacement sofa beds be of a non-allergic material

 

There being no further items of discussion, Marty DeMartino (A11) moved to accept the reports of the Decorating Chairs, seconded by Tammy Rausch (F10, C21).  The reports of the decorating chairs were accepted unanimously.

 

Board Member Elections:  There were two candidates for the two open seats on the Board.

 

• Tammy Rausch (Current Member and Treasurer)
• Pat Catchpole

 

There being no nominations from the floor, Kerric Harvey (D11, D12, E15) moved to close nominations, seconded by Bob Vanasse (E9, E10).  The motion to name both candidates were to the Board to serve three-year terms commencing in January 2025 was passed unanimously.

 

Bill Hathaway was thanked for his long service to the Board and Mariner House.

 

Unfinished Business:  None.

Budget:

 

• Year-end results of 2023, January-September numbers for 2024, as well as the capital and operating budgets for 2025 were provided to owners in the Owners’ Packet.
• Tracy Canty reviewed the figures and outlined the proposed changes for 2025.
• Annual fees will not increase in 2025.
• Tracy was thanked for her continued efficiency and service.

 

As there were no questions regarding the budget, Kerric Harvey moved to accept the 2025 budget, seconded by Rosa Gargano and passed unanimously.

 

New Business:

 

• Update and improve Web site
• Conduct user testing of site prior to implementation

 

 

Kerric Harvey again thanked Bill Hathaway for his extraordinary service.  Bob Vanasse thanked Tracy for her ongoing loyalty and efficiency, also citing that Mariner House was fortunate to have an effective board.

 

There being no other items for discussion, Kerric Harvey made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Gloria Kunz and passed unanimously. The 2024 Annual Owners Meeting of The Mariner House Association was adjourned at 12:54 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Gloria F. Kunz

Secretary