NANTUCKET, Mass. — Voters at a Nov. 4 special town meeting approved Article 1, a citizen-sponsored amendment that reinstates short- and long-term rentals into the Town of Nantucket's zoning bylaw, voting yes 1,045 to no 421 on the main motion to adopt the article.

Supporters said the measure restores clarity after a recent court ruling and preserves property rights while keeping regulatory authority local. "Article 1 is simple. It reinstates rentals short and long term into Nantucket zoning bylaw subject to current and future regulations," sponsor Brian Borgeson told the meeting. He described the measure as intended to end legal uncertainty and to protect island businesses.

The finance committee told voters it supports Article 1. "The finance committee supports the citizen warrant article brought forward by mister Borgeson, article 1," the finance committee representative said, urging voters that adopting Article 1 would preserve town revenues and avoid continued litigation costs.

Business owners and seasonal-resident advocates emphasized the economic importance of rental lodging beyond the July'August peak. "I urge you to vote yes in article 1 and vote yes to support the working people on Nantucket," event planner Maggie Stewart said, describing reliance by year-round staff and shoulder-season commerce on rental visitors.

Opponents warned that the article could encourage off-island investment and affect neighborhood character. Resident Jocelyn Duffy argued that "83% of the income coming from STRs goes off island," and said that unfettered rentals have changed the island's character and diverted economic benefits.

Edward Sanford, representing the advisory committee of nonvoting taxpayers, urged approval and cited STR tax revenues and legal control: "Approving article 1 ends this legal assault on all island residential property owners rights to rent," he said, adding that voters, not off-island judges, should set rental policy.

The moderator and town staff repeatedly reminded voters that the vote on Article 1 required a two-thirds majority because it amends the zoning bylaw. After ending debate by approving a motion to move the question, the electronic vote on the main motion recorded 1,045 yes and 421 no; the moderator reported the motion adopted by a two-thirds majority (reported as 71% to 29%).

Article 1, as presented and adopted, restores rentals to the zoning bylaw "subject to current and future regulations," and, per sponsor remarks, remains subject to local regulatory tools already in place such as registration, complaint hotlines, occupancy rules, and restrictions the town previously adopted to limit corporate ownership.

The meeting record shows extensive public comment both for and against the article, with proponents focusing on economic stability and legal clarity and opponents focused on housing affordability, neighborhood impacts and claims about off-island ownership and revenue leakage. The planning board and finance committee urged voters to decide this night rather than delay to spring town meeting.

Implementation steps, permit or registration changes, and any future bylaw alterations remain subject to the town's normal regulatory and bylaw adoption processes.