[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6318736,"mediaKeyId","2364645-065c4bb7bccb167b35750ac0fabe50cf","parentId",2364645,"title","Nantucket Board of Health continues public hearing on short-term rental large-event rules","audioSeconds",2630,"startMs",609000,"endMs",3239000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364645-065c4bb7bccb167b35750ac0fabe50cf&start=609&end=3239","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364645-065c4bb7bccb167b35750ac0fabe50cf/thumbnail_609000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6318736/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Nantucket-Board-of-Health-continues-public-hearing-on-short-term-rental-large-event-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318736-405b8deb84901e29445bde3f63e54114/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159392&Signature=G46gGuj2gtCIPYkGCQCR6w5R-41WWpNeqJzJ4f3LkklUifwNJ77EzY-rJo7v6GZjWJCvk0jSls-GitBdpKuH6FtrxsYfv9JE2g6lgHMm2hEgOJQrlFUkWMADgbCbDOSQKCAvOq7E7eu9l6AFYn9qkWCLJN1~Ct-nw8psGKHn5B~Zd1e2AvBmpGzEn2psyHnrL1mNVXwu8L-4ic0eZ3eJJSbHqj0wTWVPBI9qJh8YKORKW34BTE03SXx95kNd74mmo6B1eY2J4FX~Pm4Qtk8OcRejGlYoypGl1-84tbdYS9Cx-lY6OvZMgQKOLkJ2CqQAxdbWuMimHzKR745LxmDp4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town-County of Nantucket, MA","date","2025-01-02T22:35:07Z","article","The Nantucket Board of Health on a continued public hearing Monday took up a proposed regulation that would require short-term rental properties to obtain a permit before hosting large gatherings and allow the board to place conditions on those permits.

The draft regulation, prepared by town counsel Greg Corbould, would give the board authority—under the town’s short-term rental bylaw—to require a permit for gatherings that exceed the registered overnight capacity and to impose conditions such as limits on hours, outdoor speakers, alcohol, parking plans and police details. Corbould described the draft as a “working document” intended to start the discussion, not a final form.

Board members and the public pressed for clearer definitions and practical enforcement measures. Several board members said the draft’s initial definition of “gathering” was too broad; Carrie (board member) warned that a literal reading could treat small dinners as violations and be used to harass renters. Board members discussed several options that would scale the threshold to a property’s approved capacity—examples included doubling the registered capacity as the point that triggers permitting.

Town counsel said his intent was to focus the regulation on short-term rentals because owners who live on-site have different accountability to neighbors than transient renters. Corbould said enforcement would be complaint-driven: police and health complaints about noise or parking would trigger investigations and, if violations were found, fines or suspension of a short‑term rental registration could follow.

Board members sought explicit language placing responsibility on property owners to prevent unauthorized gatherings and to notify renters. Members discussed requiring owners or their on-island agents to sign acknowledgements, to post guest limits in listings (Airbnb, VRBO, agent pages) and to include lease language making clear that gatherings require permits. The board asked counsel to craft sample language that could be included in rental listings and occupancy agreements.

The draft also would require applicants to submit a parking plan approved by the police chief or designee; multiple members asked the board to clarify realistic turnaround times and whether police have capacity to review plans during peak summer months. Counsel said the police review is intended to give technical input on whether a proposed parking plan is feasible, not to reserve public parking spaces.

Members debated lead time for permit applications. Several board members and members of the public said lengthy lead times (45+ days) would be appropriate for large, planned events such as weddings; others pointed out that last-minute gatherings occur and requested a balance—staff or board review timelines and whether staff could issue permits administratively must be resolved.

The draft initially barred charging admission at any gathering; members recommended narrowing that restriction to address bona fide nonprofit fundraisers and First Amendment activities. The board discussed exemptions or special handling for nonprofit fundraising events (for example, by requiring 501(c)(3) documentation) and asked counsel to return revised text.

Public commenters, including owners of event businesses and neighbors in Madaket, emphasized two recurring points: large gatherings can create traffic and safety hazards if not planned, yet many community events rely on local caterers and support businesses; and owners of primary residences who host occasional events should not be treated the same as commercial short-term rental operators. Several attendees urged the town to coordinate with the town’s events and culture office and licensing to avoid duplicative permitting.

After extended discussion, the board voted to continue the public hearing to the next meeting and instructed counsel to revise the draft to incorporate tightened definitions (including the double-capacity proposal for a gathering), clearer language on owner responsibility and agent availability, treatment of fundraising events, and practical timelines and procedures for parking and police-review requirements. The board also asked staff to consult with the town office that handles larger events and to return suggested fines and other enforcement options.

The board made no final policy changes Monday; the hearing was continued to allow staff and counsel to redraft and to permit additional public comment at the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Nantucket Board of Health - February 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Nantucket Board of Health on a continued public hearing Monday took up a proposed regulation that would require short-term rental properties to obtain a permit before hosting large gatherings and allow the board to place conditions on those permits.","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},6318718,"San Quinte (Sankey) camp tells Board of Health it will add bunkhouse to meet spacing rules",162,321000,483000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364645-065c4bb7bccb167b35750ac0fabe50cf&start=321&end=483","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364645-065c4bb7bccb167b35750ac0fabe50cf/thumbnail_321000.jpg","/articles/6318718/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/San-Quinte-Sankey-camp-tells-Board-of-Health-it-will-add-bunkhouse-to-meet-spacing-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318718-4e8261e7f618f1b28ee0b7464059ea72/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159392&Signature=niwt3d0mRgH1LPSJJm~OCz9BC-NOUUMuQA8Zi9njIsdudaX~1-D25qGIAnQXr7pBQ4DCwh3If5q~3hhIsZnVBy4~bEi6bM528C5ZpWnRAVqr~g0d-oxsywzH3qA-wwF5yp9yPMxdl-azhvTCGvRksODXe3N4MyyGjqnw0PfKgCWEq8dh7unSlcxSSfE1huiG9~aU0fIHERPq64vE4JxpsgPyaYmadZZl8~ttE1E4dPy4M5BcL0~Evq9vyrU6EuUet8N0NmP7r9XmOPsBsEWplSNExHVAK9IyRFPuhFugiLfC~7UK2A~tlS-83q7uMy6gdiFYt9tJx~Y6ozezsMwoSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Health received an operational update from camp operator Dave Hinman on plans to comply with the town’s spacing requirements for overnight bunks.

Hinman said last summer’s variance request related to the 4.5‑foot required spacing between bunks in the bunkhouses. He reported the camp moved bunks in three existing huts to achieve the 4.5‑foot separation so those buildings are ready for use, and has started construction on a fourth bunkhouse to be completed by April. Hinman said the changes will not change program enrollment: the camp will continue to serve the same total number of campers, redistributed across four huts, with a total of 54 campers plus six counselors.

Board members thanked the club for addressing the issues promptly and for working with health staff. Staff said no additional variances had been requested.","Camp representative Dave Hinman reported the camp moved bunks in three existing huts to meet the 4.5‑foot spacing requirement and is building a fourth bunkhouse to maintain program capacity; board thanked the camp for prompt work to achieve compliance.",{"_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},6318726,"Votes at a glance: Board of Health actions on liens, septic variances, condemnations and approvals",4926,2666000,7592000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364645-065c4bb7bccb167b35750ac0fabe50cf&start=2666&end=7592","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364645-065c4bb7bccb167b35750ac0fabe50cf/thumbnail_2666000.jpg","/articles/6318726/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Board-of-Health-actions-on-liens-septic-variances-condemnations-and-approvals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318726-ce0ed2e56aa62822654ba71cb7bd5392/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159392&Signature=FspjHEZQAtt6IzcYx5bTERSXNFFhV-VEXpeJMfaZojPBoSrm9EqFnakjfWZS6KGQGfuY7J252Rvfawmdk8mpXimwCcBQYAyeOAQC-upmWeIP3iZ6oXatL3KAWa90WqcDfBD1QXyufpCvx-GoWc2RGPT4-W63Hr6feBX8PP5hH4PVyNuqtlOsm95VZ3l3MivrocOZiVaRkBiXTnfM-r6hRf4t9xhsYFp6NAujneINHEh0fHpLyGIcvP7B0ccWlyNLcUNyeVq9SsX8~MDwVUs-uy0qS6GVYcfCTToZVDS1Wv0hLrSC7Ip7~BRr-i3POLGd9uAUvvuP9ykbAOMp-WQcVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At Monday’s meeting the Nantucket Board of Health voted on a package of administrative and permit items. Below are the actions taken as recorded in the meeting transcript.

- 63 Cato Lane — Motion approved to release the betterment lien on the property. Vote: unanimous in favor; board members recorded as Jim (aye), Meredith (aye), Malcolm (aye), Anne (aye), Carrie (aye), Gary (aye).

- 77 Arkansas Avenue (Madaket Harbor watershed) — Variance approved for septic setbacks and design; motion carried after staff and consultant explained the proposed IA system and setbacks. Vote: unanimous in favor (recorded yes votes included Jim, Meredith, Malcolm, Anne, Carrie, Gary).

- 816 Ridge Lane (Madaket Harbor watershed) — Variance approved for upgraded IA system and related Madaket setback variances; board confirmed permit will be limited to a three‑bedroom plan on record and that building applications must be reviewed by the health office. Vote: unanimous in favor (recorded yes votes included Jim, Meredith, Anne, Malcolm, Carrie).

- 62 Tamo Way (Hammock Pond watershed nitrogen loading) — Applicant presented that a 4‑bedroom system had previously been installed and permitted in 1990; board approved the variance as requested. Vote: unanimous in favor (recorded yes votes included Jim, Meredith, Anne, Malcolm, Carrie, Gary).

- Lift condemnation, 40R Essex Road — After re‑inspection staff reported the basement room now has heat and egress; motion to lift condemnation for habitable use carried. Vote: unanimous in favor (board recorded aye votes from Carrie, Jim, Meredith, Anne, Malcolm).

- Additional sewer/septic variances for building projects on the agenda were approved by roll call per staff recommendation; details are recorded in building files and the meeting transcript.

Board staff noted these approvals are subject to applicable conditions in each permit file, and building permit applications must be submitted for review where noted. Several approvals included conditions that on‑file documentation (deed restrictions or building‑plan review) will be required before occupancy for additional bedrooms is allowed.","The Board approved several routine administrative items and septic variances, released a lien and lifted a condemnation. Motions passed by recorded votes are listed with key details for public record.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6318731,"Board approves Nantucket Community Sailing variance allowing US Sailing certification in place of lifeguard credential",3397,3543000,6940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364645-065c4bb7bccb167b35750ac0fabe50cf&start=3543&end=6940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364645-065c4bb7bccb167b35750ac0fabe50cf/thumbnail_3543000.jpg","/articles/6318731/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Board-approves-Nantucket-Community-Sailing-variance-allowing-US-Sailing-certification-in-place-of-lifeguard-credential","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318731-9544303a18338511ffa2dff467183f89/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159392&Signature=b1rYIcsZnzwjNdlo~lE2RFP8gru5NoNqdUubr5zh39JBP40JuQG~FCkpOQZrjflW0rx-uQ~SVqiP8Y5UoyP2XaruRhpaP8ogl4z2kBgKj2OMmc4HtCIctE-Ppa93pMUnO-uHKxWMoawXZ10mFp7vpB1pE5JCay5u14XFXTjnV5ye7UNlesh~7zKX3P4uQ9qVFTCzf3SbBoyWVqJZPFj6klA~zzL~1ChK5TiClxaPFMomD6g6wccZY34ddhYZVyyGGneztfWB1P7zytMo1ubgOb22qEFXN0gDhDcfgjBwiY5GDJTDKeTcac6tE4LPjh-FfO-NPJmPpqVzE0OLpSTRHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nantucket Board of Health on Monday approved a variance request from Nantucket Community Sailing to accept US Sailing instructor certification as the core safety credential for its instructors instead of a standard lifeguard certification.

Diana Brown, representing Nantucket Community Sailing, said US Sailing certification trains instructors to rescue capsized boats, remove sailors from the water and manage on‑water rescues; the program requires students to wear life jackets and instructors to be certified in first aid and CPR. Brown provided a letter from U.S. Sailing supporting the request.

Heather (Health Department inspector) reviewed the distinction between pool or beach lifeguarding and boating instruction. She said lifeguard certification emphasizes swimming‑based rescues and post‑drowning care, and recommended lifeguards at both sailing locations (Judd’s and Polpis/Powder House areas) because of the dispersed locations. Several board members asked whether sailing certification plus first aid/CPR covered the same lifesaving skills as a lifeguard training course and whether it would be practical to require every instructor to hold both credentials.

Board members split. Malcolm and Meredith said US Sailing certification and the program’s staffing model (on‑water safety boats and low instructor:student ratios) supported the variance. Jim and Carrie voted no, citing concerns about the speed at which on‑water emergencies can unfold and the value of lifeguard training for some scenarios. The motion to grant the variance passed 3–2.

Board discussion noted the program’s accreditation: Nantucket Community Sailing is the island’s accredited US Sailing organization, and board members said accreditation weighed heavily in their decision. The board conditioned its vote on the program maintaining its safety protocols, including life‑jackets, first aid and CPR training for instructors and appropriate staffing ratios.","The board voted 3–2 to grant a variance allowing accredited Nantucket Community Sailing instructors to use US Sailing certification in lieu of a standard lifeguard certification for their on-the-water program; some board members urged lifeguard training for staff while others cited US Sailing accreditation and the program’s on‑water rescue focus.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6318734,"Health department to post PFAS test results in property files; map shows clusters in Madaket and elsewhere",437,4560000,4997000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364645-065c4bb7bccb167b35750ac0fabe50cf&start=4560&end=4997","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364645-065c4bb7bccb167b35750ac0fabe50cf/thumbnail_4560000.jpg","/articles/6318734/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Health-department-to-post-PFAS-test-results-in-property-files-map-shows-clusters-in-Madaket-and-elsewhere","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318734-41f2c795fe48cf311057b94b55df2d22/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159392&Signature=lCA3OVZi2TdZl~CQL0o7m-hw8zCXWWboEz2FCKHOhwcVb9rCfxrtuPfLwvjGFsyGtYwLVpU~zwFfIhwjMuhnma47FK2oo6q2fkw7DXpYzIc2tHAXHQc1G6LNsMXbhPxfA4BCpULqN3~JY3E9SMG~lJr33NLvV28lpPvKCSC37gomIC7PxbjP4L1HRPu0-RRC3KcVlb2qoyjXW6flUs6WGcBBI8rpst5rpRBlyBiYF4~zO5KtWD7gsyWc7GSDIvm57e9~wxe1rueowpYP4ynmrghNMM5k8xU-lC8bm~TYdruMSOxUvd6AL4DlNO6EK9eO1Dm39J8FK-OuyfZLJGYaFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nantucket Health Department announced it will begin publishing PFAS well‑testing results in town property files and posted a map showing where the department’s voluntary and private‑well samples exceed Massachusetts’ reportable concentration.

Andrew Shapiro, Health Department staff, told the Board of Health that MassDEP has assigned a release‑tracking number for the island‑wide PFAS investigation and that MassDEP recommended the local analyses use the state reportable concentration of 20 nanograms per liter (ng/L) for the PFAS‑6 sum. Shapiro said the department found more than 100 previously unreviewed MassDEP samples during coordination with state staff.

Shapiro said the health department has received 84 voluntary/private‑well samples to date. In that dataset, 61% were nondetects and seven samples (about 8%) exceeded the state PFAS‑6 reportable concentration of 20 ng/L; the maximum detected concentration in that dataset was 43 ng/L. Shapiro emphasized the map shows heterogeneity—nondetects, low‑level detects, and higher detections can occur within the same small area.

Shapiro described MassDEP procedures: detections above 20 ng/L must be reported to MassDEP; if MassDEP verifies a result above the imminent‑hazard threshold of 90 ng/L it will work to identify immediate alternate water sources and arrange access agreements to sample neighbors (the department said access agreements are typically pursued out to about 500 feet in immediate hazard cases).

Board members and public commenters raised concerns about public notification and clinical follow‑up. Board member Meredith urged broad, proactive outreach noting vulnerable groups (infants, pregnant people) and asked whether clinicians could receive CME materials on PFAS exposure and guidance for patient counseling. Public commenter Meredith also argued that there is no safe PFAS level and urged the department to alert neighbors even for low‑level detections. Shapiro said the department will publish sampling results in the property files and is working on a schedule to update the public map; the department will prioritize posting results above 20 ng/L immediately and update other results on a regular cadence.

Shapiro said EPA’s new national maximum contaminant level (MCL) addresses PFOA and PFOS individually at 4 parts per trillion (ppt) while Massachusetts sets a 20 ppt reportable concentration for the PFAS‑6 sum; he noted the two standards are not directly comparable because they regulate different compound lists and the EPA method weights individual PFAS by toxicity. Shapiro also urged continued state regulation of PFDA and PFHpA—compounds the EPA’s MCL does not include.

The board asked staff to coordinate with clinicians and community stakeholders on outreach materials; Shapiro said he will meet with a local PFAS action group and expects to publish the property‑files evidence and update the public map promptly. No new regulatory action was taken Monday.","Health department staff said PFAS sampling results and property files will be posted online and presented a map showing clusters of detections above Massachusetts’ reportable concentration; MassDEP guidance and thresholds (20 ng/L reporting, 90 ng/L imminent hazard) will guide next steps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Nantucket Board of Health continues public hearing on short-term rental large-event rules

San Quinte (Sankey) camp tells Board of Health it will add bunkhouse to meet spacing rules

Votes at a glance: Board of Health actions on liens, septic variances, condemnations and approvals

Board approves Nantucket Community Sailing variance allowing US Sailing certification in place of lifeguard credential

Health department to post PFAS test results in property files; map shows clusters in Madaket and elsewhere