The Nantucket Affordable Housing Trust on Oct. 21 voted to declare two trust‑owned properties surplus and authorized disposition and requests for proposals under state procurement law.

The trust declared Unit C (8C) 30 Acres Lane and 14 Somerset Lane surplus and authorized disposition under General Laws Chapter 30B, Section 16. The votes were unanimous by roll call.

Why it matters: The trust owns a portfolio of vacant lots and buildings purchased for affordable housing. Staff told the trust that proceeds from any sale or lease would return to the trust fund and that disposition can include sales or leases; declaring a parcel surplus does not itself require demolition.

What the trust discussed: Staff (Christy Richmond) reviewed the trust’s inventory of ten properties acquired since the trust’s founding, including vacant parcels and existing dwellings. Items discussed included: 7 Amelia (vacant lot, withheld by select board), 135 & 137 Orange Street (bundled RFP recently awarded to Affirmative Investments), a Vesper Lane parcel swap (18 Vesper Lane swapped for 16A/16B/16C and included in an Affirmative Investments award), 8 White Street (bargain sale, staff recommended holding for now), 12 & 12R Bartlett Road (vacant parcel included in the RFP awarded to Affirmative Investments), 8A 30 Acres (existing dwelling currently rented to a municipal employee), 14 Somerset Lane (existing building; staff recommended surplus and disposition), 12 Honeysuckle Drive and 71 Surfside (leased to town and undergoing renovations for income‑qualified municipal tenants), and 8C 30 Acres (vacant; staff recommended surplus and disposition).

Staff explained that 8C 30 Acres and 14 Somerset Lane were the highest priority for disposal at this time to create homeownership opportunities, while several other properties should remain rented or held for later disposition. Town counsel advised that declaring a property “surplus” is a legal step allowing disposition under Chapter 30B and does not mandate demolition.

Votes and motions: The board voted on two motions read on the record and drafted by town counsel to declare the properties surplus and to authorize disposition and an RFP under Chapter 30B. Forrest Bell moved and Chantal Murphy seconded the motion to declare Unit C (8C) 30 Acres Lane surplus and authorize disposition; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote (Penny Dye: Aye; Forrest Bell: Aye; Chantal Murphy: Aye; Brian Sullivan: Aye). Chantal Murphy moved and Forrest Bell seconded the motion to declare 14 Somerset Lane surplus and authorize disposition; that motion also passed on a roll‑call vote (Penny Dye: Aye; Forrest Bell: Aye; Chantal Murphy: Aye; Brian Sullivan: Aye).

What happens next: Staff said they will prepare and issue requests for proposals under Chapter 30B if the board finalizes terms and priorities. Proceeds from any sale or lease would be returned to the trust fund to support future affordable housing projects. Members asked that future RFPs specify whether projects should prioritize year‑round ownership restrictions and suggested setting AMI targets (for example 80%, 100%, 150% or 240% of HUD area median income) per parcel or project type.

At the meeting end, staff said additional properties will be discussed at a future meeting and recommended the trust proceed with RFPs for parcels the board designated surplus.

Sources and attribution: Staff remarks and the motions are recorded in the meeting transcript; votes were taken by roll call and recorded on the public record.