NEW BYLAW ADOPTED AT 2023 TOWN MEETING

Island-wide Organizations 

  Nantucket Civic League (letter here)

  Nantucket Historical Commission (letter here)

  Nantucket Land Council (endorsement here)

Neighborhood Associations

   Brant Point Association (letter here)

   Madaket Conservation Association (letter here)

   Nantucket Town Association (letter here)

   Naushop Homeowners Association (letter here)

   Polpis Association (letter here)

   'Sconset Civic Association (letter here)

   Shimmo Association (letter here)

   Surfside Association (letter here)

   Tom Nevers Civic Association (letter here)

   Quidnet Squam Association (letter here)

Other

   Nantucket Wine & Spirits (letter here)

   Youth Climate Committee (NHS)

1/26 FinCom Meeting

The committee discussed the proposal but didn't take a vote on whether or not to recommend passage of it; discussion to be continued.  Recording (starting at 1:16:49): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr8lNoLGy1w

2/16 FinCom Meeting

The committee discussed the proposal again at length but still didn't take a vote on it; discussion to be continued at the 2/23 meeting. Some committee members indicated a willingness to vote to recommend passage of it if the enforcement provisions that went beyond what's in the existing bylaw were removed. Without agreeing to give up on those provisions, Gail offered to provide a draft motion to adopt with the "enhanced" enforcement provisions removed, for the committee's consideration on 2/23. Recording (starting at 16:13): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpJKlVwvf5A.

2/23 FinCom Meeting

FinCom voted (7-1) to recommend passage of the proposed bylaw with the "enhanced" enforcement provisions removed, out of concern that they would be too burdensome for the Town. This included the proposed outdoor lighting permit requirement and a formal appeal process for those wanting to challenge a decision (or inaction) by the Lighting Enforcement Officer. No changes were made to the proposed new lighting requirements other than those that Gail indicated were needed to correct some inconsistencies she discovered after filing her article. Before the vote, Gail stated on the record that she would support the revised version if it were endorsed by FinCom. The Town Meeting Warrant will reflect the committee's recommendation and contain the revised version. View the Motion to Adopt, as passed, here. Recording (starting at 1:53:07): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RerXndot4ks.

3/16 Here and There Column in the Inquirer and Mirror

“Those of us who grew up on the island take our dark skies for granted. But seasonal residents and visitors from the mainland, where light pollution is common, know what a special gift we have with an evening environment that’s pretty darn good for stargazing. Some people can also see the threats to our dark skies with all the new building going on, especially the construction of these huge houses and compounds with pools and spas that are lit up all night long, whether the properties are occupied or not.

One of those people cognizant of what we stand to lose is Gail Walker, who with her husband, the author John Lancaster, has been coming to the island every summer for almost 40 years. Off-season they live in Washington, D.C.

Walker is the sponsor of Article 76, which will be considered by voters at Town Meeting on Saturday, May 6 and addresses regulations for outdoor lighting. It is well worth our consideration. In the face of the rampant building and development, we need to be vigilant and aware of unintended consequences and work hard to keep what we can of what has always been special about Nantucket.”

https://nantucketinquirer-ma.newsmemory.com/?publink=03d3097b7_134aad0

4/19 Meet the Articles Forum

     Discussion of Article 76 (2-minute time limit): 

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8THPyX-qi6g&t=2111s

4/20 Article in the Inquirer and Mirror

     "Article 76 would overhaul lighting code"

     https://www.ack.net/stories/article-75-would-overhaul-lighting-code,31812

5/8 Vote at Town Meeting

The proposed new outdoor lighting bylaw was adopted on a vote of 298-152, after a motion to amend by Nantucket Public Schools superintendent Beth Hallett that would have gutted it was soundly defeated on a vote of 169-288. Dr, Hallett's motion would have exempted not only the public schools campus but all Nantucket municipal buildings and parking lots and the Nantucket Cottage Hospital from all the proposed new regulations.