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Commission cautions on survey momentum as CLG, wind‑farm and CPC funding face procurement delays
Summary
Preservation planner Holly Backus reported delays and uncertainty in state CLG reimbursements and a new procurement process (OpenGov) that is slowing historic resource surveys; the commission discussed leveraging CPC and wind‑farm funds, continuing University of Florida and PIN work, and supporting staff to expedite RFQs.
Preservation planner Holly Backus told the Nantucket Historical Commission on June 20 that several funding streams and administrative changes are affecting the town’s historic resource survey program.
Backus reported that a reimbursement for fiscal 2022 has been cut at the state level and that the town is awaiting procurement clearance in a new OpenGov software system before several projects can advance. She said the state CLG coordinator position has not been filled and that staff are juggling multiple grants, including wind‑farm funds earmarked to update form‑based continuation sheets and Community Preservation Committee (CPC) support for University of Florida / Penn work in the West Monomoy/New Guinea area.
Commission members urged finding ways to maintain momentum. Backus described the wind‑farm grant as funding continuation sheets for town‑owned historic resources and noted the CPC‑funded project with University of Florida (and associated PIN work) will provide baseline history and recon surveys that will be converted into MACRIS (Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System) form Bs. She said the wind‑farm request was under a threshold intended to streamline procurement but that the town’s move to OpenGov has introduced a learning curve and delays as staff convert to the new platform.
Commissioners offered to help where paperwork was needed and suggested issuing an RFQ this summer so consultant work could begin in the fall, but Backus cautioned she needs procurement staff availability and state approvals before launching contracts. The commission asked staff to return with clearer timing and any ways the body could assist with RFQs or documentation.
No formal procurement action or contract award was made at the meeting; the commission emphasized the priority of keeping survey work moving amid federal and state funding uncertainty.
