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Nantucket’s Culture & Tourism seeks small operating bump for printing, cites 500 passport applicants
Summary
Chantal Blase Murphy told the Finance Committee the Culture & Tourism office is requesting a modest operating increase — $1,500 for printing and $500 for office supplies — to cover higher costs and new passport services after recent renovations. The department reported nearly 500 new passport applications last year.
Chantal Blase Murphy, director of Culture & Tourism, asked the Nantucket Finance Committee on Feb. 2 for two small operating increases to the department’s 2027 budget: $1,500 for general printing and $500 for office supplies to support expanded passport services. "We're asking for an additional $1,500 for general printing," Murphy said, adding the increases reflect higher printing costs and new passport-related expenses.
Murphy described the overall budget as “pretty small this year” with no capital projects and no new full-time positions. She said salaries rose because the town moved a special events and cultural affairs coordinator position onto the department’s payroll. Murphy told the committee the passport service has been popular: "as far as new passport applications, we had close to 500 this past year," even though the office was closed for three weeks during renovations.
Committee members asked about what the department needs beyond the request. Murphy said the office is “comfortable” with current resources but will seek grants as needs arise. She highlighted a recent Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Destination Development Capital grant that funded building renovations and said restroom work is scheduled but delayed by timing constraints because the facility must remain open April through December.
Murphy also outlined complementary visitor programs, including digital self‑guided walking tours developed with local partners and a policy change approved by the select board after the town hosted a feature film production. She said staff spent months reviewing other towns’ film policies and consulted the Massachusetts film office to revise Nantucket’s policy.
Looking ahead, Murphy said the department will continue promoting local cultural organizations rather than competing with them and will maintain the town’s lodging and restaurant listings to support visitors. The committee did not take action at the meeting; the item will be reflected in the committee’s budget report ahead of the public hearing.
