Why Are Nantucket Tipping Point's Master Plan Comments "Outside The Scope?"

To the editor: Nantucket Tipping Point (NTP), established in 2018, works to protect the island’s health, safety, welfare, and environment. Our mission is to educate and encourage residents, visitors, Town officials, and leadership to support responsible development that protects Nantucket’s finite resources, infrastructure, natural environment, and National Historic Landmark designation for the long term.

In keeping with that mission, we formally request a written explanation from both the Planning Board and the NP&EDC of why NTP’s Master Plan comments were designated “outside the scope” at the October 19 Planning Board meeting.

Our comments addressed how the Plan’s growth recommendations account for water and wastewater capacity, ecological constraints, and public costs. These matters directly concern planning for Nantucket’s future, its residents, and the broader community.

M.G.L. Chapter 41, §81D(2) connects proposed population density and building intensity to land capacity and available or planned facilities and services. Section 81D(7) addresses existing and forecasted needs for public facilities and services. These provisions support the relevance of the subjects we raised without requiring adoption of our particular recommendations.

Because the plan has been adopted, our request is for clarification in the administrative record.

Please identify:

- Which portions of our submission were designated “outside the scope?”

- Whether the designation concerned the subject matter, requested level of detail, timing, format, or another consideration.

- The specific provision, policy, or procedural basis for the designation.

- If these issues are addressed elsewhere in the adopted plan or implementation materials, the relevant sections or page numbers.

We recognize the Board’s and Commission’s discretion regarding whether and how to incorporate public comments. We are asking why these comments were classified as outside the scope.

Please circulate this email to the Planning Board and NP&EDC and include it, together with any response, in the public-comment or administrative record associated with the adopted Master Plan.

Respectfully,

Will Willauer
President – Nantucket Tipping Point, 501(c)(3)

*This letter was initially sent to Nantucket Planning Director Leslie Snell and Deputy Planning Director Megan Trudell*