[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6162274,"mediaKeyId","5439630-a21717e87da8052fd67d40093386a029","parentId",5439630,"title","Nantucket commission, preservation groups press town for answers on Civil War monument repair","audioSeconds",759,"startMs",239325,"endMs",998735,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5439630-a21717e87da8052fd67d40093386a029&start=239&end=998","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5439630-a21717e87da8052fd67d40093386a029/thumbnail_239325.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6162274/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Nantucket-commission-preservation-groups-press-town-for-answers-on-Civil-War-monument-repair","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162274-cc2342842f9d0e0075d3a52f4cb7972a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775183814&Signature=Bxx2-3-XsPL3OwhDZNpPJqn9qNRe77tU7m5CHBMlF1EamObf9sA91zf0r3~lBYlcJWD1a7vNJaRQ8pmlXo2gMmEWTWAdPDwCyoEWORr8jrux0XBV0RCG-Qh-6bKB-fAmLbOXfpxPeKNsoi5NS-Wt59Pf5RiEA47bAEN0Opr-SWbfDc3FMBgR3kDHFM5JaDJzWcPsZvIxBanR1Uz-wkz~sMxty6ZFE1A2ufzgoSirNeytR5TE~sHYcRNAf9EXkfHOxgVMA2kYL9CQN66~7my0wSnunVnRcbPraGMh5lzgiRyVS62CDQiTDTclvixWVeF-EU2G-q1mV60AvAF2JWYLmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town-County of Nantucket, MA","date","2025-07-21T12:46:51Z","article","The Nantucket Historical Commission and local preservation groups pressed town staff on July 18 about a recent repair to the Civil War monument, saying the work used mismatched granite, is uneven and does not match the historic appearance.

The commission chair, Rita Carr, said commissioners had hoped to see a year of patina on new stone but that visible differences went beyond weathering: the new material is a different cut and finish and the top elevations of posts and the surrounding curb do not match the originals. \"The granite that was used in the repair doesn't match the surrounding granite,\" Carr said.

At a hearing that included public comment from Michael Harrison, chief curator of the Nantucket Historical Association, and Mary Bergman of the Nantucket Preservation Trust, speakers said the repair diminished the monument's historic integrity and visibility. \"It feels to us that the monument has not been repaired in a way that's consistent with its integrity and its appearance,\" Harrison said, offering a list of preservation firms and artisans who could source matching stone.

Commissioners and members of the public described several visible problems: new posts that sit higher than the original post; a finished surface dressed differently from surrounding stone; and soil and planting grades that appear altered around the base. Commissioner Sarah McClain suggested recutting the post tops and lowering the curb to align elevations; Commissioner George and others discussed the possibility that the contractor reduced the monument footprint during work, creating different grading around the planting bed.

Holly Backus, the town preservation planner and staff liaison, said the repair originated as an insurance claim and that the insurance company preselected the contractor. \"They basically preselected this group to do this work,\" Backus said. She also said the town does have material on site but that staff have not yet received a full scope or vendor documentation. Backus asked the commission to send a consolidated list of questions so she can follow up with the Department of Public Works director, Drew.

The Nantucket Historical Association offered to help the town identify firms and stonemasons who can match stone and dressing; Harrison provided a list of three preservation and building-conservation firms for the commission and asked staff how best to submit it. Backus said she would accept the list and pass it on through the town channels.

No formal vote was taken. The commission directed staff to summarize the commission's outstanding questions and concerns and send them to the DPW director for clarification, with Backus to copy the commission on correspondence. Commissioners and preservation advocates said the town should consider whether insurance-driven selections limit the ability to secure specialized conservation work for historic stone features.

The commission said it will revisit the topic when staff report back with DPW responses and with any documentation about preexisting material and contractor scope.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Historical Commission - 7/18/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Nantucket Historical Commission and preservation groups pressed town staff on July 18 about a recent repair to the Civil War monument, saying the work used mismatched granite, is uneven and does not match the historic appearance.","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},6162259,"Commission discusses demolition-by-neglect referrals, asks staff for a formal notification process",186,1312490,1498795,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5439630-a21717e87da8052fd67d40093386a029&start=1312&end=1498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5439630-a21717e87da8052fd67d40093386a029/thumbnail_1312490.jpg","/articles/6162259/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Commission-discusses-demolition-by-neglect-referrals-asks-staff-for-a-formal-notification-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162259-d16eb4b6d6df566bb58a75f60047d4e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775183815&Signature=WIWBIOu5pWq2ABoxx4uFqdn0xY4Wow0ziUVVBD7NpIAapWdKQ00nzKb80BL3YdRiCNyKDlmjiP~OUt0Yhnje9XNy9PTCuzfsaOSKLs-5pwSOcFdXzKgP1l8OtPLNXjVN1t~Ts~iQlkCm-LRzd6ytmwq97Pc05g4jjiWU7z~tZKJgv-Oc1C3OZ9ba1jE1dqWQrhoEevtub~AwHHF2MxfAJXREyMv0CrXKKGjQdbdWRzBt2zyBq0bmhe~NsFXNgn2IUKGi-~wJT7-mWztIrWCZEeRThenmtNH~qMNCahPFTsydU41LyUb7Mw~Rg8sMT80lCKFLzm-hDs5mW~JPj~shlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nantucket Historical Commission discussed July 18 how it might take a more active role in identifying properties at risk of demolition by neglect and coordinating referrals to enforcement channels.

Chair Rita Carr said the commission heard from the Historic District Commission (HDC) and the Massachusetts Historical Commission about minimum-maintenance and potential violations and that the historical commission could assist by flagging properties of concern.

Holly Backus, preservation planner, described the town’s existing enforcement practice and staff roles. She said staff and HDC enforcement letters are typically sent by Kathy Flynn or Nikki Sheriff and that staff maintain a list of properties under enforcement. \"There is a teamwork approach to that,\" Backus said. She said some enforcement matters can take a long time and occasionally require court action.

Commissioners suggested either an agenda item each month to raise properties of concern or compiling a spreadsheet so commissioners can report addresses they observe. Backus said staff would work to make enforcement status more tangible to commissioners and asked them to contact staff when they see neglected properties so staff can confirm whether a citation is on file or whether further action is needed.

No formal referral vote was taken; commissioners and staff agreed to coordinate informally and to consider discussing a formal process at future meetings if needed.","The commission discussed a more active role identifying properties at risk of demolition by neglect and coordinating referrals to enforcement channels. Staff described existing enforcement roles and advised commissioners to report properties of concern so staff can check citations and compliance history.",{"_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},6162265,"Commission seeks funding and procurement fixes to speed historic resource surveys",63,1694080,1758065,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5439630-a21717e87da8052fd67d40093386a029&start=1694&end=1758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5439630-a21717e87da8052fd67d40093386a029/thumbnail_1694080.jpg","/articles/6162265/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Commission-seeks-funding-and-procurement-fixes-to-speed-historic-resource-surveys","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162265-4152e21a2959d0de63b0c0b8b350792c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775183815&Signature=o~uV-ETiZg9XLskGp-BMB7k9Wc-1BEwabSNVugzfz5oyXx~Wfd0XFc91klOzvmoIasCWGcTGut7q~LvTL8frPDJzSUhrb71MoY2dHhmspu42eHxvPVkJblvOxdlbdzxucLiJhGyn5veJ0~PDgaSEjqT~ZXNEGS86foAziU~Ar1344HlGLK~T6l4f2ZvCCPhp3dSUdgGzx8DtoIXw6~O2DuJ4ArosMB9lz3~xV-BZhTgk3uBc9o-ByAf7xJOsnbbnv~br9M-UZ~ZFZ799G2OaTHi-RdOpA4F~jG9NX5bZoFtp8qzSxD9p-jdi1ypgn9gLXVYvMzJETwX2Za0pXCVhMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nantucket Historical Commission on July 18 discussed multiple funding sources and procurement obstacles affecting island historic resource surveys, including delayed Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) grants and a new town procurement portal that staff said lengthens the consultant-selection process.

Holly Backus, the town preservation planner, said the commission remains an active Certified Local Government (CLG) and that MHC provides federal historic-preservation funding to the state, which in turn allocates at least 10% to CLGs. She said the town has fiscal-23 MHC funds and an RFQ update is in progress, but procurement changes and staffing constraints at MHC are slowing the process.

Backus outlined other funding sources: a wind-farm community-benefits allocation the town received for survey work on town-owned scattered properties, and Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funds. She said CPC-funded projects are generally easier from a procurement standpoint and that she plans to apply to CPC for professional scanning of the town's aerial photographs.

Backus described active survey work this summer: a reconnaissance (recon) survey in the New Guinea/West Monomoy area being carried out with a program referred to as PIN and university partners, expected to produce roughly 250 survey forms. She said MHC’s current Form B survey methodology is labor intensive and that recon work to assemble historical context first is an important step.

Commissioners asked about timing. Backus said she has submitted draft RFQ material into the town procurement portal (OpenGov) and is waiting for procurement clearance; she hoped to have an update within a month. She also said she would prepare draft CPC applications for the commission’s August review ahead of the CPC deadline of Sept. 8.

Commissioners discussed additional survey opportunities with Penn (Pennsylvania) and the University of Florida, and Commissioner Angus McLeod said he had spoken with Dr. Clary Larkin at Penn about expanding that partnership for additional neighborhoods.

No formal vote occurred. Staff committed to circulate draft CPC applications in August and to continue coordinating survey work with university partners and consultants.","The commission discussed delays to historic resource survey work tied to procurement changes, uncertainty in Massachusetts Historical Commission funding and an active recon survey project with Penn/University of Florida; staff will pursue CPC funding for aerial scans and continue work on RFQs.",{"_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},6162270,"Commission conditionally approves letter of support for Sankaty Lighthouse CPC application",92,134270,226815,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5439630-a21717e87da8052fd67d40093386a029&start=134&end=226","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5439630-a21717e87da8052fd67d40093386a029/thumbnail_134270.jpg","/articles/6162270/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Commission-conditionally-approves-letter-of-support-for-Sankaty-Lighthouse-CPC-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162270-16317610ea25a08ffbd1dfdf48eeb42f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775183815&Signature=Y-yRZMm3Q1iThwXvddiyWj7AP-IeT2uODq6BTfDiSTCCS0Gg~DwvVgB7X86KfuS05fCJ5lv5q6CZG7RH0DH8IdkisieWL-23wQFAQWk8Wd3M0vTOeTNyxgV6NREWAplZ9pJxq7mRO-0weXveDEYRabHiRSt0Yj~05Hw45hO0h4cOXgo2qkfihFvnnn7oyo9h-~lMX7ZbtCW87V4xU~nG88wguh~oLNRtdDb80uHH5NqfJ7fV4v5bSVZEr~bwZIgKXz94ct6CosZccuRA9Of01ftL-hnVtFXP9r~L-V3zMnNL0A5tP8JQlm6pN57BUmJcVdD8NJspJvgxWb6RLZEn5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nantucket Historical Commission on July 18 voted unanimously to conditionally approve writing a letter of support for an application seeking Community Preservation Committee funding for repairs at Sankaty Lighthouse, pending receipt of a draft application.

Commission Chair Rita Carr proposed the commission either wait for further materials from the applicant or conditionally approve a letter contingent on receiving the draft application. Commissioner George moved the conditional-approval motion and Commissioner Sarah McClain seconded it. The motion passed with all commissioners present voting aye.

Holly Backus, the town’s preservation planner, said staff had not received the applicant’s materials yet. Carr said the commission typically prefers to review a draft application before finalizing a letter of support. The commission agreed to reach out to the applicant and prepare a letter after reviewing the draft application.

No funding decision was made by the commission; the vote authorized staff to prepare a letter once staff receives and the commissioners review the draft application.","The Nantucket Historical Commission voted unanimously to conditionally approve a letter of support for a Community Preservation Committee application to repair Sankaty Lighthouse, pending receipt of a draft application for review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Nantucket commission, preservation groups press town for answers on Civil War monument repair

Commission discusses demolition-by-neglect referrals, asks staff for a formal notification process

Commission seeks funding and procurement fixes to speed historic resource surveys

Commission conditionally approves letter of support for Sankaty Lighthouse CPC application