[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6319933,"mediaKeyId","2360189-1d7b838873e8a52168ad55af71927da9","parentId",2360189,"title","Town Council study committee outlines timeline, at‑large proposal and next steps for voters","audioSeconds",579,"startMs",6241000,"endMs",6820000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2360189-1d7b838873e8a52168ad55af71927da9&start=6241&end=6820","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2360189-1d7b838873e8a52168ad55af71927da9/thumbnail_6241000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6319933/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Town-Council-study-committee-outlines-timeline-atlarge-proposal-and-next-steps-for-voters","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319933-87e91552d15e23e8a6fa775763c99c2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180398&Signature=lpKF5ulqgX-ZmVEqi0MYCSuxnm-pWl0LRkJiAJccnTbCjEsqDZJFQadd4f3tWO7cA23kgi4r4CCjmzFozF~nGlwYO1PaMiRbj9d~MMABlhJc3y-Dd1VERw3uIRNNMUwFR81-KWd8x9esdW5bFsMEdKJWqoNJfHYKkwTNIDvRRZoZo~t-zEpOBeGZ6-uQ8nCT2GwKV~rPH71Fcv9aj~kNBRankZ~sDVMKj4Egj6dQ171tgG7THYSCmDPefh0gAQJ5MwSAoqeWFbMk0qUiVslAd2LsngVv9kiaE4R8eJcsyncuFXGrUwga~42Gi9SJ23AVuh5Yuw3ozPbUy~p9r-uzlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town-County of Nantucket, MA","date","2025-02-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Advisory Committee received an update from the Town Council Study Committee on Feb. 15 about its ongoing work to propose a transition from a Select Board to a Town Council form of government.

What the study committee reported: Committee members said they favor an at‑large council rather than precinct‑based representation, citing difficulties fairly drawing precinct boundaries on the island. The study group discussed candidate recruitment and said it hopes to produce at least 15 candidates for nine seats to ensure a competitive and geographically representative field. The committee also discussed councilor compensation, with options presented ranging from modest stipends to amounts the committee said would more closely compensate members for the time commitment; examples from other Massachusetts municipalities and a state representative salary were raised during the meeting.

Timing and legal steps: The study group is engaging the Collins Center and expects to consult KP Law on draft language. The committee reported it may pursue inclusion of a town‑council article on a special town meeting warrant (discussed as possible in November) and noted legislative timing at the state level could affect election scheduling; one meeting participant said April was a possible election date depending on the legislature’s calendar. The town clerk and other officials are advising on election dates and logistics.

Public outreach and next steps: The study committee said it plans to present at the annual town meeting in May to gauge voter sentiment and noted that town meeting approval is one step before the state legislature would enact governance changes. The committee plans a one‑page explanation for voters and intends to continue public outreach, including recruiting potential candidates and coordinating with the Select Board on required funding for consultant and legal reviews.

Ending note: The study committee said it will continue its review, finalize draft warrant language with KP Law, and return with more detail to advisory groups. No committee vote or formal action by the Advisory Committee was recorded on this update.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Nantucket Advisory Committee for Non-Voting Tax Payers - 02/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Advisory Committee received an update from the Town Council Study Committee on Feb. 15 about its ongoing work to propose a transition from a Select Board to a Town Council form of government.","taxTitle","Nantucket County, Massachusetts","taxId",61456,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6319939,"Town financial staff outline capital program, debt projections and tax‑rate assumptions",4660,519000,5179000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2360189-1d7b838873e8a52168ad55af71927da9&start=519&end=5179","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2360189-1d7b838873e8a52168ad55af71927da9/thumbnail_519000.jpg","/articles/6319939/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Town-financial-staff-outline-capital-program-debt-projections-and-taxrate-assumptions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319939-208cdf8c56c944eadb7c0129cf518ab2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180398&Signature=DqZrGMsqQ6sQPc9FiTb7t119TFwHOJH~qYWr9RhnbweRMS9o8Ysq6v5Zu53i~jN3az9NQ-UHQSRg06XrvXCmVb9Gf8--WHcIbLrB6A6UALXhnaY0-7rnF4TIjBZBQaMTsZVasEgYEGubhXfavqxSjx1cL4AoZ~p2lg0XN8lIsDOpVQh2CDbMTQnflGv8ByDisIui67EUX9MfXjA~~-bjeMsOrogEDu-kWuqeXXLfskqioLUnvj2mn6ddiIfIuqobi40Hti9hksw3sH-2wcjymrKp13lwrZW3BiA7FjTUf9BatESeQSjjeS6yeR14Pypv5Pg~y4g0P1tzaimY7ojgdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town Finance Director Brian Turbot and Town Manager Libby Gibson walked the Advisory Committee of Non‑Voting Taxpayers through the town’s capital‑planning assumptions, current debt profile and the potential tax‑rate implications of pending and out‑year projects on Feb. 15.

The baseline picture: Turbot said the town closed fiscal 2024 with $174,000,000 in general‑fund debt outstanding; roughly $27,000,000 of that is within the Proposition 2\u001e\u001a levy limit and about $147,000,000 is funded from debt exclusions. Turbot described how debt amortization lowers annual payments over time and said that, under current assumptions, substantial portions of existing debt will amortize over the next 10 years.

Projected scenarios: Using conservative planning assumptions (25‑year amortization for modeled borrowings and a 4.5% interest rate assumption), Turbot outlined a scenario where projects on the 2025 annual town meeting warrant (Our Island Home, municipal employee housing and Tom Nevers multi‑use path supplemental funding) would increase debt to about $328,103,000 by June 30, 2027 if all were permanently borrowed on the modeled schedule. Adding a proposed DPW facility (an $80,000,000 estimated project that is expected to be considered at a special town meeting) would raise that modeled outstanding debt to roughly $439,000,000 by June 30, 2028, Turbot said.

Tax‑rate tools and residential exemption: Turbot described the town’s online tax‑impact calculator and noted it is built on the most recently certified assessed values. The town manager and finance director also explained the residential exemption (currently set at 25% by the Select Board and approved in the recap by DOR) and how it affects the residential class’s assessed values and the tax rate for all taxpayers. Turbot provided a numeric example: a widely cited media example that used an average residential value of $3,196,000 produced an estimated $700 annual impact; he clarified the number is the average residential example and that a year‑round taxpayer with the residential exemption would see a much lower example impact (he cited $271 for a modeled year‑round home after the exemption is applied).

Key assumptions and risks highlighted: Turbot said the capital projections used conservative interest assumptions and 25‑year amortizations for planning purposes but noted actual market rates and the timing of permanent borrowing will affect final debt service. He flagged a national policy risk: ongoing discussion in Congress about municipal tax‑exempt status could, if changed, increase market interest rates paid by municipalities by an estimated 1.5 to 2 percentage points and would materially raise interest costs on future borrowing. Turbot and Gibson said the town’s historical experience has been to receive competitive bids and sometimes better rates than conservatively modeled, but they cautioned uncertainty in the market.

Other projects discussed in summary: The committee also heard high‑level overviews of other near‑term or out‑year capital projects the town has identified in the 10‑year plan, including a proposed DPW facility (described as a replacement/move of public works functions to a Mid‑Island site with mechanic shop, garage, administrative space and salt shed), municipal employee housing on Waithe Drive (design and construction estimated at $14,000,000 to create nine units), and the Tom Nevers multi‑use path (an approximate $6.85 million estimate that town staff said the DPW and transportation planner vetted).

What the committee asked for: Several members requested more granular or updated tax‑impact runs and asked the town to publish revised figures if GMPs and bid results change. The town said it would post updates and would return to the Finance Committee if a GMP increases after warrant publication so voters and town boards would have current information.

Ending note: Turbot and Gibson emphasized the presentation was a high‑level planning exercise meant to show residents likely large items ahead, not a guarantee of immediate tax bills; they urged taxpayers to use the online tools and watch for updated numbers as bids and borrowing decisions are finalized.","Finance director and town staff presented a 10‑year capital plan and debt projections showing current debt outstanding of $174 million and scenarios that could push outstanding debt above $400 million if several warrant and special‑meeting projects are approved and permanently borrowed.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6319944,"Nantucket officials outline $105 million estimate, tax impact for Our Island Home replacement",1484,653000,2137000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2360189-1d7b838873e8a52168ad55af71927da9&start=653&end=2137","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2360189-1d7b838873e8a52168ad55af71927da9/thumbnail_653000.jpg","/articles/6319944/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Nantucket-officials-outline-105-million-estimate-tax-impact-for-Our-Island-Home-replacement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319944-cff65e784f1a35346c26de4c7fc05239/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180398&Signature=IBRA5lHldc61h8M2kv2pVcjL-si27VAPfrzstS4Dla9Z0FfpxkfJ6vyH5S67j3PLNoZk3Z3-pZHXMKeGLWdabYBF9LVLHv3QXBjjjIS5nbggDcHFKXLEnUmf8SwFLet3goz0ai1LCHhd1kBBTB1s~xbp8ZPCjFokvLoo9DSt097UvAkEgElYTwiW3ngjsIkGJPw1wLdD0j1O7aEV~AfViZAEZsFx9xTFJ~L6zjyGkmmXI3rS~HjeMptGIiDhPxjrdPV-5nSBETMHDT0nWxw3hmU8SCU6TCt8OpnmgWhgcQLegnpmgOlZRmkYeauLJZplj2g7GhSqmgBRT47jyqNPLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town Manager Libby Gibson and Finance Director Brian Turbot told the Advisory Committee of Non‑Voting Taxpayers on Feb. 15 that the town’s proposed replacement of the Our Island Home skilled‑nursing facility at the Sherburne Commons site now carries an estimated construction price of $105,000,000 and would be funded via a debt exclusion subject to town meeting authorization and a subsequent ballot vote.

Why it matters: Gibson and Turbot described the project as the largest capital undertaking the town has proposed. If approved by voters and permanently borrowed on the assumed schedule, debt service for the facility would add materially to the general‑fund contribution toward the nursing facility and to the town’s overall debt profile, producing measurable tax‑rate impacts for property owners.

Gibson summarized the project history and procurement steps that led to the current estimate. She said voters earlier approved design funding and that the construction manager‑at‑risk delivery method is in use: \"The construction manager is contracted to deliver the project at a guaranteed maximum price based on an agreed upon set of construction documents and specifications,\" Gibson said. She noted the town selected the construction manager/contractor and that trade bids remain outstanding, meaning the $105 million figure could change as bids arrive.

Turbot explained how the town treats debt exclusions under Massachusetts law and cautioned that tax‑impact tools are provisional. \"A debt exclusion is raised for a particular project... and that is only for the life of that debt. Once the debt is paid off, then the authority to raise that is extinguished upon the repayment of the debt,\" Turbot said. He also explained the town’s online tax‑rate calculator and warned the output is an estimate that depends on final borrowing amounts, interest rates and assessed values.

Committee members pressed for specifics. A committee member asked whether the finance committee had recommended the project; Gibson said the Capital Program Committee did not recommend it, while the Finance Committee did recommend it but not unanimously and after extensive discussion. On prior spending and design costs, participants gave two figures: one committee member said \"a little over $6,000,000\" had been spent to date, and Gibson said $4,200,000 had been spent on contracts with an additional roughly $800,000 previously authorized in 2015 for planning, which she said has been largely expended.

On operations, Gibson said a town‑requested five‑year projection shows the facility’s operating shortfall would remain roughly in the $5.6 million to $5.8 million range annually, similar to current levels, with the new facility adding debt service. Turbot said the debt service estimate added on a level‑debt basis would be about $8,500,000 and that, combined with operations, the general fund contribution toward the facility would total roughly $14,500,000 in the modeled year once debt service begins. He said the borrowing was modeled on 25‑year amortization and a conservative 4.5% interest assumption for planning purposes.

Gibson and Turbot also addressed fundraising and governance questions. Gibson said the town generally does not run major fundraising campaigns and that a nonprofit (Friends of Our Island Home) had an advocacy role; she warned that town‑led fundraising can raise legal and campaign‑finance issues. The town is negotiating a lease amendment with Sherburne Commons because the replacement facility would be built on town property adjacent to Sherburne.

Next steps and community process: Gibson and Turbot said trade bids, lease negotiations and final construction pricing will continue through March and April, and that if guaranteed maximum price (GMP) figures change materially the town would seek revised approvals. If the GMP increases after the printed warrant, Turbot said staff would return to the Finance Committee to ask it to reopen or amend its recommendation so updated figures are publicly available ahead of any town meeting vote.

Committee members noted the project’s moral as well as fiscal elements — several speakers described the island’s need for on‑island skilled nursing and urged voters to weigh the human need alongside tax impacts. Turbot said Moody’s (the credit rater) has been briefed but would not give a definitive rating impact in advance; he said any change in rating would depend on final borrowing amounts, market interest rates and timing.

Ending note: Gibson and Turbot encouraged residents to use the town’s tax‑impact calculator to estimate household effects and said staff will publish updated figures as bids and GMPs are finalized.","Town staff told the Advisory Committee of Non‑Voting Taxpayers that the proposed Our Island Home skilled‑nursing replacement at Sherburne Commons now has a construction estimate of $105 million, up from $96 million in November; the project would require a debt‑exclusion vote and is the largest capital item on the town’s near‑term list.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Town Council study committee outlines timeline, at‑large proposal and next steps for voters

Town financial staff outline capital program, debt projections and tax‑rate assumptions

Nantucket officials outline $105 million estimate, tax impact for Our Island Home replacement