Board of Health hears public support and housing‑support concerns on proposed Hummock Pond and wellhead protections

The Board of Health held a public hearing on Jan. 15 on draft amendments to the Hummock Pond watershed and Wellhead Protection District regulations that would tighten septic and nitrogen controls in sensitive areas.

Environmental staff said the changes aim to reduce nitrogen loading and protect groundwater and surface waters. “These changes would require innovative alternative systems (IA systems) for each property on new construction and would require existing properties to upgrade conventional systems upon transfer or failure,” Andrew Shapiro, the town’s environmental contamination administrator, told the board. He added the amendments would remove excess nitrogen‑loading credits beyond a defined lot‑area threshold and require Title 5 inspections every five years in affected zones.

Representatives from the Nantucket Land and Water Council and the housing department expressed broad support for the environmental goals but urged the board to retain a limited variance mechanism tied to strong conditions — for example, an IA system plus a year‑round deed restriction — and to pursue expanded financial assistance for year‑round residents (loan‑program expansion, hardship waivers, or annual maintenance support). Housing staff said many town‑owned affordable units are in the wellhead area and recommended measures to avoid forcing long‑term residents from their homes.

Board members indicated they were open to refining wording and asked staff and stakeholders to draft suggested regulatory text to preserve board discretion for narrowly defined variances while protecting water resources. No vote was taken; the board asked staff to circulate proposed language for review ahead of a future vote.

Why it matters: The amendments would reframe septic regulation in two nitrogen‑sensitive and water‑supply‑sensitive districts on Nantucket, with tradeoffs between environmental protection and housing affordability and feasibility for year‑round residents.

What’s next: Staff will work with housing and environmental stakeholders to draft specific variance language and possible loan/assistance options, then bring refined language back to the board for consideration and a future vote.

Provenance: Topic introduced SEG 3011; staff summary SEG 3060–3076; stakeholder recommendations SEG 3200–3530; board direction SEG 3880–3960.