What's up in Town Administration?
Mark Your Calendar
The 2024 Annual Town Meeting has been set for Tuesday, May 7, 2024 and the Annual Town Election for Tuesday, May 21, 2024. A timeline for the actions and meetings that lead up to Town Meeting is in progress.
Meanwhile
Planning continues for a November 7, 2023 Special Town Meeting (STM). The STM was scheduled for the primary purpose of considering warrant articles relating to the regulation of short-term rentals. The Select Board’s Short-term Rental Work Group reviewed its proposed articles with the Board on July 12. The Board had additional discussion and took in public comment on the proposals on July 19. The Board is scheduled to adopt the STM warrant at its August 16th meeting and will be having additional discussion about the proposed short-term rental articles on August 2.
Nantucket Civic League Annual Summer Community Forum
The forum was held on July 11th at the Atheneum, and in keeping with prior forums, each Board member spoke on a particular topic and I provided a general overview of Town Administration activities. The forum was televised and may be viewed here.
Sconset Civic League Annual Meeting
The Sconset meeting was held on July 10th at the Sconset Casino. The guest speaker was Natural Resources Director Jeff Carlson who did a great job updating the Sconseters about a variety of natural resources-related issues. A growing concern in Sconset is use of the Bluff Walk. The Bluff Walk has been featured in tourism-related publications as a “not to be missed” kind of destination. While the Bluff Walk is unquestionably public, the public is asked to be respectful of the adjacent private properties. The highlight of the meeting was a presentation to lifelong Sconset resident Nelson (Snooky) Eldridge with a spirit of Sconset award (the first such award). Snooky is the embodiment of a citizen/public servant who serves his community in the most selfless of ways. And, often, you can get a very interesting story out of him! Thank you Snooky!
Projects
Projects currently underway include: design and planning of Baxter Road Alternative Access; Our Island Home and Senior Center – new facilities; water main extension to properties west of the Airport in response to PFAS concerns along with transportation improvements in the area; planning for improvements to Newtown Road, planning for the expiration of the Waste Services Agreement with our landfill operator Waste Options; determining follow-up to the Open Space and Recreation Plan.
Planning for a new DPW facility - Town staff continue work with Weston and Sampson on the design and location of a new DPW campus. At the May 2023 Annual Town Meeting a Sun Island Road location was added to the language of the FY 2019 appropriation for the design of a new DPW campus. Town Administration is also considering an Industry Road location and is proposing an updated article to the Special Town Meeting on November 7, 2023 to reflect that additional location.
Police Chief Search - All applications received on 6/10/23, have been reviewed by the Town’s five-member Police Chief Search Group, complemented by Public Safety Consultants, LLC. Of the over forty applications received in June, thirteen were selected to proceed further in the process. Three candidates removed themselves from consideration for various personal reasons and the remainder completed a written assignment. Of those, seven will be progressing to the next step in the established process, which is oral interviews.
An Assessment Center will be scheduled in September for those who are selected following the oral interviews. The Assessment Center process is standard in public safety recruitment. The value of an Assessment Center is that it evaluates the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this specific position, Police Chief, in an objective manner.
We expect to appoint a candidate, in accordance with the provisions of the Town charter, by mid-October. For more information, please click here.
Roadside litter
Nantucket is a special place to so many of us – whether it’s our home, place of business, or vacation destination, we all take pride in the beauty of the island. One simple way to give back to our island is to be proactive about litter.
Let’s tackle trash together:
- When driving, be sure to secure your loads.
- Please dispose of trash in a trash bin – not on the ground, the beach, or someone else’s property.
- If you’re a business owner – take a moment to look outside your shop or store and dispose of trash to prevent it from piling up or blowing into sidewalks, streets, and yards.
- Want to do even more to keep our island clean? Join ACK Clean Team– a group of dedicated volunteers who do litter pickup in their free time.
If we each do our part, we can keep Nantucket clean!
In Memoriam
We were saddened to learn that lifelong Nantucket native and public servant, John McLaughlin “passed over the bar” on July 21. John was an early supporter of mine when I started with the Town in 1988. He could always be counted on to provide advice, information, or an interesting Nantucket history or event lesson. John’s service to the Town was extensive. He never sought recognition, and was not influenced by anything other than his own opinion. Thank you, John.
Energy Office
Town Powers Up First Municipal Solar Project at the Surfside Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Town of Nantucket’s first solar photovoltaic (PV) system is now energized and producing clean power at the Surfside Wastewater Treatment Plant, the island’s second largest consumer of electricity. Residents and visitors are invited to tour the Facility and learn about the new solar system following a celebratory “switching-on” event with local and state officials.
Solar “Show & Tell” and Sewer Plant Tour
- Surfside Wastewater Treatment Facility, 81 South Shore Rd; Nantucket, MA
- August 10, 2023; 12:30 pm
Fire Department
Veranda House Fire - July 9, 2022
Following the fire last year, this was printed in the 2022 e-Newsletter. Since then, through the efforts of Fire Chief Michael Cranson, we have hired three new firefighters and seven are in the hiring process, including four new positions funded in FY 2024. Additionally, under the direction of the Deputy Fire Chief, the volunteer firefighter force is being revitalized with training and new recruits to ensure that we have call firefighters available for extreme fire events.
Thank you, Nantucket firefighters and volunteers! The efforts of these firefighters not only prevented any civilian injury or loss of life but they were also able to contain the fire to the original three buildings that were involved.
Ivo Baychev Induction Ceremony
On July 13, Firefighter/EMT Ivo Baychev became a permanent member of the Nantucket Fire Department after completing the required 1 year probationary period. Congratulations Ivo!
Health & Human Services Department
SUN - 𝗔n ‘𝗦𝗢𝗦’ 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻
A sunburn not only ruins a beach day, but also puts you at risk for skin cancer. Most skin cancer is caused by overexposure to UV rays. Time in the sun is fun and healthy (vitamin D!) but can also be dangerous – remember the acronym ‘SOS’ to reduce your risk of cancer:
Don’t forget to 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 – sunscreen should be reapplied every time you get wet, sweat heavily, and a minimum of every 2 hours.
Ticks
Ticks carry diseases that can be transferred to humans and animals through their bite. On Nantucket, tick-borne Lyme’s disease is prevalent. To prevent tick-borne illnesses, remember these tips:
Visit the Town’s page on tick prevention to learn more.
Harbormaster
Thank you, Nantucket Lifeguards!
July 31st is International Lifeguard Appreciation Day. Thank you to our Nantucket Lifeguards for their continued hard work and dedication in keeping our beaches and waters safe! In honor of this day, please take a moment to check out a video created by the Communications Office in collaboration with the Harbormaster and lifeguards:
Housing Office
Upcoming Event: A Conversation with George Ruther, Vail Housing Director
Join us on August 2 at 6:00pm in the Great Hall of the Nantucket Atheneum for a conversation about Vail's InDeed program - a non-regulatory, deed-restriction purchase program. George Ruther is the Director of Housing in Vail, Colorado with more than 25 years of mountain resort community experience. Since its creation in 2018, the Housing Department has helped the community realize a 51% increase in the total number of deed-restricted homes in Vail. Learn more here.
The State of Housing - Quarterly Newsletter
The 4th edition of the Town of Nantucket Housing Office newsletter will be out on August 3rd. Subscribe at the link below to stay up to date on all housing news.
Human Resources
Finance Department
- Steven Hunter recently joined Finance Department as the new Accounting Clerk. Welcome, Steven!
- Alice Kellogg transferred from Assistant Procurement Officer to Deputy Procurement Officer, and Jaime Connelly transferred from Assistant Treasurer to Accounting Clerk this July. Good luck in your new roles, Alice and Jaime!
Public Works
- On July 31, our new DPW Director Andrew (Drew) Patnode began work. He has his work cut out for him and is up for the many challenges facing the Town and the department. We are very much looking forward to working with him. Meanwhile, we extend sincere thanks and appreciation to all of the DPW staff who have kept things going despite significant staffing challenges. Thank you DPW!
- Liela Marrett joined DPW on July 3rd as a Seasonal Office Assistant. Welcome, Liela!
- Vanessa Hutchinson is the new DPW Office Manager. She is excited for her new role. Her hope for a career at the Town of Nantucket is to bring forward new and improved ideas that will benefit us all as a community. Welcome, Vanessa!
Town Administration
- Ellis Ramos recently joined the Housing Office as the new Office Manager. Welcome, Ellis!
Retirements
Planning Director Andrew Vorce - Andrew retired from his position on June 30, 2023 after 30 years of service to the Town. Under Andrew’s leadership, his achievements include improvements made to the centralization of building-related regulatory permitting and the creation of the Planning and Land Use Services (PLUS) department; the development of a Master Plan; a “Yard Sale” program which involves surplus real estate parcels of no benefit to the Town being conveyed to abutters for a cost and the parcels being placed into the tax base. Andrew was designated Planner of Year in 2015 by the American Planning Association Massachusetts Chapter (APA-MA). Andrew, we wish you all the best!
Ann Medina, Health and Human Services Department - Ann worked for the Town for 22 years. Ann’s calm and cheerful demeanor was always appreciated. When it became clear that the Town was going to take over passport processing, this became Ann’s assignment and she handled it with professionalism and efficiency. Thank You Ann and best wishes!
Gail Holdgate, Town Clerk - Gail Holdgate is retiring after 18 years with the Town, the last 12 of which were in the Town Clerk’s Office. Gail has been a welcoming and known presence both at the office, and helping with elections, town meetings, and voting these last twelve years. Town Clerk Nancy Holmes and Assistant Town Clerk Laura Raimo have enjoyed their friendly rapport and getting through lots of hard work together all these past years. We will miss her friendly and positive presence and wish her all the best of health and happiness in retirement!
Natural Resources
Nantucket and Madaket Harbors Action Plan Update Survey
The Town of Nantucket is updating its 2009 Nantucket and Madaket Harbors Action Plan. The Plan presents the community’s vision for guiding public and private use of the land and water of its harbor areas and establishes an implementation program to fulfill the Plan's recommendations. The focus area for Nantucket and Madaket Harbors Plan Update is both Nantucket and Madaket harbors. The effort is led by the Nantucket and Madaket Harbors Action Plan Update Committee and assisted by the Urban Harbors Institute at UMass Boston and Woods Hole Group.
Hatchery Tours
The Brant Point Shellfish Hatchery is a Town of Nantucket operated facility that specializes in the production of Nantucket Bay Scallops to supplement the wild population within Nantucket and Madaket Harbors. The Hatchery tours will take place throughout the months of July and August. Sign-ups available two weeks in advance. Please note that there is limited parking near Brant Point.
To schedule a visit for large groups, please send an email to Shellfish and Aquatic Resources Manager Tara Riley, triley@nantucket-ma.gov.
Sustainability
Water, Water every where… on Nantucket
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, has striking seascape imagery of the Albatross, life at sea, and thoughts on water with the line “Water, water every where, nor any drop to drink”. The Town of Nantucket, Wannacomet Water Company, Culture and Tourism, and Sustainability Office and several gracious businesses and non-profits developed a network of drinking water and bottle refill stations around the island. The more frequent summer heat domes and consistently high July and August temperatures make these water stations a welcome relief that mariners, bikers, walkers and visitors from far and wide can avail of.
Bring your refillable water bottles and “ACKt” Sustainably by visiting these water stations for a cool, refreshing top-up.Find water refill locations around the island with this handy map.
Transportation
The Nantucket Planning & Economic Development Commission (NP&EDC) has initiated a public review of the DRAFT Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) through August 21, 2023. The LRTP is a federally required fiscally constrained plan that is updated every four years which guides major transportation investments through the year 2044. Development of this LRTP has been shaped by the public through two phases of outreach – Visioning and Prioritization – to inform the region’s long-range policies and investments. Click here to participate in this Review Phase and leave your comments!
The NP&EDC has scheduled a meeting to take action to close the public review period, review public comments, and approve the LRTP on August 21, 2023 at 5PM.
Thank you for reading the Town of Nantucket July 2023 News!
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Communications Manager Florencia Rullo