During a recent meeting, Nantucket officials discussed the town's participation in a nationwide opioid usage lawsuit, which will yield an estimated $25,000 annually for local human services. The funds will be allocated through Telmene, and the deadline for citizen warrant articles related to this funding is set for November 18.

The meeting also addressed the 2025 Select Board meeting schedule, with a notable adjustment to cancel the meeting on September 24 due to the observance of Rosh Hashanah, which ends that evening. The board unanimously approved this change.

In addition, the preliminary discussion on the upcoming tax rate hearing highlighted the residential exemption and potential tax rate shifts. The tax levy for fiscal year 2024 was reported at over $116 million, with residential properties accounting for nearly 93% of the total value. The board is considering a 1.7 shift in tax rates, which would redistribute the tax burden within the residential class, benefiting year-round residents by alleviating some of the financial pressure from vacation home owners.

The residential exemption, enacted in Nantucket in 1981, aims to shift the tax burden from moderately valued homes to higher-valued properties, ensuring that year-round residents are not disproportionately affected. The exemption cannot exceed 35% of the average residential property value, which was reported to be just under $3.2 million last year. The board will finalize decisions regarding the tax allocation at a public hearing scheduled for the coming weeks.