News

After much preparation by Nantucket's Department of Public Works (including brush cutting and painting), the Sconset footbridge renovations were completed today, Friday, July 21. It reopened at 6pm after a brief ribbon cutting ceremony. In the last photo, Libby Gibson, Town Manager and Chuck Larson, Deputy Director of the DPW flank Martha Polachi, President of the Siasconset Civic Association, as they cut the ceremonial ribbon.

Gulley Road likely closed with a full blocking from 6-10am, with occasional 10 minute openings. Partial blocking until 4 PM. Pedestrian detour will be in place.

Questions should be directed to the DPW Office at 508-228-7244 or DPW@nantucket-ma.gov

First Annual State of the Harbor Forum
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Great Harbor Yacht Club
4 - 7 pm  (Cocktails and local raw bar to follow)
FREE

The Nantucket Land Council is presenting a free public forum to provide the latest information on the health and ecology of Nantucket Harbor.  Speakers will be presenting on water quality, eelgrass and shellfish along with the strategies that are being employed by the Town of Nantucket and our non-profit community to reduce pollution from septic systems, fertilizer, stormwater and boat use.

Scheduled Speakers:

Kaitlyn Shaw / Town of Nantucket - Harbor Water Quality
Roberto Santamaría / Nantucket Department of Health - Septic Systems
Emily Molden / Nantucket Land Council - Stormwater
Tara Riley / Town of Nantucket - Shellfish and Eelgrass
Cormac Collier / Nantucket Land Council - Fertilizer
Jeff Carlson / Town of Nantucket - Moorings and Boat Use

Photo taken July 10

The DPW Crew has begun sanding and cleaning the Sconset footbridge for painting.  The last bridge painting project was in 2014, and all lead paint was removed by a contractor at that time.   

The repair of the rotted bridge columns is also underway and two of the eight locations have been repaired. The six new 17-foot wood beams are being delivered this week and will be painted before installation.  

A date for the reopening the footbridge will be announced shortly.     

DPW began working on the Sconset bridge yesterday. Trees and vegetation are being trimmed to allow cleaning, repairs and painting of the bridge. Plans are to have the bridge open in two weeks, provided the new 27-foot timber beams are delivered on schedule. 

Pictured is Dale Gary, Town Arborist, clearing branches in a crab apple tree next to the bridge on July 5. 

This is an update provided by Robert McNeil, Nantucket Public Works Director. Another update will follow when we know more.

 DPW expects to have actionable direction from our structural engineer on Monday June 26, 2017 for Sconset Footbridge repairs.  

At this time, it is DPW’s intent to complete the recommended repairs for Sconset Footbridge using DPW staff.

 Once the repairs are detailed, DPW will move immediately to order materials to complete timely repairs for summer.

 The Sconset Footbridge will be reopened at our earliest convenience working together with our structural engineer and Building Inspector.

Message from the Owner/Manager of the 'Sconset Market to the 'Sconset Community:

This coming September I will have had the pleasure of being the owner/manager of the Sconset Market for 35 years. This letter is to thank you all for the support and love that I have felt from the Sconset community for three and a half decades, and also to let all Sconset residents know that I will be retiring from the daily duties of running the Market at the end of the 2017 season.

I am pleased to announce that in 2018 the Market will be managed in the capable and quite familiar hands of Rolf and Cindy Nelson. Their knowledge of the village and its residents, along with their proven success at the Sconset Café and Sconset Bookstore, made this an easy decision. Some may remember when Cindy was the manager of the Market many years and 2 children ago. I am excited that they will bring new energy to the Market with an eye on preserving the historical character.

I look forward to seeing everyone this summer. I may be stepping back but I am not stepping away from our wonderful village.

Sincerely Sconset,
Mark Donato

TOWN OF NANTUCKET PRESS RELEASE

TOWN OF NANTUCKET
Town Administration
16 Broad Street
Nantucket, MA 02554

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sconset Bridge CLOSED as of April 28, 2017

Following a routine structural inspection of the Sconset Footbridge in advance of Daffodil Weekend, the Nantucket Department of Public Works (DPW) identified several concerns in the bridge’s structural support system, including damage from an apparent vehicle strike that was never reported to the Town. A licensed structural engineer hired by the Town confirmed the extent of the damage and based on their recommendations and in the interest of public safety the Town is closing the Sconset Footbridge due to the anticipated heavy pedestrian use this weekend. DPW is working with its engineers to develop a plan to reopen the bridge as soon as possible. Please contact the Town’s Public Outreach Office at (508) 228-7200 x-7049 or Town Administration at 508-228-7255 if you have questions.
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MORE DETAILS IN THE MAY 4, 2017, INQUIRER & MIRROR:  http://www.ack.net/news/20170505/sconset-footbridge-closed

Last week, the President of the Sconset Civic Association sent the following message to the Selectmen for the Town of Nantucket regarding an upcoming vote at the April 1 Town Meeting.

Dear Selectmen,

I am writing to you to encourage a "yes" vote at town meeting regarding the granting of authority by the Commonwealth of MA to each town in the commonwealth to post enforceable 20MPH speed limits in designated areas. The village of Sconset is most supportive of a "yes" vote and would like to see the majority of the village of Sconset designated with enforceable 20MPH signage, given the density of the population and the active pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic.

Last summer there was a campaign by members of the village of Sconset to try and slow traffic with more "go slow" signage and regular requests to the Police Department to monitor traffic speed. We believe that posting additional 20 MPH signs around Sconset that are enforceable by law, will help alleviate speeding vehicles by providing an opportunity to the Police Department to ticket offending vehicles and bring more awareness to traffic speed in the village.

Thank you in advance for your "yes" vote regarding legal and enforceable 20MPH signage in the town of Nantucket and surrounding villages.

Sincerely, 

Martha Polachi
President, Siasconset Civic Association

The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in Sconset!  

The Christmas tree at the rotary is thanks to Rick Blair, Gerry Eldridge, Rob Benchley and Snooky Eldridge.