[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6119989,"mediaKeyId","2709760-1d0124dbf3f034b4e7de9fa07e64dbc7","parentId",2709760,"title","Select Board members reflect on Easy Street coastal-resilience workshops; urge broader visioning","audioSeconds",455,"startMs",3554000,"endMs",4009000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2709760-1d0124dbf3f034b4e7de9fa07e64dbc7&start=3554&end=4009","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2709760-1d0124dbf3f034b4e7de9fa07e64dbc7/thumbnail_3554000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6119989/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-members-reflect-on-Easy-Street-coastal-resilience-workshops-urge-broader-visioning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119989-024b94c20d785ad0f8b31626358e810b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214969&Signature=J~ccP-Gb01DOeAWHVekoD4AAgZVTOhgynrGjz0wF9XMsRYMfz0rd0C5nXWMW3dlxvuXoE8orSF2VDk4DB7D5TBRgc8P23I3N3ITTc~WLPlKbk73wbLRU-JzcuAt1eAWomq1BIxcigSnKfbVtb8rDO9h4EXpyQ2XpLaE61nz70n4H3fzC~JsSRQkqq1l6T0QP-ahLJ0k9Rjb8hvUocia9SH4cDNuKxp1poU9JQRmRquk9jJS703pl58Jb-07cfhXnWznwEmZV5KGi937RbsMskf1kSmP8W~JNWc1mMky~lMAHoQ-oBicfmzruwDS~ypB5e8eF7ngECiV3BgxSU748Cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town-County of Nantucket, MA","date","2025-03-20T10:54:12Z","article","Select Board members and staff reported on recent coastal resilience workshops concerning Easy Street and downtown resilience at the March 19 meeting, and several members urged a broader, long-term vision for circulation and flood protection.

A Select Board member who attended the workshops said roughly 15–20 people attended a morning session and described three design choices presented for Easy Street. She said the material “made me also think about, you know, because we don't there's a lot of different aspects to it, but it makes me wonder, is there another way to tackle this?” The presenter stressed that the designs were at about 30% and that pump reliability and access for higher-elevation properties were key challenges.

Board members compared the Easy Street choices to national examples; one member cited “Dutch dialogues” in Charleston, South Carolina, where planners prioritized higher-elevation properties and used road-level cisterns and drainage to reduce reliance on pumps. Members discussed tradeoffs including the prospect of raising downtown areas, loss of some parking and road segments at certain tide stages, and whether steamboat/terminal access and vehicle circulation could be adjusted to reduce downtown vehicle demand.

The Select Board framed the workshops as part of a wider set of planning efforts — master planning, area visioning and infrastructure sequencing — and called for continued community conversation. Members said the conversation should include consideration of how public access, parking, and vehicle movements might change as the town designs flood protections and that residents must be prepared for substantial changes over 10–30 years.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Nantucket Select Board - March 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members reported on recent coastal resiliency workshops for the Easy Street area, discussed design tradeoffs and raised the need for broader, long-term planning for downtown elevation and vehicle circulation.","taxTitle","Nantucket County, Massachusetts","taxId",61456,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6119994,"Select Board weighs short-term rental warrant articles after judge’s order and Lake Tahoe ruling",624,2397000,3021000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2709760-1d0124dbf3f034b4e7de9fa07e64dbc7&start=2397&end=3021","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2709760-1d0124dbf3f034b4e7de9fa07e64dbc7/thumbnail_2397000.jpg","/articles/6119994/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-weighs-short-term-rental-warrant-articles-after-judges-order-and-Lake-Tahoe-ruling","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119994-647599cba65e2f3f98d54671e8146f7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214969&Signature=ChHR6tnnRBMzMVkPVM5WBGxpxHdYhHTHZAG94hLkCi0Czyv6TQNErkkFoS3ps9USnnT5716-AaT1BxW9LhIuEtlmTLPvaJUoM-F9064IQKLF8E-kUT2KrLBgi-kTMVtfPz3MuHjah0cj97ddJSy5UnVlIC~wKsmdopeJHCBwANM3bwI3fPC50l8Z9Hv6~8LPEPu4lHXck4dgWyI59yJoxf173YQj97SScFK1O3dAfh4NB8KIHIMJgJxrIVMVmS~ORf5M0SVzha9hFzhYWuj5OYwmwvSYTj7gXW9RqlpolAl7PxSoL~lbN6UnPmz1AUCcAxiAq2uDxQl-MKO1S-nmtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Select Board members spent a substantial portion of their March 19 meeting reviewing possible Select Board comments for Annual Town Meeting articles addressing short-term rentals, and heard from Town Counsel about a newly issued court order tied to pending litigation.

John Georgio, the town’s counsel, told the board that “Judge Veil today did issue an order in which he's asked the parties for further briefing on the issues that were litigated at the trial.” Georgio said the order must be analyzed and that he would provide the board a memorandum on the order and an analysis of the recent South Lake Tahoe decision, but on a confidential basis because the matter is in active litigation. He warned the board that if zoning is not resolved at Town Meeting, the town risks losing local control in litigation and that “if you're sued for a constitutional violation and the party prevails, the court would likely award attorneys fees for the prevailing party.”

Discussion among board members focused on three citizen warrant articles (66, 67, 68) and the long-standing recommendation from the Short-Term Rental Workgroup to codify allowances in the zoning bylaw while regulating details in the General Bylaw. Several board members expressed preference for a combined approach — “codify in zoning and regulate in general by law” — but acknowledged Town Meeting previously rejected companion general bylaw language and that passing a standalone zoning codification may not achieve the intended balance.

Select Board member Matt said he would recuse himself if the board moves to make outreach or comment on short-term rental articles. Several members noted the recent South Lake Tahoe decision (a court ruling that invalidated a local STR ban on interstate commerce grounds) and debated whether the town’s proposed articles adequately address commerce-clause concerns. Georgio said some articles could be crafted to avoid regulating based solely on residency, but his advice was that combining zoning and a companion general bylaw (a package presented together) is the strongest path to preserve local control.

Georgio committed to providing the board a confidential memo with the judge’s order and an analysis of the Lake Tahoe decision so the Select Board can weigh litigation risk and decide whether to submit Select Board comments or draft alternative articles before the warrant is finalized next week.

","With a Town Meeting warrant containing multiple short-term rental articles, Select Board members debated whether to endorse Article 66 and awaited a recent court order; Town counsel said a judge has requested further briefing and warned of litigation risk if zoning is not resolved by voters.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6119998,"Select Board ends Pleasant Street one-way pilot, urges encroachment remediation",426,1807000,2233000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2709760-1d0124dbf3f034b4e7de9fa07e64dbc7&start=1807&end=2233","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2709760-1d0124dbf3f034b4e7de9fa07e64dbc7/thumbnail_1807000.jpg","/articles/6119998/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-ends-Pleasant-Street-one-way-pilot-urges-encroachment-remediation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119998-34a2d464a70f7b519b408fda832739fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214969&Signature=Fw3Hx0Ylum1PCCay~IeXzGG0eVC5dnN1lGQVt2X0uul2ZNRAcD1Uero~90Vp3UZkXO8Twt~4jB5Sq4YTdeqAM4y7bysZtEv9TsCg~kDCHH5Rb63jYorTQQZIHrwUKgCDAbYXvhCxVrRWoFwdbqXsSKi40zE49zFRJl~L0T~LZihWfZkPJrSglF-Amg8hUPY1sIsgCecqgzreg4eX2vb7TJI1-BPiaT9nN9JMcURCNE8hOpMjuV1KhRd4PV7BPL5f4NtjqVIOyIuNR7hvU3hq-PYprZm4PtGFSAkfZlBaIJYHcLiyV9HNjOuvkAprBVg~g25pRW~kgVNS9YtdELy97Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Select Board voted unanimously on March 19 to end the Pleasant Street one-way pilot program effective immediately and asked staff to begin the process of obtaining easements and removing encroachments needed for a permanent sidewalk.

Select Board members and public commenters described the pilot as a safety problem during a quiet March period and said it was causing traffic conflicts at key intersections. Select Board member Don (referenced by first name in the meeting) said prolonged complaints and an overlapping Atlantic closure had made the pilot impractical; resident Curtis Barnes told the board he had “never seen anyone walking in the reserved area except today” and urged the board to end the experiment. Amy Eldridge said she had recorded a driver “driving the wrong way” and described multiple incidents that left traffic at a standstill.

At the meeting the board discussed whether to continue spending for further traffic study versus moving to permanent fixes. The motion adopted—moved and seconded—directed staff to discontinue the pilot program immediately and added a friendly amendment from Select Board member Tom to proceed with the process of removing encroachments to improve traffic safety. Chair Moore called for a vote and declared it unanimous.

Town staff told the board Pleasant Street is on the town’s paving list and will be paved once competing projects and the island’s asphalt plant availability allow. The board discussed the pilot as part of a larger set of circulation improvements, including possible roundabout work at Atlantic Avenue and school-area traffic measures.

","After public complaints and safety concerns, the Select Board voted unanimously to discontinue the Pleasant Street one-way pilot and to pursue easements and removal of encroachments to allow installation of a sidewalk.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6120002,"Select Board approves draw from Special Education Reserve to cover tuition shortfall",309,1550000,1859000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2709760-1d0124dbf3f034b4e7de9fa07e64dbc7&start=1550&end=1859","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2709760-1d0124dbf3f034b4e7de9fa07e64dbc7/thumbnail_1550000.jpg","/articles/6120002/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-approves-draw-from-Special-Education-Reserve-to-cover-tuition-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120002-bda6c2dd29dea2a7e7a546d612926b66/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214969&Signature=chTtiezurLTBMfDqCRAdgJPLkn7TbKT5vV0mHj3n9xNaXfbfB2Rd7ryxWiYbeyiGe6510~Gck5GUfAQnhlyyNzmM3PtyIvBWeaGjxTYsfuJTJmVIMkry-fJUk8Pms~o4tzSnQK3Tz2pwwEq6o4mEVUBJVzbg1zd0tBasoVg0pto6~kzRU7IJVVnAhPz9xZ2KZdQvw4eI1jcCdPdBoq2R-EUbdnrACX8xCL2pOX8Tkf3xAeVNt6ybW3Tc8900WpKKWteCxcU5t8ej48HYyJMbEuRk5~TKYk-b68tTg0TnDQuVexHI-h6ij2Y8Hw3kZuVpqf-Zv4h0zAjPjs2nZXk3HA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nantucket Select Board unanimously approved a request on March 19 to use funds from the town’s Special Education Reserve Fund to cover out-of-district special education tuitions.

Martin, representing Nantucket Public Schools, told the board that tuition costs have risen several years after the COVID period and that the district currently has 11 out-of-district students. He said tuitions for those placements range roughly from $109,000 to $322,000 per student and that the district is already facing a roughly $747,000 deficit this fiscal year for tuition costs.

Martin said the district expects a larger state “circuit breaker” reimbursement next year compared with last year’s $540,000, and that the increased reimbursement should help narrow the gap going forward. He told the board the district was seeking to use money from a reserve fund established by Article 32 at the 2018 annual town meeting; that fund’s balance was described in the presentation as $700,000. The presentation identified a remaining balance of approximately $250,000 after the proposed draw, and school committee approval was obtained at its March 18 meeting.

A Select Board member moved to approve the request; the motion was seconded and passed with unanimous “Aye” votes.

The board did not provide additional conditions beyond the standard requirement that expenditures from reserve accounts receive Select Board approval.

","The Select Board unanimously authorized use of the town’s Special Education Reserve Fund to cover a projected out-of-district tuition deficit for Nantucket Public Schools.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6120006,"Select Board names members of African Meeting House procurement work group",841,787000,1628000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2709760-1d0124dbf3f034b4e7de9fa07e64dbc7&start=787&end=1628","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2709760-1d0124dbf3f034b4e7de9fa07e64dbc7/thumbnail_787000.jpg","/articles/6120006/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-names-members-of-African-Meeting-House-procurement-work-group","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120006-3ad0e4273a464b5cb88019ecfa49c995/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214969&Signature=GVAxJ6uPZ6vcF0yS8j0Fh3KTQaHebCZxD0SQ1MlMdGYXx1rY~GxMvdcyOc5~Tuoh1HH6oZgzVzhitwvYrcwaxMjopeYRmzA85BclmQPj0wdrkQLpFELMGppQPUgUr~7PBRQhDeByTftTWkynD4PnV3ky3Wnzcx2mQvFhPctSzYdl5YyjeChoWzNQ7XoJV0NN6Y5GBf4xIFhJvQMSTASHPKbR9AcK6Sum9H4No1HR~Qk-92dTFhDWopX6oPpUULX~sogCaZG5tInBh8MEvXoUSDKa89yDnWPYuR0vvYL8OaJDNLmJAZtg0EHgLHb6xUGJhZTMxqHS4pbL9P42gnKkhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nantucket Select Board on March 19 appointed members to the African Meeting House Investigation Procurement Work Group, the group that will recommend a vendor to review how a prior investigation was carried out.

The board emphasized the group's narrow charge at the outset. Chair Moore said the work group's “purview is solely to determine to make a recommendation to the select board as to who will perform that review.” The work group will not re-open the underlying investigation, the chair added.

The board appointed by acclamation three designated members: Cliff Williams as the appointed representative of the citizen group that filed the town-warned article; Dr. Noel Trent of the Museum of African American History; and Select Board member Malcolm McNabb, who will chair the group.

Four applicants sought two at-large community seats. Each applicant was given time to speak. Abby De Molina, who said she had attended events at the African Meeting House, urged that “we do a thorough process” and asked the board to consider including a community member. Rocky Fox spoke to his record of local service and said he wanted “closure” and that having “someone who looks like me on this committee” was important for community optics. Brooke Gibbs said her family helped build the building and urged the board to seek justice.

Select Board members voted by paper ballot. Rocky Fox received five votes and, after a tie-breaker round between Luke Thornwell and Abby De Molina, the board appointed Luke Thornwell to the second at-large seat. Chair Moore read the ballots: “Chair Moore gave her votes to Rocky Fox and Luke Thornwell; Mr. Dixon, Abby de Molina and Rocky Fox; Mr. Fee, Brooke Gibbs and Rocky Fox; Ms. Holgate, Abby de Molina, and Rocky Fox; Dr. McNabb, Rocky Fox and Luke Thornwell.” The board declared the appointments and said Dr. McNabb will coordinate meeting logistics with town staff.

The Select Board noted the work group's meetings will be recorded and made available on the Town's YouTube page; Dr. Trent is in Boston so initial meetings may be Zoom-only.

Members appointed:
- Cliff Williams (designated representative of the citizen group)
- Dr. Noel Trent (Museum of African American History; designated member)
- Malcolm McNabb (Select Board; designated member and chair of the work group)
- Rocky Fox (community member; at-large appointee)
- Luke Thornwell (community member; at-large appointee)

The board said the work group's limited assignment is to recommend a vendor to review the prior investigation; any further action would come later if the review produces recommendations for the Select Board to address.

","The Select Board appointed members to a work group charged with selecting a vendor to review a prior investigation of the African Meeting House incident. Two at-large community members were chosen by ballot.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Select Board members reflect on Easy Street coastal-resilience workshops; urge broader visioning

Select Board weighs short-term rental warrant articles after judge’s order and Lake Tahoe ruling

Select Board ends Pleasant Street one-way pilot, urges encroachment remediation

Select Board approves draw from Special Education Reserve to cover tuition shortfall

Select Board names members of African Meeting House procurement work group