Town Government Roundup, August 1 - 14

The Current’s new government roundups are intended to summarize important developments in local government. These roundups include synopses of updates we have not covered elsewhere, as well as brief notes about longer stories with links to our primary coverage.

• The Select Board met on Wednesday, August 6th, appointing Abby De Molina, Betsy Tyler, and Barbara Halsted to the Nantucket Historical Commission and opting not to pursue a Special Town Meeting to address short-term rentals this fall.
• A Land Bank plan to expand a boardwalk that runs onto the beach at 41 Jefferson Avenue, their most expensive purchase ever, received the endorsement of the Conservation Commission on August 7th. The purpose of the boardwalk is to facilitate Americans with Disabilities Act access to the beach. In a review of their broader plans for the 41 Jefferson Avenue project, which involve moving off several buildings and restoring the site, the Land Bank discussed a timeline that will see design and engineering begin in December.
• The Conservation Commission also issued an $11,100 civil penalty and a conservation deed restriction on a Wauwinet property that was clear-cut without a permit early this year.
• High-profile cases before the Conservation Commission involving the Sconset Beach Preservation Fund and the Summer House were continued yet again at their meeting on the 7th.
• The Planning Board discussed proposals for Annual Town Meeting warrant articles this Monday, agreeing to pursue potential short-term rental regulations. It’s not clear yet what form the regulations will take, but Monday’s discussion indicated a desire to search for compromise, as the threat of litigation continues to hang over the industry on-island.
• Monday’s meeting also involved a lengthy discussion about a proposed orthopedic surgeon’s office on Goldfinch Drive, which was opposed by a large number of abutters.
• A Land Bank plan for a creeks overlook project on East Creek Road, initially estimated at around $4.35 million, is now expected to cost about $4.94 million, according to a presentation on Tuesday, highlighting the ever-increasing costs of construction on Nantucket and the country at large. The Land Bank looked at a series of options to significantly reduce the project’s cost, potentially slashing the price to $3.22 million, but with commissioners divided on what to cut, the final number remains highly uncertain. The Land Bank also approved $7,500 to design an informational sign at their Easton Street rain garden. The money won’t cover the construction of the sign.
• A year-round, affordable housing deed restriction program long championed by the Affordable Housing Trust is set to start taking applications in September. The Trust also approved expansive plans for the development of several properties on Orange Street, Bartlett Road, and Vesper Lane.
• The town held a public info session on the Surfside Area Transportation Enhancements Project on Wednesday, which can be viewed here.
• The Zoning Board of Appeals cancelled its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Thursday.
• At another public info session, the Nantucket and Madaket Harbors Action Plan Update Committee reviewed a draft of their plan, which is still seeking Select Board and state approval.