Introduction

The Town of Nantucket (Town) initiated a public strategic planning project in 2016, adopting its first five-year strategic plan (Plan) in 2018. Town officials realized that organizations driven by clear purposes and shared values have a greater capacity to succeed than those that are not, and since the Plan has been adopted, Town staff have worked to implement projects, programs, and initiatives that support the goals and initiative of the Plan, which are reviewed annually. This process informs the Select Board and Town Administration about available resources, operating challenges, and how priorities have shifted as new activities have become part of how the Town does business.

The Select Board develops a refreshed strategic plan annually, usually in the fall to coincide with the budget and capital planning cycle, reflective of the outcomes the Town is seeking to advance over the next five years. This page provides a comprehensive update on the work that has been completed to date, as well as some of the initiatives that are still on-going, which is important input for developing future priorities. Some activities associated with the Plan have been operationalized – while the Town will continue to work on these activities, they now represent appropriately resourced, day-to-day programs of the Town.

Strategic Plan Overview

Major elements of the Select Board’s Strategic Plan include the Town’s commitment to sustainability, its Mission and Values, and its four Focus Area: Efficient and Effective Town Operations, Environmental Leadership, Housing and Transportation.

The Plan is guided by the principles of Sustainability. The Town is committed to sustainability, emphasizing historic preservation, natural resources, hazard mitigation, solid waste management, energy efficiency, public health, and education. In our municipal operations, we are dedicated to incorporating practices that ensure a balanced and resilient approach to meet the needs of current residents and visitors without compromising our ability to care for future generations.

Select Board Strategic Plan Retreats
In addition to numerous public meetings and workshops held since the Strategic Plan’s adoption, the Select Board has convened a series of retreats to review progress and refine priorities, including retreats on July 15, 2019; October 13, 2021; November 29, 2022; and October 24, 2023.

The time is ripe to review the alignment of the focus areas and goals with the new economic and social realities facing our Town.

Select Board Chair