News

Below please find a recent letter sent to the Select Board of Nantucket following a vote by the Civic Association Board to do so. It encourages the Town to honor the 2013 Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Town and the Sconset Beach Preservation Fund that allows for expansion of the geotubes. The issue of erosion affects our entire community and we all benefit from the ability to walk or bike the scenic road to Sankaty Head Lighthouse. 

August 17, 2020

Dear Select Board of Nantucket:

The Board of the Siasconset Civic Association voted to support the expansion of the geotube project on the bluff off Baxter Road as was agreed in a 2013 Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Board of Selectmen. The Siasconset Beach Preservation Fund has successfully shown over the past seven years that it is possible to stop erosion in protected areas with no negative impact as regular monitoring has shown.

Hundreds of residents and visitors walk, run or bike to Sankaty Lighthouse every day and protecting the road for residents is very important. This is a historic portion of ‘Sconset and includes the cliff walk that parallels the shoreline. The beach below is being nourished with sand in an environmentally responsible plan that is privately funded.

Many parts of Nantucket’s coastline are facing erosion and we think there is much to learn from this project that could help other parts of Nantucket as well as other communities in Massachusetts.

The Board of the Siasconset Civic Association supports the efforts of the ‘Sconset Beach Preservation Fund to stabilize the bank above the beach on Baxter Road and hopes that the Select Board will conclude that the continuing legal challenges are not in the best interest of the town or the community.

Sincerely,

Lynn Filipski
President, Siasconset Civic Association

From Ocean Ave west to Morley Lane, from Pochick Ave north to King Street and all the way down Gully Road, the Sconset Clean Team picked up everything from plastic bags, bottles and cans to an old sun hat, a pair of flip flops and several deflated balloons.  It's a good feeling knowing all the trash we picked up didn’t end up in the ocean. And Sconset is a little bit cleaner today as a result.  Thank you to those listed below for getting it done!  And a special thanks to Anne Dougherty for serving as today's team captain. If you are on island on Saturday September 19th, please join us for our September Clean-up by registering at www.siasconsetcivicassociation.org under Upcoming Events.                                                                                   August 15 Clean Team Volunteers Caitlin Boland Nancy Broll Scott & Tracy Biedron Lynn Filipski Robert Franklin & Charles Mappin Emily Maletta Nina Ross & Ross Berlingham Gail Walker Dan Weber & Anne Dougherty

Nantucket Face Covering Orders:  https://nantucket-ma.gov/1677/Face-Covering-Orders

Thanks to all those (dogs and teddy bears included) who helped with this project, done in July and August 2020 conjunction with the Town Health Department to spread awareness about the requirement to wear a mask in the Sconset historic district, which is bordered by Coffin Street, West Sankaty, Morey Lane and Ocean Avenue to Codfish Park.

It turns out that the steps for completing the 2020 census online for a secondary residence are a bit tricky. So, to help you out, we're providing more detailed guidance below. If you still run into problems, you can call 1-844-330-2020 and complete it over the phone. To complete it online, here's the link: https://my2020census.gov/.  Please do take a moment to complete the census for your Sconset residence. The Town of Nantucket uses the data when it applies for Federal funds as well as for determining services such as transportation and emergency services. STEP 1:   On the screen where it asks where you were living on April 1, 2020, ENTER YOUR SCONSET STREET ADDRESS EVEN IF YOU WEREN'T LIVING THERE ON APRIL 1, 2020.  (If it says it doesn't recognize the address you entered, click "Submit" again if the address you entered was correct.) STEP 2:  Then, when it asks how many people were living or staying at your Sconset house on April 1, 2020, enter ZERO. STEP 3: You will get another prompt asking you to enter another number. But don't; just click on "Next." STEP 4: The next screen will ask if you were living or staying at your Sconset residence on April 1, 2020.  Click on "No." STEP 5:  On the next screen, it will ask why no one was living or staying at that address on April 1, 2020.  That's where you can select "For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use" (or whatever reason you weren't living or staying at your Sconset residence on April 1, 2020) STEP 6:  On the next screen, you can then choose to start the process of entering census information about your primary residence (if you haven't already complete the census for that residence), by clicking on 'Yes" to the question of whether you have another Census ID for the place you were living or staying on April 1, 2020. (If you don't have a Census ID for that residence, you can still complete the questions about it).

We've received several inquiries about this so we thought all Civic Association members would benefit from knowing the answers to these questions. If you have even more questions than what's answered here, please email us at sconsetcivic@gmail.com and we'll do our best to answer them.

Is it true that we need to complete the U.S. census for our 'Sconset residence even if it is not our primary residence?

Yes, if you have a second residence in Sconset in addition to the place that you stay most of the time, you will need to complete the census for both homes.

What if I threw away the form that was sent to me?

You can complete the census online at:  https://my2020census.gov/. Or you can call 1-844-330-2020 and complete it over the phone. 

How do I complete the census form for a seasonal residence?

The census refers to this scenario as having a “usual home elsewhere.”  You will answer ‘0’ to the question concerning the number of people living or staying at that address as of April 1, 2020. Then select "For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use" (if the unit is not being rented out, sold, or otherwise utilized) for the next question that asks why no one will be living at that address.

If you previously have completed the census form for your main dwelling, you can then exit from the survey. If not, there should be a link for answering questions about your primary home.

For more details, visit https://wecountwashington.org/questions/how-do-i-complete-the-census-form-for-a-second-home-cabin-or-seasonal-residence/

Why is it important to complete the census for your Sconset home?

The Town of Nantucket can review the census data to better understand the needs of the community and determine adjustments for things such as hospitals, roads, schools, transportation, parks and emergency services. The Town also uses the data when it applies for Federal funds or grants, which are often based on population size.

You will not be counted as a Nantucket resident for purposes of allocating representatives for Congress.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, we aren't able to have Clean Team meet-ups this summer. However, we encourage everyone who is on island to spend the third Saturday of each month, between 8:30am and 11:00am, cleaning up an area of the village on their own or with other members of their household.  The Civic Association will provide trash bags, gloves, and "grabbers" to those who would like them. These can be picked up at 15 Burnell Street (the "grabbers" will need to be returned afterwards). Please send an email to sconsetcivic@gmail.com to arrange a pick-up time.  Any collected debris can be dropped of at 15 Burnell.  We'll then arrange a special pick-up by DPW of everything collected. Please remember to wear your mask throughout the Sconset historic district. Thank you in advance for helping keeping 'Sconset clean this summer!

Below is a summary of the Zoom meeting we had on July 8th for those who weren't able to join us. For those who would like to listen to a recording of the meeting, a link is provided at the bottom of this post.

Our next Board meeting will be held on July 20th. Another general membership meeting will be held via Zoom on August 5th at 6pm. Please save the date and plan to join us! Log on information is available on our website.

Summary of July 8th Meeting

• President’s Report by Martha Polachi:

• • This spring she noticed that a much smaller flag was flying on the rotary flag pole. She requested that the DPW reinstall the larger cotton flag. 
  • Over the winter the wood tables at Larsen Park were sealed by Amy Manning. We also received a bid from her for landscaping in Larsen Park. We are now waiting on permission from the Conservation Foundation. 
  • We requested water refilling stations but were told by the Town that they will not be installing any for now because of financial constraints due to COVID-19
  • The DPW delivered trash bin enclosures for the beach, but not yet for Larsen Park. 
  • Porta potties were not installed this year at the beach because of COVID-19 restrictions. 
  • The Fire Station steps will be fixed if DPW can find the money. The Board is considering donating money for the step repairs if they can't. 

• Martha had a few public service announcements as well:

• Treasurer Gene Hilzenrath reported that as of July 8, 272 household memberships had paid dues this calendar year. He asked that all members pay their dues promptly. Dues can be paid online through our website (www.siasconsetcivicassociation.org), mailing a check to (P.O. Box 360, Siasconset, MA 02564), or dropping off a check at 15 Burnell Street in Sconset. Our budgeted income for 2020 is $18,900.00 and our budgeted expenses are $26,201.00. The expense number is a conservative estimate that takes into account past expenses. However, we don't foresee the same expenses this summer as we will not be hosting an annual BBQ, bike safety day, and other events that we traditionally organize, due to COVID-19 restrictions.

• Whitney Schrauth, who is in charge of our Clean Team efforts, reported that we had lots of success with our Clean Team initiative last summer and that we plan to continue it this year, but without group meet-ups because of COVID-19. Instead, all members who are on island are encouraged to participate in a community wide clean-up on the 3rd Saturday of each month between the hours of 8am and 11am -- with household members cleaning up on their own. Supplies (trash bags, plastic gloves, and "grippers") will be available for pick-up for those who need them. Details will be provided in an email to members and also posted on our website. 

• Mary Will, our Nominating Committee Chair, reported that, pursuant to our Bylaws, the Board selected new officers and board members because having an in-person meeting of members to hold elections wasn't possible.  The new officers are as follows: 

President - Lynn Filipski
Vice President - Gail Walker
Secretary - Maggie Boone
Treasurer - Wendy Holding

New directors are Dr. William Druckemiller, Robert Franklin, and John Shea.  Continuing on as directors are Cindy Nelson, Maxwell Mundy, and Whitney Schrauth, 

• We then addressed questions that were presented to the Board prior to the meeting and that were asked via the chat platform on Zoom. The general concerns raised by members were related to landscaping, speeding, parking at the rotary, parking at the beach as well as the playground, bike safety, and road repair work. 

• Outgoing board members were thanked for their contributions and continued support. They are: Cathy Bowman, Snooky Eldridge (our resident historian), Gene Hilzenrath (our outgoingTreasurer), C.O. North (our outgoing Assistant Treasurer and a contributing author of our new bylaws), and Mary Will (who has served as Secretary, Nominating Committee Chair, and Scholarship Fund Chair).

• Finally, Lynn Filipski, President-elect, expressed how fortunate we are to have had Martha Polachi on the Board for the past 12 years and past 5 years as our President. She has made so many important contributions to the village including: the new flagpole, the children’s playground, the beach bathrooms and trash receptacles, and improvements to Larsen Park. Larsen Park is now a beautiful, peaceful and pleasant space where families and friends can enjoy each other’s company. Martha is a full-time resident and we have relied on her to keep her ear to the ground. She has been our direct contact with government officials. Her dedication and commitment will be hard to replicate. We regret that we cannot celebrate Martha at the Casino with cocktails and snacks. In lieu of that, we presented Martha with a Simon Pearce glass bowl to express our gratitude. Martha is behind us and will be one of our greatest resources going forward. Thank you, Martha!

Recording of July 8th Zoom Meeting

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/_sJ2Bajz-CRLac__4QLGBa4FQ5bbX6a82nVMrvYImh1MuBWfI9G15eUnCvxq4ZLc

Password: 3s%l&+^6

In preparation for the ban on single-use plastics, which will go into effect on Nantucket on June 1, 2020, Nantucket as been promoting a BYO(W)B (Bring Your Own Water Bottle) program. 

The program stresses the high quality of water on Nantucket, as well as the advantages of reducing the number of bottles sent to the landfill and trucked off of the island.

To help promote the program the Town will be distributing metal water bottles downtown during the Fourth of July festivities.

Please do your part and carry a refillable water bottle when you venture out.  The location of water filling stations downtown are on the map below.  In addition, there are filling stations at many public beaches and along the bike paths.  

Photo courtesy of 'Sconset Trust

Photo courtesy of Martha Polachi

Photo courtesy of Martha Polachi

Photo courtesy of Martha Polachi

Photo courtesy of Martha Polachi

Photo courtesy of Martha Polachi