County commissioners approve 6-month extension as work advances on Sheep Pond Road alternate access

The Nantucket County commissioners on March 26 approved a six-month extension of a temporary easement and heard a progress report on plans to build an alternate access road serving Sheep Pond Road, which residents have used while coastal erosion has affected the original route.

County staff said the town is negotiating a memorandum of understanding with the Nantucket Conservation Foundation to allow the new road to cross Foundation land in exchange for conveyance of property to the Foundation. Real estate specialist Tracy (last name not specified) told the board the foundation preferred the least expensive, lowest-impact roadway design. The town also is finalizing a permanent easement between the Sheep Pond residents and the Foundation that the MOU would require to be executed within 30 days of the MOU’s execution.

Tracy said staff have secured a six-month extension of the temporary easement being used on Head of Plains Road and asked the commission to execute that extension because it expires at the end of the month. She said the town is working with a surveyor on a final easement plan now that the roadway design has been chosen and that the town will need Natural Heritage/State agency permitting before construction can begin.

Commissioners discussed the difficulties of addressing roads threatened by sea-level rise and erosion. Commissioner Mike (first name only in transcript) said state rules have not kept pace with the reality of sea-level rise and noted the town cannot simply abandon a road if people rely on it for access and utilities. The board approved the temporary easement extension on a voice vote; a motion to approve was moved by Commissioner Matt and seconded by Commissioner Don.

What happens next: staff said that once the MOU is fully executed the town will update its Natural Heritage application, pursue permitting approvals, and initiate the betterment process — a municipal procedure that includes hearings, notifications and potential assessments to abutters — to fund and build the permanent access.

Commissioners and staff repeated that several documents remain to be completed, including the MOU, a final permit plan, and the permanent easement language. Tracy said those items are being worked concurrently so permitting and construction can proceed as quickly as possible after approvals.

Ending: Commissioners approved the six-month temporary easement extension unanimously and directed staff to continue negotiating the MOU and pursue the permitting and betterment steps needed to build the alternate access road.