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A Newsletter from Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson
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Tuesday, November 3, 2026
What’s Happening
in Town Administration
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Election Day Is Today
The State Election is today, Tuesday, November 3. Nantucket’s polling place is the Nantucket High School Gymnasium, open 7 AM to 8 PM. Schools are closed today, and the front parking spaces are reserved for accessible parking. For questions about your registration or ballot, contact the Town Clerk or visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s elections page.
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2027 Annual Town Meeting
This time of year, we are busy initiating preparations for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting (ATM) (scheduled to start Monday, May 10, 2027), Annual Town Election (scheduled for Tuesday, May 25, 2027), and budget development (including capital project requests) for the next fiscal year. This involves scheduling dozens of meetings and reviewing what has come up since or before the last town meeting regarding potential warrant articles and budget requests, economic indicators, and other factors and emerging information for both the town meeting and the budget. The Select Board endorsed the 2027 ATM timeline at its August 19 meeting.
Meanwhile, if you are considering a citizen warrant article (CWA), please thoroughly review the Guide to Preparing a Citizen Warrant Article. CWAs currently require the signatures of 10 voters registered in Nantucket; however, pending legislation will change that requirement to 25 as soon as the Governor signs it. We recommend that if you are considering a CWA that you obtain at least 25 signatures and, because people occasionally believe they are registered voters when they are not, it is always prudent to obtain more signatures. Meanwhile, the Select Board has begun reviewing potential Town-sponsored warrant articles at its October 7 and October 21 meetings. The next review is scheduled for November 4.
Fiscal Year 2028 General Fund Budget
Development of the Fiscal Year 2028 General Fund Budget is well underway. During October, Town Administration conducted budget reviews with nearly every department to assess operational needs and establish priorities for the coming fiscal year. Department heads are bringing greater discipline to the budget development process by evaluating existing resources, justifying requests, and distinguishing essential needs from desirable enhancements. Particular attention continues to be given to infrastructure, project management, facility maintenance, staffing, recruitment and retention, and initiatives supporting the Select Board's Strategic Plan.
The Town is evaluating these requests in the context of its financial outlook and available resources. After presenting preliminary budget projections to the Select Board on September 9, we are preparing recommendations for the Board's review on December 9.
Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2028
In Fiscal Year 2026, Town Administration and the Finance Department began reviewing the Town’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) with the goal of turning it from an annual list of requests into a true long-range plan that reflects the Town’s priorities, financial capacity, and ability to deliver projects. The new approach includes a more disciplined process for prioritizing projects, sequencing major investments to manage debt, accounting for staff capacity, and looking further ahead to capture significant future needs. It also separates near-term priorities from longer-term projects, while preserving lower-priority needs for future consideration. The Board is currently scheduled to finalize its FY28 recommendations on November 18.
Our Island Home – New Facility Project
The Town continues to make progress toward a new Our Island Home (OIH) skilled nursing facility, to be co-located at the Sherburne Commons site. A key milestone was reached with the completion of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Town and the Residences at Sherburne Commons (RSC) for use of property RSC leases from the Town. The Town is also finalizing a Conservation Restriction on a portion of the property, pending approval from the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. Preliminary site preparation is expected to begin Tuesday, December 1, 2026. The project team meets weekly to coordinate outreach, regulatory, legal, and logistical needs. The next project update will be presented to the Select Board on November 4. For more information, visit the New Our Island Home project page.
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ICMA Annual Conference
Deputy Town Managers Gregg Tivnan and Rick Sears recently attended the 112th International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual Conference in Long Beach, CA. The largest in ICMA’s history, the conference brought together more than 5,600 local government professionals and offered more than 200 sessions on issues such as financial sustainability, affordable housing, infrastructure, workforce recruitment and retention, technology, and leadership.
A major focus was building public trust and strengthening relationships between elected officials and professional staff. The conference also offered valuable time to connect with colleagues nationwide. Many of the challenges discussed closely mirror Nantucket’s, and the ideas and relationships gained will help inform the Town’s strategic planning, operations, and long-term financial sustainability.
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Deputy Town Managers Gregg Tivnan (right) and Rick Sears (center) with ICMA CEO/Executive Director Julia Novak at the 2026 ICMA Annual Conference. Before joining ICMA, Julia worked with the Town through Raftelis Consulting to help develop the Select Board’s Strategic Plan.
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Behind the Scenes at TIOLI
A couple of weeks ago, I asked Solid Waste Manager Chris Lowe for a tour of the Take It or Leave It (TIOLI) facility. I hadn’t been in a while, and the changes are impressive.
Over the past two years, the DPW Solid Waste Division has steadily made the TIOLI more organized and welcoming. They’ve added enclosed storage and a break room for attendants. Most recently, they put up a new roof that shelters staff and donated items from the weather.
I had a few things to drop off and was warmly greeted by attendants Karen Russell, Cesar Gianela, and Ralston Hall. (Paulette Palmer Smith was enjoying a well-deserved day off.) It’s clear they care about this place. The shelves were tidy, the yard was organized, and everyone who came through got a friendly hello. This team works outdoors in all conditions and keeps the TIOLI clean, organized, and friendly. It has become a true community gathering place and something of a Nantucket destination, occasionally even attracting a celebrity sighting or two!
The TIOLI only works if everyone does their part. Please follow the facility guidelines and treat the attendants with the same courtesy they show you. To Karen, Cesar, Ralston, and Paulette: thank you for making the TIOLI something special!
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From left to right: TIOLI attendant Ralston Hall, Solid Waste Manager Chris Lowe, and TIOLI attendants Karen Russell and Cesar Gianella. |
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Other Select Board/Town Administration News/Activities
Once a month, I share an update with the Select Board on what’s happening across Town government, from major projects to day-to-day operations. It’s an important way to keep the community informed. Watch my October 28 presentation here. At its October 21 meeting, the Board discussed the Island’s deer population with respect to the Town’s role in public health and economic impacts. Select Board member and Board of Health Chair Robert DeCosta was designated as the Board’s representative for public discussions on this issue and to report back to the Board regularly on progress and updates. You can watch the discussion here.
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Now let’s take a look at what our departments have been busy with…
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Halloween Recap
Nantucket was filled with Halloween spirit this past weekend as families, friends, and community members came together to celebrate! From creative costumes to festive downtown activities and trick-or-treating, it was wonderful to see our community enjoying this beloved annual tradition.
A special thank you to the Inquirer and Mirror, Nantucket Chamber of Commerce, Nantucket Atheneum, Nantucket Historical Association, U.S. Coast Guard Station Brant Point, Nantucket Police Department, and Nantucket Fire Department, as well as our local businesses, volunteers, and community members who helped make the festivities possible.
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Lovers Lane and Monohansett Road Nearly Complete
Since the Surfside Area Transportation Improvements Project restarted in September, the new bike paths on Lovers Lane and Monohansett Road have been paved and the shoulders loamed and seeded. More than 150 trees and 250 native shrubs are now being planted along Lovers Lane to bring back a natural look after months of heavy construction.
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Final paving on both roads, including Cape Cod berms, is expected in November, with the goal of finishing before the holidays. Work on Okorwaw Avenue is still on hold. Utility companies need to finish moving their lines first, so there’s room for new drainage, the realigned road, and the bike path.
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Paving Wraps Up
The Town’s fall road resurfacing program is almost done. Milled roads in Sconset have been repaved, and their shoulders seeded. DPW has also spread shells on Center Street and repainted its yellow no-parking lines. Surfside Road was repaved on October 30, and shoulder work wrapped up November 2, completing this fall’s resurfacing program.
More Multi-Use Paths on the Way
The island’s path network keeps growing. New paths along Tom Nevers Road and Sparks Avenue, plus the Newtown Road reconstruction including a multi-use path, are out to bid now. The Town hopes to award contracts in December, start work in January or February, and finish by early summer 2027. Design plans for a Wauwinet Road path have also been approved and are moving into engineering and permitting: an 8-foot path with a grass buffer on the east side of the road. More about the project here.
Public Restroom Upgrades
Renovations at the Sconset Comfort Station and the Solid Waste Facility (MRF) restrooms are well underway. Work on the downtown Visitor’s Center restrooms begins right after Stroll Weekend. The Sconset Comfort Station is being rebuilt to stay open year-round, which gives the east end of the island a public restroom in the off-season. All three facilities are getting accessible layouts, more fixtures, and sturdier, easier-to-maintain finishes.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Recap
Thanks to the 125 residents and 14 businesses who brought materials to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection on Saturday, October 24! Most of what came in was oil-based paint and automotive fluids like gasoline, antifreeze, and motor oil, which is typical as people wrap up the season. If you missed it, the last collection of the year is Saturday, December 12.
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Fall Back & Save Energy
Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 1, when clocks fall back an hour. While you reset your clocks, check your thermostats, timers, and lighting schedules to match the new time and when people are actually home or in the building. Cleaning light fixtures and sensors also helps outdoor lights switch on and off with the daylight. A few minutes of adjustment can cut wasted energy and lower your utility bill.
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Get Paid to Recycle Old Appliances
The Town, National Grid, and Mass Save are offering two free ways to dispose of old appliances on Saturday, November 14, and you’ll get cash for each. Bring a working dehumidifier (20–70 pints) to the Public Safety Facility at 4 Fairgrounds Road between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to earn $30. No registration is needed. For a working refrigerator or freezer (10–30 cubic feet), you can schedule a free pickup and earn $75 per unit, up to two per electric account each year. Pickup spots are limited, so register by Thursday, November 12, by calling 508-409-5311 or visiting ngrid.com/nantucket.
Need Help with Heating Costs This Winter?
Several state and utility programs can help Massachusetts households with heating costs this winter.
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is now taking applications for the November 1–April 30 heating season. It helps income-eligible households pay heating bills and can also qualify them for discounted utility rates. Learn more and apply. New this year: Households earning between 60% and 100% of the state median income may qualify for a one-time heating oil benefit of up to $680 through the Middle-Income Heating Oil Relief program. Applications open in December, and you can sign up to be notified. If you heat your home with a heat pump, National Grid’s Residential Heat Pump Rate lowers electric delivery charges from November 1 through April 30. See if you qualify.
For help with any of these programs, contact Energy Coordinator Lauren Sinatra at lsinatra@nantucket-ma.gov or 508-325-5379.
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New Fire Engine in Service, Second on the Way
The Nantucket Fire Department’s new Engine 5, received in late September, is responding to calls across the island now that the truck is fully outfitted and all full-time and call firefighters have finished training on it. The department expects a second new truck, Engine 3, in November, pending Chief Cranson's final inspection this week.
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Bringing two custom fire engines from design to delivery has been a multi-year project and a major milestone for NFD. It reflects the community’s continued support for investing in strong emergency services.
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Expanding Community Life-Saving Resources
Demonstrating a continued commitment to public health and safety, NFD recently led joint CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training for employees across multiple Town departments. Alongside these training efforts, the department has begun expanding the deployment and availability of public-access AEDs across municipal buildings and key public areas throughout the island.
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Preparing for Oil Spills on the Water
The Fire Department and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection recently led an oil spill response exercise with the Town’s Harbormasters, the U.S. Coast Guard, the state hazardous materials team, and local fishing, maritime, and fuel businesses. The training focused on containment, environmental protection, and rapid interagency coordination in the event of a spill.
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HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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More Than 60 Students Get New Glasses
Thanks to a partnership between Nantucket Public Schools, Onsite 2020, and the Nantucket Golf Club Foundation, more than 60 students received eye exams and new glasses during a week-long vision clinic at the schools. School nurses first identified students through screenings, and Onsite’s optometrists conducted on-site exams and fittings. Clearer vision helps in the classroom and on the field. We’re grateful to everyone who made it happen.
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Food Protection Manager Certification Course
The Health and Human Services Department will offer a Food Protection Manager Certification Course on November 12 and 13, with an exam on November 16. The course is open to food service professionals and anyone interested in learning more about food safety and proper handling practices.
For more information, contact health@nantucket-ma.gov.
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7 Dooley Court
Through a collaboration with the Affordable Housing Trust, Housing Nantucket closed on the purchase of 7 Dooley Court. Work has started on renovating the existing home and constructing two new covenant homes. The project will bring three homeownership units online in 2027: one home restricted to families earning at or below 250% of the area median income (AMI) and two homes restricted to families earning at or below 150% of the AMI.
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Left to right: Anne Kuszpa, Housing Nantucket Executive Director, and Kristie Ferrantella, Town of Nantucket Housing Director.
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Town Receives Nearly $3.8 Million in State Housing Grants
The state has awarded the Town three grants to support year-round housing. A $500,000 grant from the Housing Choice Grant Program will go toward the workforce housing project at 135–137 Orange Street and 12–12R Bartlett Road. A $3.14 million HousingWorks Infrastructure Program grant will support another project on Vesper Lane. A $114,092 grant from the Seasonal Communities Grant Program will fund a study on expanding year-round housing options.
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Waitt Drive Workforce Housing: Phase 1 Takes Shape
Construction is well underway on Phase 1 of the Town employee housing project at 15 Waitt Drive. Crews have started excavating the site and preparing the foundation. Modular units are scheduled to arrive on the island before the end of the year and will be set into place after the new year.
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Site cleared at 15 Waitt Drive. |
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Rendering of final project. |
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Apply Now: Eight Affordable Mid-Island Apartments
Eight affordable apartments currently under construction at 20 and 26 Sparks Avenue are available by lottery for households earning up to 80% AMI, with local preference for Nantucket residents and workers. Rents are $2,446 for a one-bedroom and $2,996 for a three-bedroom, with move-in expected in March 2027. Applications are due December 21. Details and application.
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NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
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Hummock Pond Opened to the Ocean
The Natural Resources Department opened Hummock Pond to the Atlantic on October 19. The pond is opened twice a year to let ocean water flow in, lowering nitrogen levels, raising salinity, and bringing marine life into the pond. Thanks to Hunt Landscaping for helping with this year’s opening.
If you are in the area, please stay away from the edges and out of the water near the opening; the sand is unstable, and the currents are extremely strong.
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Oysterra: A Science & Art Event!
Join the Nantucket Island School of Design and the Arts (NISDA) and the Town for Oysterra, a hands-on science and art event on Friday, November 6, from 3:30–6:00 PM at NISDA, 23 Wauwinet Road. Spend the afternoon alongside ceramic artists and marine scientists creating your own clay oyster shells while learning about Nantucket’s oysters and their role in the local ecosystem. All ages and abilities are welcome, but children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Attendance is FREE, but you must register in advance!
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NPD Receives AAA Gold Award for Traffic Safety
The Nantucket Police Department received a Gold Award at the Annual AAA Traffic Safety Awards on October 20 for its ongoing commitment to improving traffic safety throughout the community. This recognition reflects the department’s comprehensive approach to traffic safety, including public education, data-driven enforcement, targeted enforcement of e-bike and micromobility laws, and updated collision response policies.
The award also recognizes the collaborative work of the Town’s Traffic Safety Staff Workgroup, along with the Town’s investment in roadway improvements and multi-use paths that make travel safer for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. NPD thanks its personnel, Town staff, community partners, and residents for helping make Nantucket safer for everyone.
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Milestone Rotary Reconstruction
MassDOT held a Public Informational Meeting on Tuesday, September 29, at 6:00 PM via Zoom to present proposed intersection improvements and the reconstruction of Milestone Rotary and collect public input. Visit the project page to watch the recorded presentation and provide input.
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Amelia Drive Traffic & Parking Improvements
The Select Board authorized a three-month (October through December) pilot to convert Amelia Drive between Waitt Drive and Ticcoma Way from two-way traffic to one-way traffic flowing southwest toward Ticcoma Way.
We are seeking public feedback to understand the benefits and concerns about this change in traffic flow. During this pilot, please visit the project webpage, complete a survey, and participate in a public forum to share your thoughts. Your participation will help us decide next steps.
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Travel Demand Forecast Model
The Town is coordinating with TrafInfo, MassDOT, and the Boston region (CTPS) to develop a multi-modal Travel Demand Forecast Model (TDFM). TrafInfo has provided three presentations to the Nantucket Planning & Economic Development Commission (NP&EDC) summarizing current base-year and future year 2050 traffic volumes and travel-time delays, as well as land-use strategies and other policies that could minimize vehicle use in future years.
An additional December presentation (December 7) to the Select Board and NP&EDC will show how roadway and transit improvements could better accommodate anticipated growth and reduce future traffic delays. For more information and to watch the traffic model presentations, visit the project’s website.
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Drought Restrictions Continue Into Fall
Nantucket is still at a Level 2 Drought Condition, so as you close up gardens and pools for the season, only hand watering (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.) is allowed, and pool fills remain limited. Fall is also a good time to check for indoor leaks before winter, since a running toilet can waste more water than a garden hose.
Questions? Call Wannacomet Water at 508-228-0022. The Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force reassesses the situation monthly.
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Thanks for staying connected with the Town of Nantucket.
See you next month!
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