Select Board approves purchase of 9 Goldfinch Drive for municipal employee housing

The Nantucket Select Board unanimously approved a purchase-and-sale agreement Tuesday for 9 Goldfinch Drive, a three‑bedroom, three‑bath home the town will use for municipal employee housing.

Tracy (staff) told the board the purchase is intended to provide stable, long-term housing for municipal employees and cited workforce challenges islandwide. “Purchasing adds a valuable asset to the town’s portfolio, providing housing opportunities for municipal employees decades to come,” Tracy said.

The house, in the Naushop subdivision off Old South Road, was described as move-in ready and located in a family-friendly neighborhood where municipal employees could integrate into the community. Board discussion noted the town had previously considered using a trust to acquire housing but that option was not feasible for this property; purchasing the property directly is the alternative.

Board members who spoke in favor said the town needs permanent housing options to recruit and retain essential staff and that while operational details — management, maintenance and allocation policies — remain to be worked out, acquiring housing is necessary to maintain municipal services.

A motion to approve and execute the purchase-and-sale agreement was moved and seconded; the board voted unanimously to approve the purchase.

Staff did not provide detailed operating budgets or an implementation plan at Tuesday’s meeting; those operational questions were noted as next steps for staff and the board to address.