August/September Town Manager Newsletter

FY28 Budget Development

As the Town begins developing the FY28 operating budget, the budget instructions have been revamped to give departments a common framework from which to work. The updated instructions combine process mechanics with broader expectations—carefully evaluating existing expenditures, focusing on essential services and strategic priorities, identifying efficiencies, and considering the longer-term impact of budget decisions.

The goal is a more disciplined, sustainable budget that helps ensure resources go to the services residents rely on most. Department meetings begin the week of September 22.

Capital Improvement Plan Reset

The Town is resetting its Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) — the roadmap for major infrastructure and equipment investments over the next decade — to ensure projects are prioritized in a way that is realistic and sustainable for taxpayers. Staff will sequence High- and Medium-ranked projects based on Select Board feedback, financial smoothing, level of effort, and potential execution conflicts. The Board began this process at the July 22nd meeting, with one focused discussion on August 19th. Further discussion is scheduled for September 9th.

Low-ranked projects will move to a post-FY37 "parking lot" for periodic review and possible future elevation into the 10-year CIP. Staff will also circulate the remaining ~115 smaller capital requests and present the sequenced High- and Medium-priority projects as the CIP's foundation later this fall.

Public Schools Lecture Featuring Keynote Speaker Tim Shriver

This past Monday, August 31, Cabinet members joined Nantucket Public Schools employees for an inspirational talk at Nantucket High School by Dr. Tim Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics and Chairman of UNITE. The lecture focused on inclusion, empathy, and shared humanity; a call to bridge differences and build a stronger, more connected community.

Left to right: Director of Health and Human Services Dr. Joanna Watson, Town Manager Libby Gibson, Deputy Town Manager Rick Sears, Fire Chief Michael Cranson, Director of Planning Leslie Snell, Airport Director Preston Harimon, Chief of Police Jody Kasper, Deputy Director of Planning Megan Trudel.

Now let’s take a look at what our departments have been busy with…

Now You Can Get Public Comment Responses by Email

Curious about questions raised during Select Board public comment? The Town posts responses on our Public Comment Questions & Town Responses webpage, and you can now have them delivered straight to your inbox.

Here's how it works: meeting attendees ask questions during the public comment portion of Select Board meetings, Town Administration reviews them, develops responses and posts them on the website ahead of the next meeting. Subscribe here to get those responses by email as soon as they're published. The responses are read or summarized at the next Board meeting.

Surfside Area Transportation Improvements

Work resumed the last week of August, with CC Construction starting the season by installing gravel subbase for the Lovers Lane bike path through the State Forest, from Rugged Road to Old South Road. Bike path work along Lovers Lane and Monohansett Road will continue through early September. Once utility relocations are complete along Okorwaw Ave, crews will move on to drainage installation, roadway reconstruction, and the Lovers Lane–to–Monohansett bike path later this fall.

Solid Waste Winter Hours

The Solid Waste Facility (landfill, TIOLI, and other waste and recycling services) winter hours begin Thursday, October 1, and run through April 30, 2027:

New Recycling Bins at the Landfill: Tanglers and Gypsum

Two new bins are now available at the Residential Drop-Off: one for Tanglers (rope, extension cords, hoses, plastic sheeting—don't put these in compostable waste) and one for clean gypsum wallboard (cut-offs only; no paint or joint compound). Contractors with larger gypsum loads should cross the scale and use the container at the Transfer Station Building. Not sure where something goes? Ask the attendant on duty, or check the Solid Waste Guide!

In Remembrance: September 11th, 2026

The Nantucket Fire Department will host its annual remembrance ceremony on September 11th at 10:00 a.m. at the Fairgrounds Road Fire Station at 4 Fairgrounds Rd. (In the event of bad weather, the ceremony will be held inside the apparatus bay.)

Members of the Fire and Police departments and the public safety community will offer remarks, followed by the ringing of bells in remembrance of all lives lost that day. The public is invited to attend.

Housing Production Plan Update

At a joint meeting on August 19, the Planning Board and Select Board unanimously voted to adopt the 2026 Housing Production Plan (HPP) and submit it to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), after the Affordable Housing Trust endorsed it earlier in the month. To remain in Safe Harbor under Chapter 40B and retain local control of development, a municipality must adopt and submit its HPP. Learn more about Nantucket’s HPP here.

NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

Strategic Retreat and Relocation Program - We Want to Hear From You!

The Town's Strategic Retreat and Relocation Program is exploring long-term options for buildings, infrastructure, and public facilities in areas where sea level rise, erosion, and flooding may outpace traditional coastal protection. Your input matters here: take the survey and share your thoughts on how the Town should approach these decisions.

Nantucket and Madaket Harbors Action Plan — Public Hearing

The Town's updated Harbor Action Plan — refreshing the 2009 plan with a long-term roadmap for water quality, natural resources, public access, fishing, working waterfronts, boating, and coastal resilience — is in final state review following Select Board approval in early August.

The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management will hold a virtual public hearing on Tuesday, September 8 at 6:00 PM as part of that review, with a 30-day public comment period underway now. View the updated Plan (PDF), attend via Zoom, or send written comments to Stephen.Mckenna@mass.gov.

Hazard Mitigation Plan update

The Town is updating its 2019 Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP), a state-required plan for every municipality. Nantucket is working with Chloeta, an Oklahoma-based, Native American-owned firm that specializes in hazard mitigation planning, on the update. Take a few minutes to fill out this survey and help shape the plan’s priorities. Questions? Contact Preservation Planner Holly Backus at hbackus@nantucket-ma.gov.

Wauwinet Road Multi-Use Path

On August 12, Town staff and the Federal Highway Administration's Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division held a public meeting to walk through alignment options and associated environmental and cultural resource impacts. The Town presented a preferred alternative and is now collecting public feedback. Watch the presentation and learn more at nantucket-ma.gov/wauwinetpath.

Travel Demand Forecast Model

The Town is working with TrafInfo, MassDOT, and the Boston region's CTPS to build a multi-modal Travel Demand Forecast Model. TrafInfo has briefed the Planning & Economic Development Commission twice so far — in June on current traffic volumes and delays, and in July on land use strategies that could reduce future vehicle use. Next up: a September presentation on projected 2050 traffic conditions, comparing outcomes with and without various demand-management strategies.

Sewer Records and Stormwater Maps Now on the Digital Archives Portal

The Town's Digital Archives Public Portal (Laserfiche) now includes Sewer Department permits, plans, and as-built records, organized by map and parcel for easy searching by residents, property owners, and professionals. Stormwater tile maps are also available and show catch basins, pipes, and other infrastructure features.

Visit the Sewer Department Archive directly, or go to the Town website and select Government → Public Information → Digital Archives.

Level 2 Drought Restrictions Continue

Nantucket remains under State-imposed Level 2 Drought Restrictions, allowing for hand watering only (5–9 PM) and limited pool fills. Fines escalate with repeat violations: warning, then $250, $500, and shutoff. If you haven't checked for indoor leaks recently, now's a good time. Call Wannacomet Water (508-228-0022) with questions. The Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force reassesses the situation monthly.

Thanks for staying connected with the Town of Nantucket.

See you next month!

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