The Nantucket Planning Board voted on Jan. 12 to ask staff to draft a letter for the vice chair to sign requesting a joint meeting with the Board of Health and other regional bodies to discuss proposed septic regulation changes.

Staff alerted the board that the Board of Health is proposing “fairly substantial septic regulation changes,” including inspection requirements, new upgrade standards and alterations to the credits that in some cases allowed advanced treatment (IA) systems to support additional bedrooms. Staff warned those changes could increase costs for homeowners, complicate efforts to create year‑round or attainable units and impose new monitoring and compliance duties.

“Those added septic regulations would have a significant monetary impact on owners that could be prohibitive for the creation of more year‑round or attainable units,” a staff member told the board, calling attention to separate proposals for the Hammock Pond Watershed and the Wellhead Protection District.

Board members and several public commenters sought clarity on the technical goals and likely effects of the changes. A regional planning representative suggested the issue would benefit from a coordinated, regional approach, citing federal and state programs — including EPA revolving loans and grants — that regional planning agencies can use to finance infrastructure or mitigation. Emily Molden of the Nantucket Land and Water Council urged the board to consider both nitrogen reduction goals and the different conditions in the Wellhead Protection District versus the Hammock Pond watershed.

On specific technical points, staff and presenters discussed the performance of IA (advanced treatment) systems and the maintenance contracts they require. Estimates mentioned in the meeting ranged from roughly $1,000 to $2,500 per year for annual maintenance and post‑installation costs of tens of thousands of dollars for system purchase and installation, depending on system type and site conditions.

After public comment and board discussion, the board approved a motion directing staff to draft a letter for the vice chair to sign requesting a joint meeting with the Board of Health and other relevant entities (the board discussed including the Nantucket Planning & Development Committee and other regional groups). The motion passed with recorded votes in favor.

The board noted the Board of Health planned a continuation of its public hearing later that week; members said they wanted to coordinate so that planning, housing and water‑quality objectives — and available funding sources — are considered together.

The Board of Health’s proposed regulatory language and any formal hearing notices remain the authoritative sources on the specifics of the changes. The planning board’s letter, as approved, asks for a joint discussion to better understand the intended regulatory outcomes, the costs to homeowners and options for financial or technical support.

The planning board continued other agenda items after the vote; the joint‑meeting letter will be drafted by staff and circulated to the board for final sign‑off before transmission.