[{"_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",6271474,"mediaKeyId","3028959-c0d9ae7818741a22f9af852bd759a4d4","parentId",3028959,"title","Votes at a glance: Select Board approves contracts, taxi license transfer, Tacoma Green support; appoints RFP rep","audioSeconds",138,"startMs",4158000,"endMs",4296000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028959-c0d9ae7818741a22f9af852bd759a4d4&start=4158&end=4296","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028959-c0d9ae7818741a22f9af852bd759a4d4/thumbnail_4158000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6271474/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Select-Board-approves-contracts-taxi-license-transfer-Tacoma-Green-support-appoints-RFP-rep","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271474-9f335e8902cd6215efc64b884211605b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770396242&Signature=Z4BKGF90Xzk1DVIcvRghBuCtFoeeWkhqWJ~SkeMVSod~~yRLYxDXx~DaualRTOWbu-k0caDVwdbHNNaCrA1uUadAVEElL5KjbK8rDj4HbgHh-Dq-9ZYJtUsHuzsPA-kOdJK86ms4DSorxS-TAFQhNDbsLUhxU1-b1N5TuJ4sb9Q3Wzn33khWY-qUrf0xVGfeyCQjCHdPXLS~Da0zUN-Vz-VGxCyASBPHOdv~mzbECuUFXgD0dZTxj6ZNXWNT2t31OYcvPgietCoe72MDxSOx1Vf-gxXMza6dVQXJXmo1tOuP9mU3j92cBCxzFHP0e82Qm3-jYdr8k-HybsPPHzzZeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town-County of Nantucket, MA","date","2025-01-03T16:13:53Z","article","The Select Board took a string of procedural and personnel actions at its April 16 meeting. Key outcomes recorded in the public meeting are summarized below.

Employment contracts and pending contracts: The board approved renewal contracts for the fire chief and the town manager following negotiations reported to have occurred in executive session. Those two contracts were approved unanimously. The board then considered the finance director’s employment contract; Select Board member Don recused from that vote and the finance director contract was approved with Don’s recusal.

Minutes, payroll and warrants: The board voted to approve minutes, payroll warrants and treasury warrants in a single motion; the motion passed on voice vote.

Taxi license legacy transfer: The board approved a request from Diane Holgate to transfer the Highland Taxi legacy taxicab license that had been held by her late mother, in accordance with town regulations (chapter 367). The board offered condolences and moved to approve the legacy transfer.

Taxi and licensing items: Staff presented the taxi legacy transfer under town regulation chapter 367; the board approved the transfer at the meeting.

Housing and committee appointments: The Select Board unanimously approved a letter supporting a local preference for the Tacoma Green housing project (see separate article). The board also appointed Select Board member Don to serve as the board’s representative on an RFP review committee for three town parcels (135 & 137 Orange Street, 16 Vesper Lane, 12 & 12R Bartlett Road); the board recorded Don’s acceptance.

Other formal actions: The board accepted three employment contracts on the pending contracts list and stated the contracts will be posted on the town website after execution.

Votes (summary):
- Fire chief contract: approved, unanimous
- Town manager contract: approved, unanimous
- Finance director contract: approved (Don recused)
- Taxi license legacy transfer (Highland Taxi): approved, unanimous
- Letter supporting Tacoma Green local preference: approved, unanimous
- Appointment: Don appointed Select Board representative to RFP review committee: approved
- Minutes/payroll/treasury warrants: approved (voice vote)

The board did not execute the Baxter Road license at Town Meeting and voted to take no action at the May annual town meeting; that item was tabled for further negotiation and outreach (see separate article).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Nantucket Select Board - April 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","On April 16 the Select Board approved department head and manager contract renewals (two approved unanimously; one approved with a recusal), approved a taxi license legacy transfer, authorized a housing letter of support for Tacoma Green, and appointed a board representative to an RFP review committee; board also approved routine warrants.","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},6271479,"Select Board previews Town Meeting warrant items: capital exclusion for equipment, employee housing proposal",210,380000,590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028959-c0d9ae7818741a22f9af852bd759a4d4&start=380&end=590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028959-c0d9ae7818741a22f9af852bd759a4d4/thumbnail_380000.jpg","/articles/6271479/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-previews-Town-Meeting-warrant-items-capital-exclusion-for-equipment-employee-housing-proposal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271479-e35c13647edfb1e466b073ff3114510e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770396242&Signature=U~VkrKYCAfiwx7R2N3y6fMy252wNnHEzPGy-x-XpzVxhhLTBozvyTll8bZIYenKZed9ss4sJa249-jbHy2~TLpNM0bh63pO9fI~NJEjyla-XZkHNliRvYgEuJ5gJFCEzpsTcuyg7C5hbgpT5sxVp007QcVeeePsgOmzNniwIy7NsKKt-deZgA95lU5dB-70S4lIbe1ZGS2R9wumUu7w9Z2OE7j5n367wTwSzw6PSW7Ue2G3NZIji2RirWa4YGhwK-alvVW4LDs4ljL54wMhGLLvbokT5CTRi8rLr3Nnj82EhCQLSuuyeJT32pUMB4-PZI2SJEZ4UalEcTaLfsIv2DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Select Board previewed several Annual Town Meeting warrant articles on April 16 and showed informational videos describing budget impacts and project details.

Article 10 (capital exclusion): Town staff described Article 10 as a request for $1,560,000 in a Proposition 2½ capital outlay exclusion to replace aging public‑works vehicles and equipment, install apparatus bay heating for ambulances and update school security cameras. Staff said the proposal would be a one‑year tax increase, estimated at about $49.36 for a year‑round property assessed at $2,058,091 that qualifies for residential exemption if voters approve the debt exclusion and ballot question.

Article 11 (town employee housing): Staff presented Article 11 as a Proposition 2½ debt exclusion request to fund design and construction of six town employee homes on Wade Drive (three family homes and three duplexes, up to 20 bedrooms total). The housing office said the project and its funding would support year‑round municipal staffing and estimated a tax impact of about $29.95 on the same sample property if voters approve both the town meeting article and the ballot question.

Both presentations emphasized voter approval at Town Meeting and at the ballot (proposition debt exclusion) is required for the spending to proceed; staff encouraged residents to review the warrant materials on the town website and to attend town meeting.","At the April 16 meeting the board showed warrant videos and summarized Article 10 (capital exclusion for vehicles, equipment and safety systems) and Article 11 (employee housing on Wade Drive); both proposals are contingent on voter approval of Proposition 2½ debt/capital exclusions.",{"_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},6271483,"Select Board endorses letter supporting local preference for Tacoma Green affordable housing lottery",129,3123000,3252000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028959-c0d9ae7818741a22f9af852bd759a4d4&start=3123&end=3252","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028959-c0d9ae7818741a22f9af852bd759a4d4/thumbnail_3123000.jpg","/articles/6271483/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-endorses-letter-supporting-local-preference-for-Tacoma-Green-affordable-housing-lottery","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271483-c992a7063d8ffb727d42a2c4781fedff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770396242&Signature=XBGXKrNOpD-kDy7K5q~tCsicrIzJDDHt2kzRL236LtyUcD4XH4eexHFDlUjqFki6FdMh62~aLtmUH4t44jI3N4wBB6Fyro4Ch3w~QUVPR5R2J0uDhxLRDEsGItREX74SpGdCvu61DC66DyaYHM~AlErqardy0Dp-hsXxl4ULGEivjiPsG4N8ePEID9GnF9DXJM40FX1G0Eop4n9t0qBOu07DW0NV5YgEDXxNdXjcI3sEtAiZU0GSLeWeNhffle3f1~dz5iRUuzc3pg3y1xXX818h9q5hqH8T6PxeFkVh8C9vaAnzZoSlnkIpT3Lp1RxI4r5vgA59jB8nDaOLUHuAnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Select Board on April 16 approved a request from the town housing office to send a letter to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) supporting a local preference for Tacoma Green, a 64‑unit rental project at 6 Fairgrounds Road.

Why it matters: Tacoma Green will contain income‑restricted rental units targeted at households at or below 80% of area median income. Local preference—if approved by EOHLC—means the town could reserve a specified share of the initial lottery for Nantucket residents, year‑round island employees and households with students in Nantucket public schools.

Housing director Christie (last name not recorded in the public transcript) explained the request to the board and said the housing office seeks a local preference comparable to recent applications such as Wiggles Way and Habitat for Humanity developments. The proposed preference would reserve 70% of units in the initial lottery for qualifying local applicants (residents, local workers, households with children in public school).

The board voted unanimously to approve the letter of support and authorize staff to submit it to the EOHLC. Housing staff said required documents and additional project details will be available on the town website.","The Select Board voted unanimously to send a letter to the Commonwealth requesting local preference for Tacoma Green’s 64 rental units, asking that up to 70% of units be given local preference at lottery time for qualifying Nantucket residents and workers.",{"_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},6271489,"Select Board delays vote on Baxter Road erosion‑control license, asks staff to develop work plan",854,5446000,6300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028959-c0d9ae7818741a22f9af852bd759a4d4&start=5446&end=6300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028959-c0d9ae7818741a22f9af852bd759a4d4/thumbnail_5446000.jpg","/articles/6271489/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-delays-vote-on-Baxter-Road-erosioncontrol-license-asks-staff-to-develop-work-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271489-efe155215f4bcc3be33106bad5865046/orig.mp4?Expires=1770396242&Signature=GMZnyw97soRVHKHXDU6BdIyKZshPjNuZ1PIBAdXz7zNr-AqsL7tEtCmMksgy0kOFIXx0GBK~kg10L6iE92o5jELWmdJcI03ehcC9OEyXTXatoSYP4pkIgoVUb259W94sX2msUm6qnuPtaX-TCI0T2jFpXgbYAmTk-bDAS50MMMR5gzjWljKf8FtgYXIEWPVMVVk0HBP~wknyVnO-s5GZ2-FLOBJMX23~lz92Zi9McfCqwvQdsXV049mvhNoxdrvhh~rSRegPoK48N7pHGtsBI~zZVeCw5v~Q1QzfkstH2Gp7WIRUZWed3~~DRH5odfOLP4sp75IhogGpdH9yi3uGnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Nantucket Select Board on April 16 declined to bring a draft license to Town Meeting that would authorize the use of town property for the proposed Baxter Road erosion‑control project, directing staff to continue negotiating terms with the Sconset Beach Preservation Fund (SBPF) and to develop a work plan and public process.

Why it matters: The project, authorized by a positive order of conditions at the Conservation Commission level, would expand geotube‑style coastal protection along the Sconset bluff. The Select Board had been considering a license that would set terms — escrow for removal, maintenance responsibilities, public access and potential road‑relocation commitments — for use of town property. Several board members and members of the public raised questions about sand mitigation, long‑term maintenance funding and contingency mechanisms.

Discussion highlights: Town staff and SBPF representatives reviewed a draft ‘‘kitchen‑sink’’ license that compiled possible terms. Town Natural Resources staff described escrow and an annual review for removal costs, and SBPF representatives said the project will be fully funded by SBPF and asked that any study or financial burden not be imposed on the town unnecessarily.

Meredith Moldenhauer, representing SBPF, asked that the 2022 memorandum of understanding and its draft license serve as the “foundation and a starting point” for negotiations. SBPF also said it preferred a license term tied to the life of a conservation commission order rather than a short fixed term; SBPF said a short, five‑year license would not suit funders who expect longer time horizons for large capital investments.

Board concerns included timing, public outreach and the relationship between the conservation commission’s order and the select board’s license. Select Board member Malcolm (first name not recorded in the public transcript) said, “To me, it's putting adequate sand on, doing it correct. And then we, I'm just uncomfortable with everything,” describing unease over whether the proposed measures would protect public land and satisfy funders.

Vote and next steps: On a motion to ‘‘take no action’’ at the annual town meeting and to direct staff and board leadership to produce a negotiated license and a workplan for public outreach and final review, the Select Board voted 4–1 (Malcolm opposed). The board also directed the chair and vice chair to coordinate with staff on a timetable for a revised draft and outreach; town counsel said staff and legal counsel would work with SBPF and could present a more finished draft in advance of any future warrant. SBPF representatives said they preferred a fully negotiated draft before any town vote and indicated they would work with the town on schedule and outreach if both sides agreed.

Context and constraints: Town counsel advised the board that appeals of the Conservation Commission order are pending at MassDEP and that work may not proceed while appeals remain unresolved. George Pucci (KP Law) explained the appeals process and that construction cannot proceed while appeals are pending. Members of the public urged caution, requested stronger guarantees about finance and maintenance obligations, and raised concerns about delivery truck impacts on village roads and timing of sand deliveries.

What the motion did (practical effect): Taking no action at the May annual town meeting preserves the Select Board’s prerogative to negotiate and refine license language and to pursue public outreach during the summer; it does not change the conservation commission’s order or the status of pending appeals. The board said it would return with a proposed schedule and a more polished draft for further public consideration before placing a license measure before voters.","After hours of public and board discussion about proposed license terms for the Sconset Bluff erosion‑control project, the Select Board voted 4–1 to take no action at the upcoming annual town meeting and asked staff to produce a timeline and negotiated draft for further review.",{"_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},6271494,"National Grid outlines smart-meter rollout for Nantucket, answers questions on safety and data",1331,2219000,3550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028959-c0d9ae7818741a22f9af852bd759a4d4&start=2219&end=3550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028959-c0d9ae7818741a22f9af852bd759a4d4/thumbnail_2219000.jpg","/articles/6271494/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/National-Grid-outlines-smart-meter-rollout-for-Nantucket-answers-questions-on-safety-and-data","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271494-95bed516b1a92ee92f8f1b5c30d27d81/orig.mp4?Expires=1770396242&Signature=CeP1mvNM8fjPpkUetytOnNIfDXyuDa3sGkYLubKWmYodUOMrWCt5meeKOAXJ8ovMJv6F8pSRJJBmSmeYnz2c06bHry5POyy2NmVdDhseG6QS0nlgBNjLGOrjuSEIs3IDABQlepxn4vkm96pBL--zF7pBpsF2KS~yqd6mV8ygWy8brTnk-7LPb~0Fxbm2PHavQFS0IvRmJy0ZG5yezA5ggxkePRUj3kq8W8ih9CU6gQYxUwfKsjtuDTYf5zNMf7JNBTue1LRq2RUbG6fxSVycp9yVEx1ZnSDU~1ibVqfn-krVuOJS8AkiqVyTBeRXMVwMclrTK4jeqe5VsV7LC5l7Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","National Grid officials told the Town of Nantucket Select Board on April 16 that the utility plans to install advanced “smart” meters and supporting communications devices on the island, and described customer benefits, installation steps and public outreach.

At a presentation in the board meeting, Lisa Morguera, National Grid’s lead for community engagement in Massachusetts, said the project—officially called Advanced Metering Infrastructure or AMI—includes smart meters, a communications network and back-end systems that enable two-way data flows. “This is commonly referred to as our smart meter program,” Morguera said.

Why it matters: National Grid said the upgraded meters will provide near-real-time, 15‑minute interval usage data, remote connect/disconnect capability and more detailed outage detection. Officials said the program supports future clean‑energy policies and enables more sophisticated time-of-use pricing and grid-management tools.

National Grid projected network build-out on Nantucket this spring and summer and a tentative start for meter installation in October 2025, with a roughly six‑month installation window aimed to finish before the island’s busy season. Jesse Harvey, who leads AMI deployment for Massachusetts, said the company has completed about 24,000 meter upgrades elsewhere in the state and expects to “touch somewhere between 1.4 and 1.5” million meters statewide by the end of 2027.

Technical details and installation: Diana Rivera, National Grid’s field area network manager, described three pole‑mounted device types that form the island communications network; after a redesign the company reduced planned devices from 39 to 35. Rivera said eight devices are already installed and communicating; others are in survey, permitting, design or ready-to-install stages. Mark Correa, National Grid manager of special operations, said a network must be in place and stable before meters are installed.

Customer experience and outreach: National Grid described a phased outreach plan: a 90‑day community awareness campaign, followed by 60/30/10‑day direct notices to customers before each installation, a door hangar at the time of work and a post‑installation letter with links to online resources. Technicians will knock before a meter swap; customers need not be home for the roughly two‑to‑five minute power interruption.

Questions from residents focused on health, privacy and practical effects. Amy Eldridge, a resident who has followed smart‑meter discussions, asked whether new meters are “chronically running” and compared RF exposure with existing household devices. Jesse Harvey and Mark Correa said the replacement meters report far more frequently than older drive‑by meters (reporting intervals in 15‑minute blocks rather than once a month) but that radiofrequency (RF) emissions are low and comparable to many household devices. Morguera noted an opt‑out option exists but that it carries incremental fees; opt‑outs would receive a non‑communicating meter and manual reads. National Grid also said the company will not have access to appliance‑level disaggregation in customer-facing apps; that functionality is provided by a third‑party app (SENSE) that customers may use at no cost, and appliance‑level detail is accessible to customers through that app rather than to customer service agents.

On safety and grid benefits: Officials said meters will provide alerts for outages and voltage irregularities, reduce truck rolls for routine reads and enable faster outage response. National Grid emphasized the meters do not use a customer’s home Wi‑Fi; the network runs on the company’s field area network.

Next steps and timeline: Representatives told the board the island network must be completed and stable before meter swaps begin; National Grid said Nantucket’s meter installs are forecast to begin in October 2025 and be completed in about six months, subject to change. Officials encouraged residents to review the utility’s smart‑meter materials and asked the town to help share outreach information.

Residents who raised health or privacy concerns were told how to request opt‑out and where to find technical material; National Grid said it will continue public engagement as build-out proceeds.","National Grid presented its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) plan for Nantucket on April 16, describing timeline, technical details and customer outreach; company and residents discussed radiofrequency exposure, data access and opt-out options.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Select Board approves contracts, taxi license transfer, Tacoma Green support; appoints RFP rep

Select Board previews Town Meeting warrant items: capital exclusion for equipment, employee housing proposal

Select Board endorses letter supporting local preference for Tacoma Green affordable housing lottery

Select Board delays vote on Baxter Road erosion‑control license, asks staff to develop work plan

National Grid outlines smart-meter rollout for Nantucket, answers questions on safety and data