Liza Hatton Appointed To One-Year Seat On Planning Board

Real estate broker Liza Hatton has been appointed to a one-year term on the Nantucket Planning Board on an 8-1 vote on Wednesday by the members of the Select Board and Planning Board.

Hatton, who previously lost a narrow Planning Board election to former Planning Board member Hillary Hedges Rayport, currently serves as an at-large member of the Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission. Hatton is a member of the Nantucket Association of Real Estate Brokers and the Nantucket Builders Association.

“I understand planning well,” Hatton told the members of the two boards Wednesday evening before they voted. “I’m up to date on recent applications…I’m a great communicator, and because of my work experience, I understand zoning and land use very well. I’m not afraid to speak up when I disagree with others, but I respect differences of opinion, and I hope to work collaboratively with the other members of the Board.”

Hatton was one of three candidates vying to replace former Planning Board member John Kitchener, who resigned from his position before his term expired. Select Board member Matt Fee cast the lone dissenting vote for island resident Campbell Sutton, a former Planning Board alternate who regularly attends and speaks at both Planning Board and Select Board meetings.

“I’m very supportive of increased housing, but I strongly believe in developing a living community—some place where people can not just reside, but also thrive,” Sutton said. “I don’t have any intention of running past this one-year slot.”

The final candidate, political strategist and social justice activist Clay Evans, received no votes.

“I have a deep interest in the community, and I’ve seen how a lack of housing is impacting people that are wage earners, people that have worked in retail, and I’m committed to working collaboratively,” Evans said.

Hatton will now serve for a year, until an election can be held for the seat next spring. Because Kitchener resigned so soon before the 2026 annual town elections, the election could not be held this year. In lieu of an election, members of the Select Board and Planning Board voted on Kitchener’s replacement.