On June 26th, the Town Council Study Committee of Nantucket voted unanimously, with one abstention, to draft a new charter for a Town Council form of government. This decision follows extensive research conducted from February to June, during which the committee evaluated various governance options for the island. The committee believes that a Town Council could offer advantages over the current open town meeting and other forms of governance.

The proposed charter would establish a Town Council consisting of nine councilors elected at large, serving three-year terms. This model aligns with practices in other Massachusetts towns that utilize a town manager system, where the manager serves as the appointing authority for various boards and commissions. The committee aims to maintain continuity in the town's administration while implementing this significant change.

Key discussions during the meeting included whether to appoint a Town Councilor to the school committee as a liaison and the potential consolidation of the water and sewer commissions. The committee also addressed the controversial Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission (NPEDC) and its future role within the new governance structure.

To engage the public, the committee has scheduled two forums in October to discuss the proposed changes and gather feedback. An email address has been established for residents to submit their input. The committee aims to have the draft charter ready by late 2024, with hopes of presenting it for a vote at the 2025 town meeting. If approved, the charter would then require state legislative action before being put to a ballot in 2026.

The committee's preference is to pursue this as a citizen's article rather than a select board-sponsored initiative, emphasizing grassroots support for the proposed changes. However, concerns were raised about the potential challenges in garnering public support, given the strong attachment many residents have to the traditional town meeting format.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of thorough public outreach and legal review to ensure the proposed charter meets all necessary requirements before being presented to voters. The committee expressed gratitude for the support received from the Collins Center at UMass, which has provided valuable guidance throughout the process.