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Commission says state delay has left 25 acres of conservation holdings tied up; voters to consider transfer at town meeting
Summary
Commissioners reported the commission’s roughly 25 acres of holdings remain on the warrant for a town meeting transfer after a required state review did not advance last year; members urged public support and follow-up with legislators.
The Nantucket Conservation Commission used its May 1 special meeting to update members on roughly 25 acres of commission-held parcels proposed for transfer to another conservation entity, a step commissioners say requires local vote and state approval.
The transfers were approved at a prior town meeting and included a sale or transfer of several parcels—most notably a parcel at Bottom Pond of roughly 15 to 16 acres and smaller parcels on Long Pond Drive and several road-layout parcels on Ames Avenue. Commission staff reported the transfers had been authorized by town meeting but required action by the state legislature. "The state's legislature did nothing with them and now they're back on the warrant for the 2025 town meeting this Saturday," staff said during the meeting.
Commissioners explained that the parcels were originally donated to the commission with conservation-restriction intentions. Over time, staff and commissioners concluded other local land trusts or entities would be better positioned to manage and steward those parcels. The commission said the intended transfer is to a conservation trust (identified in meeting notes as the recipient), and that completing the transfer requires the state-level approval typically obtained through a home-rule or special legislative petition.
Commissioners asked members to attend and vote at the upcoming town meeting and discussed next steps to press the state process if the legislature again does not act. Staff advised following up with the town’s legislative representative if the town vote succeeds.
No formal transfer occurred at the May 1 meeting; the commission’s comments were informational and directed staff to continue coordination with town officials and the town’s legislative representative.
Commissioners emphasized that conveyances and transfers of commission-held land require multiple steps—town meeting approval, select-board action, and, in this case, legislative approval—and that the commission and staff will continue work on completing the transfers should voters approve them at the town meeting.
