Nantucket CPC Approves $122,538 in Grants, Flags Decades of Easement Violations

Other Committee · Meeting of July 21, 2026

Nantucket's Community Preservation Committee approved $122,538 in fund requisitions and confronted a sweeping disclosure that its preservation easement arrangements may be legally invalid. Chair Linda, citing a consultation with town counsel identified as Stuart, told the board that one 501(c)(3) cannot hold an easement for another, meaning all easements currently routed through the Nantucket Preservation Trust must be retrieved and reassigned to valid holders — the Conservation Commission for open space or the Historical Commission for historic properties. She also warned that local deed restrictions cap out at 30 years under state law regardless of perpetuity language, and that clawback provisions in past grant contracts — triggered when CPC-funded properties like the youth hostel and the Human Services Center were sold — were never enforced.

On staffing, the committee remains deadlocked with town administration over whether it can raise its open administrative position from 19.5 hours per week; Select Board Chair Dawn said she would raise the question with the town manager, while the chair said the committee funds the salary entirely from CPC dollars and should control the terms.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,167 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of July 21, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.