The Advisory Committee of Non‑Voting Taxpayers heard updates on the town council study committee, master‑plan input sessions and publicity efforts for the committee’s meetings.

Why it matters: Changes to municipal governance or the town master plan would affect how decisions are made, what projects are prioritized and how nonresident taxpayers can engage with the town.

Town council charter study: Donna (committee representative) reported that the town council study committee was preparing a draft charter and that the committee expects to present materials to the select board and legal counsel. She said the committee planned more informational sessions before the annual town meeting (ATM) and aimed to be prepared for a fall special town meeting with legal approval of the draft charter.

The committee said a nonbinding “sense of the meeting” vote on the town council question is expected at the spring ATM and additional outreach would occur during local elections (where turnout is typically higher). The study committee intends short presentations for ATM attendees, distribution of informational material and further informational meetings leading up to any special town meeting.

Master plan input sessions: Members discussed a town effort to solicit public responses to five broad master‑plan questions about what respondents like and dislike about Nantucket, what is missing, future opportunities and challenges, and one improvement respondents would make. Civic associations expressed concern that prior detailed area plans may not be fully incorporated into the consultant‑led master plan; town staff replied that incorporation methods are still being defined.

Public outreach and next steps: Committee members agreed to circulate the five master‑plan questions to interested members and to allow individuals or small groups to submit feedback directly to the town. Staff contact information and an email for the town council study committee were shared for members and the public to follow agendas and receive notifications.

Scheduling and follow‑up: The committee agreed to move its February meeting to Feb. 15 to receive a capital‑planning presentation from town finance staff. Members asked that the town finance presentation and capital plan materials be circulated in advance.

Ending: Committee chair encouraged members to recruit participants and publicize meetings; members noted increased public turnout for the Steamship Authority presentation and agreed to continue outreach.