Commission readies bids for monument restoration; funding and legal review remain unresolved

The Nantucket Cemetery Commission reported that bids for monument restoration work at Newtown (referred to in meeting as Newtown/New North) are due Friday and that members are preparing to evaluate submissions while resolving funding and legal questions.

Commission staff said the first phase of work would be released for bids this week with a deadline on Friday; the commission intends to release additional scopes later depending on contract pricing. Staff cited an estimated request previously made to CPC of approximately $157,000 but said that current low bids could be closer to $100,000, and members discussed the need to prioritize work or change the scope if contract prices come in lower than originally requested.

The Chair said she had not yet received a substantive legal update from Tracy about Newtown's formal status; town counsel and town council are reviewing matters and the process is moving slowly while town staff completes work for an upcoming town meeting. Commission members agreed to reconvene on Monday with bid results and to prioritize where to apply available funds based on the low-bid outcome.

Members also noted that keeping the contract scope flexible would let the commission prioritize safety-related or category-one restoration work if funding is insufficient to complete all proposed repairs. The commission said it will follow up with the town's legal contact and report back on progress.