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Nantucket resilience panel debates adding outreach, recommends short video and charge clarification
Summary
Committee members discussed whether to update CRAC’s 2019 charge to clarify outreach and proactive advising of the Select Board; members proposed fact sheets, a short communications reel and periodic community events to counter misinformation and build trust.
Committee members used the May 12 meeting to examine CRAC’s mission and consider whether the committee should change how it operates now that the coastal resilience plan is complete. The chair read the 2019 charge and invited members to discuss successes, stumbles and next steps.
Several members urged clarifying outreach and education in the committee’s charge. Doug said the existing language already allows CRAC to provide proactive advice to the Select Board but urged clarity about whether CRAC should directly engage voters. “I interpret the current charge as allowing for that,” he said, while cautioning that direct voter advice (telling voters how to vote) would cross a line.
Sarah raised concerns about misinformation at town meetings and suggested CRAC provide factual, nonpartisan bullet points explaining what a yes or no vote would mean on technical articles. “There can be misinformation spread really easily,” she said, urging clear, factual outreach rather than advocacy.
Members discussed practical outreach options. Leah committed to contacting the communications office about producing a short, shareable video or “reel” to explain what CRAC does and to capitalize on recent viral attention; members agreed that a brief, authentic clip series (“What is CRAC?”) could help reach seasonal and year-round residents. The committee also discussed organizing a climate-resilience fair or periodic pop-up events where residents could meet project leads and see visible demonstration projects.
Next steps: Members agreed to collect suggested edits to the charge ahead of the next meeting, invite the town’s open-meeting compliance officer to clarify outreach rules and consider a formal recommendation to the Select Board if language changes are proposed.
