Select board approves Universal Pictures production after public concerns; conditions to be finalized by town administration

The Nantucket Select Board voted 3–1 Wednesday to permit a Universal Pictures production to film on-island from Sept. 10 to Oct. 2, approving a package of noise-waiver, street‑blocking and film permits while directing town administration to finalize the precise conditions.

Shantal Bliss Murphy, the town’s director of culture and tourism, briefed the board on a comprehensive permit package that includes noise‑bylaw waivers at select locations, intermittent and full street closures on specific days, and film permits for several private and public properties. Murphy said the town and production have agreed to a strengthened notification process for affected residents and businesses.

“ We wanted to present this ask as a blanket ask to you all as 1, a notification to the select board and to the community,” Murphy said, noting the production requested a number of early‑morning and nighttime exceptions and that the request had been refined after walk‑throughs with public‑safety staff.

Greg Chiodo, the production’s location manager, told the board, “We understand that we’ll be guests in your community,” and said the company is working on private agreements with property owners and with local nonprofits to offset impacts.

The application prompted extensive public comment. Peter Burke of the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce said film projects can yield long‑term tourism benefits that may help shoulder‑season businesses. Several residents and nonprofit leaders — including representatives from the Sconset Trust and civic associations — raised concerns about potential disruption to weddings, use of the bluff walk and other sensitive sites, and whether the community would receive tangible benefit. Julie Reddick Mead of the Sconset Trust asked for clarity about lighting and weekend activity; Murphy said plans had been adjusted and that artificial lighting requests had been removed after community conversations.

Select board members sought additional assurances. Commissioner Malcolm asked whether the production would make community donations and suggested a clear, written commitment; Murphy said the production had discussed contributions to local nonprofits but that those conversations were continuing. Murphy also described town fees: $100 per day for private property film permits, $1,100 plus $100 per day for public property uses, and separate police‑detail fees, and she told the board the local economic impact to all businesses could be in the millions.

Board members also asked for an after‑action review. Chair Matt said the town administration should prepare a brief post‑production report on actual disruptions and benefits so the board and public can evaluate outcomes and inform any future policy changes.

Dawn Hill moved that the board approve the permit requests (items a, b and c) with final details to be worked out through town administration; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call, 3–1, with Commissioner Malcolm voting no and Commissioner Brooke recused. The board required continued coordination between the production and town departments, public‑safety agencies and neighborhood stakeholders.

Staff said they will finalize detailed conditions, coordinate neighborhood notifications, ensure necessary police details are secured, and request a post‑production after‑action summary. The board also asked staff to review film‑permitting timelines and rules to avoid late‑stage permitting in future productions.