Consultants outline stormwater bylaw and utility proposal; board asks to leave technical thresholds to regulations

Consultants from Hazen & Sawyer presented a draft municipal stormwater bylaw Jan. 14 that would authorize the town to adopt detailed stormwater regulations and establish a stormwater utility to administer permits, collect fees and maintain infrastructure.

Hazen & Sawyer said the bylaw aims to consolidate scattered stormwater rules, address flooding and protect groundwater, and to provide the town greater control to avoid a formal MS4 (municipal separate storm sewer system) designation. Key policy choices for the Select Board included whether to put numeric triggers for land‑disturbing activity in the bylaw or leave them to the regulations, how to structure appeals timelines, and whether the staffing/organizational structure for the future utility should be specified in the bylaw or deferred to the regulations.

Consultants recommended keeping numeric thresholds and many operational details in the regulations for flexibility and stakeholder input, while the board emphasized clear outreach and recommended adopting appeal timeframes that mirror common municipal practice. County/town counsel said the proposed timelines are similar to those used by other Massachusetts municipalities. Board members also asked the consultants for sample step‑by‑step appeal scenarios, possible fee structures, and outreach plans tailored to Nantucket’s context.

The presentation concluded with staff and consultants agreeing to draft a final bylaw reflecting the board’s input and to circulate a version for review before the board considers the article for the warrant.