The County of Nantucket on Oct. 22 approved a fourth amendment to an existing temporary easement and a related temporary access agreement with the Nantucket Conservation Foundation and private property owners to permit the town to finish permitting and construct a permanent alternate roadway for Sheep Pond Road residents.

Real estate manager Tracy McDonald told the board the third amendment to the temporary easement, executed March 26, 2025, expired Sept. 24, 2025. Because Natural Heritage had not yet approved the permit for road construction, the county requested and received agreement from the affected property owners and conservation foundation to extend temporary access through the end of the year to allow completion of permitting and construction. McDonald asked for approval to execute the fourth amendment and to accept a temporary access agreement from the Nantucket Conservation Foundation so the town Department of Public Works can undertake the construction. Town counsel and other staff were on the call.

McDonald said construction of the roadway is expected to take approximately four to six weeks once it begins; she requested board approval so the town can proceed in advance of the current easement expiration. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve both the fourth amendment to the temporary easement and the temporary access agreement. The motions were moved by Brook and seconded by Matt, and roll call votes were recorded as unanimous in favor.

The temporary access agreement was described as subject to Town Council’s review of revisions. Commissioners and staff noted the approval would enable the town to schedule construction as soon as outstanding Natural Heritage approvals are in hand and to complete the permanent alternate easement roadway for Sheep Pond Road residents.