Trust highlights outreach gains after town meeting; calls for regular quarterly distribution

The Nantucket Affordable Housing Trust told members on May 6 that recent advertising and printed materials increased community visibility ahead of annual town meeting and supported the Trust’s priorities.

Trust staff said flyers, paid ads in local papers and social media posts — along with a trifold flyer summarizing recent accomplishments — reached community members and likely contributed to favorable outcomes at town meeting. Christie, a Trust staff member, said information was posted on the Trust’s packet and the select board packet and that the Trust will produce short video testimonies from people who benefited from funding.

Trust members asked staff to distribute quarterly select‑board reports and to post updates on the Trust website and the town’s social channels so residents can access routine updates year‑round rather than only before major meetings. Trustee Tom Dixon praised the group’s unplanned coordination at town meeting and noted that Article 82, the seasonal communities designation, passed at town meeting without being called, which he described as “a major bonus” for the Trust’s work.

Board members also discussed using the Town’s advertising channels and external newsletters to get quarterly updates into residents’ inboxes. Trustee Chantal urged broader use of town and partner mailing lists and recommended extracting short themes from the full quarterly report for social posts that direct readers back to the website for details.

In a brief award announcement at the meeting, staff said Beth Ann Meehan was named the 2025 recipient of the Howard Dickler Housing Advocacy Award for her long‑time involvement with local housing organizations and first‑time‑homebuyer financing; the acknowledgment was presented during town meeting, where Meehan was in attendance. The award announcement was described as recognition of long‑term advocacy rather than a policy action.