2026 Annual Town Meeting & Election

Article 13 and Ballot Question 3 ask voters to approve $7 million through a debt exclusion to begin the first phase of municipal employee housing at Waitt Drive.

The Housing Department is seeking funding for the construction of Town and School employee housing on one Town-owned lot on Waitt Drive. The project will create six municipal housing units with adequate parking, comprising a total of nine bedrooms, across two apartment buildings. The cost also includes the design, sitework, and parking area for all three lots.

• The Housing Department is putting this project out to bid in order to obtain accurate cost estimates from builders.
• These estimates before Annual Town Meeting will help the Town and the community understand what the project would cost before decisions are made.

Tax Rate Impact
If approved at Town Meeting and Town Election, the estimated tax impact would increase the annual bill by approximately $10.38 for 25 years for a year-round property valued at $1,878,950 that qualifies for the residential exemption. Click HERE for the 2026 Town Meeting Tax Rate Calculator.

Background

Developing the Town-owned lots on Waitt Drive into Town and School employee housing is an important step in supporting the Town’s workforce needs by providing stable, affordable housing options. The escalating housing costs on Nantucket have made it challenging for essential employees, such as teachers, public safety workers, and DPW staff, to find affordable year-round rentals or ownership opportunities. This project would provide stable housing options close to critical Town services, easing this burden and ensuring housing security.

In 2004, the Town acquired the 20-acre parcel known as “2 Fairgrounds” from Nantucket Electric Company. This parcel was later subdivided into 2, 4 and 6 Fairgrounds Road, as well as vacant lots and roadways on Waitt Drive and Ticcoma Way, which totals 4.47 acres. A 2004 site planning exercise recommended that the site be used for municipal housing.

The Housing Department has explored the potential of creating housing on the lots on Waitt Drive. These lots offer sufficient space and zoning potential for various housing configurations that can address multiple family sizes and needs. Centralizing housing at Waitt Drive allows the Town to manage a single site more efficiently instead of handling the logistics of multiple scattered-site rentals. This centralized approach increases oversight and maintenance efficiency, helping to ensure the quality and availability of employee housing. Developing these lots aligns with broader goals under the Select Board’s Strategic Plan, reinforcing the Town’s commitment to municipal employee housing.

Scope

The Master Plan for the site is to develop all three lots into Nantucket Public Schools and Town employee housing. The build-out will be made up of six structures representing three building styles: (2) Style A, (2) Style AA and (2) Style B.

• Style A: This structure will feature two units: one (1) two-bedroom apartment and one (1) one-bedroom apartment.
• Style AA: Identical on the exterior to Style A. This structure will feature three (3) one-bedroom apartments, one (1) of which will be ADA compliant.
• Style B: This structure will feature four units: two (2) two-bedroom apartments and two (2) one-bedroom apartments.
• Finished Area: Approximately 5,500 sq. ft. in its entirety across all three lots.
  The Master Plan illustrates the potential maximum buildout of all three lots along Waitt Drive.