Town Government Roundup, August 15 - 28

This bi-weekly local government roundup is highlighted by a Select Board effort to tighten the Town’s noise bylaws and a $4.94 million Land Bank project on East Creek Road.

• The Affordable Housing Trust re-elected Brian Sullivan as chair and Penny Dey as vice chair at their meeting on August 19th.
• The County Commissioners endorsed a letter opposing term limits for Steamship Authority board representatives at their meeting on August 20th. The Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission joined them on an 8-1 vote on the 25th.
• Later the same night, after some debate, the Select Board voted 3-1 to approve the filming of the limited television series “The Five-Star Weekend” based on Elin Hilderbrand’s novel of the same name. The Board also decided to address revisions to Nantucket’s noise bylaws at the next Annual Town Meeting, potentially expanding the hours during which construction work is prohibited and making regulations more consistent across the island.
• The Select Board reached a preliminary consensus with Vineyard Wind on a series of 15 demands issued late last month, but the details still need to be ironed out. The two groups will meet again on September 12th.
• Still want to hear more about short-term rental regulations? The Board of Health discussed them at their meeting on the 21st, as well as the idea of potential inspections for long-term rentals. They also reviewed the results of PFAS testing conducted on some local beaches and ponds, as well as further well testing data, and a proposal to change their fee structure.
• The Conservation Commission reviewed preliminary plans for a coir roll array at 16 Hoicks Hollow Road, an attempt to stop erosion of the coastal bank and protect a home in the area. The application was quickly continued to give the applicant a chance to revise their plans after commissioners expressed some concerns.
• The Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission is asking the public to attend a meeting of the Seasonal Communities Advisory Council at the White Elephant Ballroom and via Zoom on Thursday, September 11 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• The Land Bank is moving ahead with permitting for a $4.94 million creeks overlook project on East Creek Road. Initially estimated at $4.35 million, the cost has ballooned in the last few years. It’s likely that the Land Bank will ultimately decide to cut a portion of the project—they’re considering up to $1.72 million in cuts—but they have delayed making a decision on what elements, if any, to remove. For now, no construction funding is committed. The Land Bank is pursuing permits for the maximum extent of what they might do, and can always bring the cost down at a later date if they choose.