Nantucket Article 10 seeks $1.56 million for vehicles, fire equipment and school security

Town of Nantucket staff presented Article 10 seeking $1,560,000 to replace aging municipal vehicles and equipment, add heating in fire apparatus bays, replace a fire-prevention vehicle and upgrade school security cameras. The request is contingent on voter approval of a Proposition 2 1/2 capital outlay exclusion at town meeting and Question 5 on the town election ballot.

The request would fund Department of Public Works replacements, including a 20-year-old front-end loader and a 10-year-old hand-wheel dump truck used in snow-and-ice operations and emergency response. The proposal also would install suspended heaters in fire-department apparatus bays to help maintain safe temperatures for medications and IV fluids stored in ambulances. The fire-prevention vehicle would replace a 2015 Ford Expedition with a Ford F-150 pickup equipped for prevention services. The article includes funds to upgrade the public schools' security camera system.

Town staff told meeting attendees that, if voters approve both the capital outlay exclusion at town meeting and Question 5 at election, the estimated tax impact for an average year-round property valued at $2,058,091 that qualifies for the residential exemption would be approximately $49.36 for one year. The funding is not authorized until those voter approvals occur.

The proposal and supporting materials are posted at nantucket-ma.gov/atm2025. Town staff did not record a formal town vote on Article 10 during the meeting; the article will proceed to the town meeting and town election for voter consideration.