County approves $295,000 estimated betterment statement for Sheep Pond Road easement; construction to follow permitting

Nantucket County Commissioners on Sept. 17 voted unanimously to approve a betterment assessment statement estimating $295,000 in costs for a roadway-easement construction project on Sheep Pond Road, a step required before final assessments are recorded after project completion.

Why it matters: The assessment covers survey, legal, construction and recording costs for a roadway easement that residents said is necessary to preserve legal access to their properties; the county vote authorizes the procedure to proportionally allocate the project's actual costs to benefitting properties after construction.

Town counsel explained the Chapter 80 betterment process: the board first determines that the parcel group will receive benefits not shared by the general public; it then approves a betterment assessment statement with an estimated cost (the Sept. 17 vote set $295,000). Once construction concludes the county will compile actual costs, adopt a final order of betterment assessments and record the order with the Registry of Deeds; assessed amounts are certified to the tax assessor and collected through the tax collector. Property owners may pay the assessment in a lump sum or amortize it (the town noted a 20-year amortization option with interest). A lien for the assessment attaches to the properties until satisfied; if unpaid it may be foreclosed or otherwise resolved when title transfers.

Project status: Staff said permitting is nearly complete with Natural Heritage requirements likely satisfied by avoidance measures; a temporary easement has been extended to Dec. 31 to enable construction scheduling. Public works staff estimated construction could be completed in approximately six weeks once permits and permanent easements are finalized, subject to weather and contractor availability. The project team said the homeowners have formed an association to coordinate permanent easement maintenance obligations.

Next steps: County and town staff will finalize permanent-easement signatures, secure required permits, finalize construction contracting and, after completion, compile actual costs and issue final betterment assessments to affected parcels.