Post Town Meeting & Election

The May 4, 2026 Annual Town Meeting concluded in 2 evenings. On the first day, over 1,000 voters were checked in. Of note:

• at the beginning of the meeting, the names of individuals who served the Town during their lives and who passed away since the last town meeting were read: Francis B. “Frank” Psaradelis, Jr.; Gerald E. “Jerry” Eldridge; Martha “Page” Wroth Martineau; Janet Coffin; Lionel J. Starr; Sue Henning; Jeanette Topham; Mary Beth Splaine; Hilliard Wood; Sandra Lee “Sandy” Gillies; David Fredericks; Norman Chaleki; Gary Beller. We are grateful for their years of service to the Town of Nantucket.

• of the 83 articles on the warrant, 19 were initially called.

• voters approved 6 of 7 capital outlay exclusion and/or debt exclusion projects/items which were also subject to ballot votes at the Election on May 19^th: 

  • Article 10 (Appropriation:  General Fund Capital Projects)

    The motion to Article 10 contained $18,642,500 of items including projects, vehicles, equipment, facility and infrastructure costs. Eleven items $2,274,300 were subject to a Capital Outlay Exclusion. Article 10 was not called for discussion. The motion on Article 10 passed; and the Capital Outlay Exclusion passed at the May 19, 2026 Election (Question 7).

  • Article 11 (Appropriation: Our Island Home)

    Debt Exclusion: $128,810,307. Article 11 was called for discussion. Because this will involve borrowing, it required a two-thirds vote, which was achieved (Yes – 959; No – 321). Vote at Election (Question 1):  1,887 Yes; 1,119 No.

  • Article 12 (Appropriation: School Athletic Facilities Improvements)

    Debt Exclusion: $26,000,000. Article 12 was called for discussion. Because this will involve borrowing, it required a two-thirds vote, which was achieved (Yes – 719; No – 281). Vote at Election (Question 2):  1,773 Yes; 1,208 No.

  • Article 13 (Appropriation:  Town Employee Housing Design, Owner’s Project Manager and Construction Costs)

    Debt Exclusion: $7,000,000. Article 13 was called for discussion. Because this will involve borrowing, it required a two-thirds vote, which was achieved (Yes – 432; No – 137). Vote at Election (Question 3): 1,645 Yes; 1,262 No.

  • Article 14 (Appropriation: LORAN Barracks Repairs)

    Debt Exclusion: $5,400,000. Article 14 was called for discussion. Because this will involve borrowing, it required a two-thirds vote, which was not achieved (Yes – 324; No – 218). It did pass at the Election (Question 4):  1,503 Yes; 1,381 No.

    Note: a Debt Exclusion must receive affirmative votes from Town Meeting and an Election. This project will not move forward at this time.

  • Article 15 (Appropriation:  Somerset Sewer Needs Area – Sewer Extension)

    Debt Exclusion: $44,800,000. Article 15 was called for discussion. Because this will involve borrowing, it required a two-thirds vote, which was achieved (Yes – 304; No – 116). Vote at Election (Question 5):  1,790 Yes; 1,108 No.

    Note: the Motion to this Article was amended at Town Meeting to remove language pertaining to betterment assessments of up to 25% on the benefitted properties.

  • Article 16 (Appropriation:  Tom Nevers Debris Removal and Erosion Control/Dune Restoration)

    Debt Exclusion: $8,000,000. Article 16 was not called for discussion. Because this will involve borrowing, it required a two-thirds vote, which was achieved (Yes – 304; No – 116). Vote at Election (Question 5):  1,885 Yes; 1,008 No.

Note: Debt exclusions and capital outlay exclusions require two votes:  a Town Meeting vote and a ballot vote. If only one of those votes passes, approval is not complete until both affirmative votes are secured. For more information on debt exclusions, click here.

Other Notable Financial Articles

• Article 7 (Personnel Compensation Plans for Fiscal Year 2027) was called for discussion and an amendment to the Motion was adopted which increased the salaries of the Select Board members by $10,000 per member (Chair $6,000 → $16,000; Members $4,500 each → $14,500 each)

• Article 8 (Appropriation:  Fiscal Year 2027 General Fund Operating Budget) was not called for discussion and the operating budget of $148,901,465 was approved.

At the very end of Town Meeting, our Moderator, Sarah Alger received a standing ovation in recognition of 30 years of service – Thank You Sarah!

Thank You to all involved in the development of the Town Meeting warrant and mobilization of Town Meeting. It takes hundreds of hours of many people, a good deal of whom are volunteers. Their dedication and commitment is greatly appreciated. And Thank You to all Town Meeting attendees and election voters! Your support of Town projects and initiatives intended to improve our community is greatly appreciated.

There are a number of follow-up actions that will now occur, including: 

• All of the approved bylaw articles (general bylaw and zoning bylaw) will be compiled by the Town Clerk and sent to the Massachusetts Attorney General (AG) – these do not become effective unless or until approved by the AG.

• All of the approved home rule petitions will be forwarded to Nantucket’s legislative representatives. These do not become effective unless or until approved by the Massachusetts Legislature (and sometimes, other state agency approval is required); projects that were approved for funding will be prioritized, and staff project managers assigned.

  
  

In a continuing effort to educate voters on warrant articles, we continued a feature to the printed version of the Voter’s Guide; which included QR codes linking directly to project pages and additional information on the Town website, we also created dedicated webpages for all debt exclusion articles, produced informational videos, ran radio ads, and shared multiple social media posts to share information on Town Meeting and Election and to help explain the purpose and impact of warrant articles. We hope these efforts were helpful and welcome constructive feedback townmanager@nantucket-ma.gov. Big shout-out to our Comms team - Florencia Rullo (Communication Manager) and Jess Torres (Digital Communications Coordinator). With assistance from Town departments, they prepared, coordinated, developed, and issued all outreach for the Annual Town Meeting and Election. Thank you, Comms!

The Select Board

The 5-member Select Board is the Town’s central governing body, responsible for executive leadership, policymaking, and coordination among Nantucket’s boards, commissions, committees, and councils. Its work helps guide effective local government and set priorities for the community.

At its meetings on April 29th and May 13th, the Board thanked retiring Board members Tom Dixon and Dr. Malcolm MacNab; and on May 20th welcomed new members Bob DeCosta and Jill Vieth. Congratulations, Bob and Jill! We look forward to working with you to serve Nantucket residents and develop clear, practical goals and policies that support the entire community.

Select Board members from left to right: Matt Fee, Bob DeCosta, Chair Dawn Hill, Vice Chair Brooke Mohr, Jill Vieth.

Other activities in Town Administration

• FY 2025 Town Financial Audit - The Town’s FY 2025 financial audit is completed. Our auditor, Tony Roselli of Roselli Clark Associates, presented the audit with highlights and findings at the Board’s April 29^th meeting. Click here for more information on the audit.

• On May 18^th, along with Superintendent of Schools Beth Hallett, I attended an annual meeting sponsored by the Cape Cod Collaborative for Superintendents, Town Managers and School Committee Members at which legislative initiatives, pending legislation, funding issues and other related topics are discussed. The meeting was held at the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School and while somewhat lightly attended, important issues were brought forward.

Efforts to fill both of these positions are well underway.

Of Note - Trending (Still!)

• TRASH - Inexcusably, litter is a constant unattractive presence along our roadsides, downtown, mid-Island, beaches and moors. Major causes of this are unsecured loads, carelessness and willful littering. Those who haul materials around the island, specifically trash haulers, landscapers and construction crews – you can do better! There is evidence of your carelessness – virtually everywhere. Please, everyone needs to pitch in here if we want to have a clean and beautiful Island.

• SPEEDING - Complaints continue about speeding vehicles. Please be respectful of neighborhoods, many of which have children, pedestrians, pets, bicyclists who are endangered by speeding vehicles. E-bike riders and electric scooter riders – this includes you! Remember: you’re already on Nantucket, no need to rush. Take a deep breath and, take it easy. It could be a long summer! And, by the way bike riders:  it is common courtesy and customary to notify pedestrians if you are passing them from behind. A simple verbal “passing on the left” will do it.

Request for Public Comments on Vineyard Wind Debris Response Summary

Under the December 2025 Memorandum of Agreement, the Town of Nantucket and Vineyard Wind share monthly reports related to the Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind project, including debris monitoring and response activities. This reporting process began in January 2026. The Agreement also requires Vineyard Wind to provide a summary of its Debris/Infrastructure Failure Incident Response Plan (DRP).

The Town invites the public to review the DRP summary and provide comments or questions by June 15, 2026. Whenever possible, please reference the section of the DRP summary that relates to your question or comment. Public feedback will be shared with Vineyard Wind 1.

Public Comment Questions Subscribers List

The Town has added a subscriber list for the Public Comment Questions page, which features answers to questions raised during the Public Comment portion of Select Board meetings.

Residents can now sign up to receive weekly updates about new responses. This is part of the Town’s ongoing effort to make information from Select Board meetings easier to access and understand, while also providing transparency and factual information.

Juneteenth Block Party!

Join the Department of Culture & Tourism for the Juneteenth Block Party on Saturday, June 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the African Meeting House, 27 & 29 York Street, for a day of community celebration, entertainment, and family-friendly activities.

The event will feature a vendor market, activities throughout the day, and opportunities to celebrate and honor Juneteenth with the community. Please note that York Street will be closed to traffic during the event.

This celebration is presented in partnership with the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce, the Nantucket Historical Association, and the Museum of African American History Boston | Nantucket.

Children’s Beach Activities Are Back!

Children’s Beach is once again offering a full lineup of weekly summer activities for residents and visitors of all ages beginning in June.

From June 6 through September 3, enjoy weekly favorites including Monday with Magic, Tuesday Tie-Dye, Wednesday Wellness (Children’s Yoga), Terrific Thursday Crafting, and Capoeira on the Bandstand on Saturdays.

The popular Summer Concert Series returns Sundays from June 21 through September 6 from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m., and Sunrise Yoga with Bettina Broer will be offered Monday through Saturday from June 25 through September 7 from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.

In July, Night Line Dancing will take place on Tuesday evenings from July 7 through July 28 from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m.

The goal of this drop-off-only event is to help divert unwanted textiles from landfills by encouraging residents to recycle clean and bagged items such as shoes, belts, handbags, ripped fabrics, stained clothing, and other well-loved textiles.

Community members are encouraged to participate in this environmentally friendly initiative to reduce waste and support sustainable disposal practices.

Spring Advocacy Plan

The Housing Department is planning a Spring Advocacy Day at the State House with Nantucket Public Schools students for Wednesday, June 17. The public is encouraged to join. If you are interested in attending, please contact housing@nantucket-ma.gov.

Affordable Housing Trust and Housing Department Quarterly Reports

Deputy Housing Director Dylan Metsch-Ampel presented an update on the Housing Department’s and Affordable Housing Trust’s progress to the Select Board on May 13 and to the Community Preservation Committee on April 28.

Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) List Update

With the addition of 15 units from the 18-26 Sparks Avenue development, Nantucket’s SHI List now stands at 512 units or 8.28% of year-round housing stock, up from 8% at the end of 2025. The state’s required threshold is 10%.

The island remains in Safe Harbor under Chapter 40B through December 10, 2027. Maintaining Safe Harbor provides important protections and planning flexibility as Nantucket continues implementing long-term housing strategies.

Three Units Moved to 158 Madaket Road

In May, the Affordable Housing Trust and the Nantucket Land Bank collaborated on a creative housing initiative at 158 Madaket Road. The project involved moving three existing homes from 41 Jefferson Avenue to create year-round housing opportunities.

Two of the homes will be available to middle-income households, and one will be available to households eligible under the Town’s workforce housing program.

The Affordable Housing Trust units were successfully moved to 158 Madaket Road on May 12. The Nantucket Land Bank is also relocating two additional structures for employee housing.

The project works within existing zoning, reuses existing housing stock, reduces material waste and construction costs, and may serve as a model for future partnerships.

Habitat for Humanity Development at 20 Nancy Ann Lane

In partnership with the Affordable Housing Trust, Habitat for Humanity Nantucket is developing four homeownership units at 20 Nancy Ann Lane that will be income restricted to no more than 80% AMI.

The Affordable Housing Trust is contributing funds through both a grant, for land acquisition, and a loan, for construction. The Select Board has approved the funding, and the Planning Board voted to approve the development. The units are all eligible for inclusion on the SHI list.  

NATURAL RESOURCE DEPARTMENT

Hatchery Tours Begin June 9!

Summer tours begin Tuesday, June 9, at 11:00 a.m. at the Brant Point Shellfish Hatchery, located next to the Brant Point Lighthouse. Operated by the Natural Resources Department, the Hatchery helps support Nantucket Bay Scallop populations in Nantucket Harbors.

These tours are a great opportunity to learn more about Nantucket’s shellfish resources, the work being done to support local bay scallop populations, and the important role the hatchery plays in protecting the Island’s marine environment. Space is limited, and advance registration is required.

Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring Underway

The Town of Nantucket, in collaboration with the Nantucket Land Council, Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Nantucket Land Bank, Linda Loring Nature Foundation, UMass Boston, and Mass Audubon, monitors local ponds weekly from June through October for harmful algal blooms (HABs).

Ponds monitored include Long Pond, Miacomet Pond, Sesachacha Pond, Hummock Pond, Washing Pond, Tom Nevers Pond, and several others, along with ponds monitored through UMass Boston’s Nantucket Field Station. Harmful algal bloom monitoring differs from the Town’s regular beach water testing program, which focuses on bacteria levels at public beaches.

2026 Senior Citizens Award Winners: Alison Forsgren and Charles Stott

Nantucket’s Council on Aging has named Alison Forsgren and Charles Stott the 2026 Senior Woman and Senior Man of the Year in recognition of their longstanding volunteer service and dedication to the community.

Forsgren has been active in Nantucket organizations since 1980, including Friends of Our Island Home, the Nantucket AIDS Network, Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, and the Civil Rights and Action Center at the Nantucket Unitarian Meeting House. She also helped establish Nantucket’s Memory Café and has assisted many seniors and families throughout the community.

Stott has served as co-president of the Nantucket Civic League since 2015, helping increase civic engagement through programs such as “Meet the Articles” and “Meet the Candidates.” He also played a key role in the Madaket Conservation Association, mosquito control initiatives, and fundraising efforts supporting the Land Bank’s purchase of the Head of Plains property.

The honorees will be recognized at a celebration in July sponsored by the Nantucket Center for Elder Affairs/Friends of Nantucket Seniors.

Sea Street 3rd Sewer Force Main Project Update

The Sea Street Pump Station Force Main No. 3 project is substantially complete. In April, crews completed final restoration work, including drainage improvements on Bartlett Road, pavement markings, sewer manhole appurtenances, driveway apron restoration, and loaming on South Shore Road.

Robert B., Our Company is completing the remaining punch list items, including loaming and seeding, final inspections, miscellaneous restoration, cleanup, and demobilization. For more information, visit the project’s webpage.

Thank you for joining the conversation and staying connected with the Town of Nantucket!

Come back next month to see more updates from the Town.

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