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Municipal votes · 2021–2022 Board

Nantucket Select Board

How the Nantucket Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Minutes are loaded from January 6, 2021. Dawn Hill Holdgate chaired the board until July 7, 2021, when the board chose Jason Bridges as Chair and Kristie Ferrantella as Vice Chair. Covers 75 meetings, January 6 to April 27, 2022.

A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.

What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.

Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.

Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budget
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

Your Nantucket ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.

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Board years

Coming up

From the agendas Nantucket posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.

What Town Meeting decided

In Nantucket, Town Meeting — not the Select Board — votes the town budget, bylaws and zoning. Here is what it did with each article, in the Town Clerk’s own words. Any registered voter can take part, and most votes are by voice or show of hands, so there is no list of who voted which way.

Annual Town Meeting · May 4, 2026 84 votes: 73 passed, 3 passed as amended, 4 failed, 4 no action

Sessions: May 4 and 5, 2026

Source: Town Clerk's 2026 Annual Town Meeting summary of votes (town website).

Special Town Meeting · November 4, 2025 2 votes: 1 passed, 1 no action

Source: Town Clerk's November 2025 Special Town Meeting summary of votes.

Annual Town Meeting · May 3, 2025 105 votes: 64 passed, 2 passed as amended, 19 failed, 18 no action, 1 referred, 1 advisory

Sessions: May 3 and 5, 2025

Source: Town Clerk's 2025 Annual Town Meeting summary of votes.

Special Town Meeting · September 17, 2024 17 votes: 3 passed, 1 passed as amended, 8 failed, 5 no action

Source: Town Clerk's September 2024 Special Town Meeting summary of votes.

Annual Town Meeting · May 7, 2024 112 votes: 81 passed, 3 passed as amended, 11 failed, 11 no action, 3 referred, 1 tabled, 2 other

Sessions: May 7, 8 and 9, 2024

Source: Town Clerk's 2024 Annual Town Meeting summary of votes.

Titles are short descriptions of each article from the official record; the quoted words are the Town Clerk’s. A vote at Town Meeting is not the final word on everything: some articles also need a ballot vote (such as a tax override) or the Attorney General’s approval (bylaws).

Members

Matt FeeMember · Elected townwide · at 73 of 75 meetingsDawn E. HillMember · Elected townwide · at 72 of 75 meetingsMelissa MurphyMember · Elected townwide · at 66 of 75 meetings

"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.

Meetings

About missing minutes

Loaded: Select Board minutes from January 6, 2021 through September 23, 2026, as posted on the town’s CivicClerk portal (the board also meets as the County Commissioners; those minutes are included). Older minutes back to 2012 are online but not loaded yet. Sub-committee meetings are not included. Most votes give the mover, the seconder and either “all in favor, so voted”, a count such as “so voted 4-1” with the members opposed named, or a roll call by name. “All in favor” votes show every member present as voting yes. Members who recused or had left the room are left out of that vote. Votes recorded only as “so voted” with no count show the result only; counts that do not match the members present show the count only. Votes taken by paper ballot for committee appointments are not listed. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.

Wednesday, April 27, 2022 · Regular meeting16 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAll 5 members presentMonday, April 25, 2022 · Special meeting1 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAll 5 members presentWednesday, April 13, 2022 · Regular meeting13 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAll 5 members presentWednesday, April 6, 2022 · Regular meeting8 recorded votes, 1 with disagreementAll 5 members presentThursday, March 31, 2022 · Regular meeting1 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAbsent: Kristie Ferrantella, Melissa Murphy

Votes where members disagreed

Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.

Apr 6Alcohol service is to stop at 11:00 PM and…Motion: that alcohol service is to stop at 11:00 PM and the…Passed 3–2 · No: Bridges, Ferrantella

April 6, 2022: Alcohol service is to stop at 11:00 PM and the noise bylaw waiver for 12:00 AM as requested

ApprovePassed · 3–2

That alcohol service is to stop at 11:00 PM and the noise bylaw waiver for 12:00 AM as requested

Yes: Fee, Hill, MurphyNo: Bridges, Ferrantella

From the minutes

“Mr. Fee moved that alcohol service is to stop at 11:00 PM and the noise bylaw waiver for 12:00 AM as requested; seconded by Ms. Murphy. So voted Chair Bridges – No; Mr. Fee – Yes; Ms. Holdgate – Yes; Ms. Murphy – Yes; Ms. Ferrantella – No. 3.” (Motion: Fee, second: Murphy)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Mar 16Add a ballot question to the May 10, 2022…Motion: add a ballot question to the May 10, 2022 election warrant…Passed 4–1 · No: Bridges

March 16, 2022: Add a ballot question to the May 10, 2022 election warrant for the design of the water main extension, as described in the agenda materials

AppointPassed · 4–1

Add a ballot question to the May 10, 2022 election warrant for the design of the water main extension, as described in the agenda materials

Yes: Fee, Ferrantella, Hill, MurphyNo: Bridges

From the minutes

“Ms. Holdgate moved to add a ballot question to the May 10, 2022 election warrant for the design of the water main extension, as described in the agenda materials; seconded by Mr. Fee. So voted 4-1 Chair Bridges was opposed.” (Motion: Hill, second: Fee)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Feb 2Remand the matter to the HDCMotion: remand the matter to the HDCFailed 1–3 · No: Bridges, Hill, Murphy

February 2, 2022: Remand the matter to the HDC

ApproveFailed · 1–3

Remand the matter to the HDC

Yes: FeeNo: Bridges, Hill, Murphy

From the minutes

“Mr. Fee moved to remand the matter to the HDC; seconded by Ms. Murphy. Discussion followed as to potential Board’s actions. Attorney Pucci suggested a revised motion to affirm the appeal, vacate the HDC approval and remand to the HDC for a new public hearing. Ms. Murphy accepted the revised motion. She added that she agrees the administrative record is confusing but does not think the HDC decision was arbitrary. Ms. … the Board members. Chair Bridges asked what a 2-2 vote would mean. Attorney Pucci said that would be a denial. Mr. Fee said the HDC should have clarified its vote earlier and this would give them the chance to do that. Discussion continued among the Board members. By roll call vote: Mr. Fee - Yes; Ms. Holdgate – No; Ms. Murphy – No; Chair Bridges – No. The motion did not carry resulting in the denial of the appeal.” (Motion: Fee, second: Murphy)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Jan 5Reconsider the Board’s prior vote to revokeMotion: reconsider the Board’s prior vote to revokePassed 3–2 · No: Bridges, Ferrantella

January 5, 2022: Reconsider the Board’s prior vote to revoke

ApprovePassed · 3–2

Reconsider the Board’s prior vote to revoke

Yes: Fee, Hill, MurphyNo: Bridges, Ferrantella

From the minutes

“Mr. Fee moved to reconsider the Board’s prior vote to revoke; seconded by Ms. Holdgate. Mr. Fee said he thinks the matter should be remanded to HSAB. Ms. Murphy said the Board’s decision was based on the gear issue, which has not been properly addressed, despite many opportunities. She added that the oyster stock issue raised earlier is solvable if the license is revoked. Ms. Holdgate said she feels there has been progress and advocated for the matter to go back to HSAB. On the motion, by roll call vote: Mr. Fee – yes; Ms. Ferrantella – no; Ms. Holdgate – yes; Chair Bridges – no; Ms. Murphy – yes. So voted to rescind the prior vote to revoke the lease.” (Motion: Fee, second: Hill)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Jan 5Remand the matter to HSABMotion: remand the matter to HSABPassed 3–2 · No: Bridges, Ferrantella

January 5, 2022: Remand the matter to HSAB

ApprovePassed · 3–2

Remand the matter to HSAB

Yes: Fee, Hill, MurphyNo: Bridges, Ferrantella

From the minutes

“Ms. Holdgate moved to remand the matter to HSAB; seconded by Ms. Murphy. So voted Ms. Murphy – yes; Mr. Fee – yes; Ms. Ferrantella – no; Ms. Holdgate – yes; Chair Bridges – no. Mr. Carlson asked for clarification on what is expected to happen with the lease between now and January 18th when HSAB meets on this.” (Motion: Hill, second: Murphy)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Dec 8Reconsider the vote and schedule a new public hearingMotion: reconsider the vote and schedule a new public hearingPassed 4–1 · No: Bridges

December 8, 2021: Reconsider the vote and schedule a new public hearing

ApprovePassed · 4–1

Reconsider the vote and schedule a new public hearing

Yes: Fee, Ferrantella, Hill, MurphyNo: Bridges

From the minutes

“Ms. Holdgate moved to reconsider the vote and schedule a new public hearing; seconded by Ms. Murphy. So voted Chair Bridges – No; Ms. Ferrantella – Yes; Mr. Fee – Yes; Ms. Holdgate – Yes; Ms. Murphy – Yes. XII. SELECT BOARD’S REPORTS/COMMENTS 1.” (Motion: Hill, second: Murphy)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Nov 10Approve as recommended – Traffic Safety Work Group Recommendations:…Motion: approve as recommendedPassed 4–1 · No: Fee

November 10, 2021: Approve as recommended – Traffic Safety Work Group Recommendations: Traffic Safety Work Group member Art Gasbarro reviewed both recommendations

ApprovePassed · 4–1

Approve as recommended

Yes: Bridges, Ferrantella, Hill, MurphyNo: Fee

From the minutes

“Ms. Murphy moved approval as recommended; seconded by Ms. Holdgate. So voted Chair Bridges – Yes; Mr. Fee – No; Ms. Ferrantella – Yes; Ms. Holdgate – Yes; Ms. Murphy - Yes. b) Designate No Parking on South Side of Starbuck Road from Baltimore Street to Approximately 47 Starbuck Road to Allow for Emergency Vehicles and Residents to Pass Through.” (Motion: Murphy, second: Hill)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Nov 3Authorize Mr. Giorgio to draft a home rule petitionMotion: authorize Mr. Giorgio to draft a home rule petitionPassed 4–1 · No: Fee

November 3, 2021: Authorize Mr. Giorgio to draft a home rule petition

ApprovePassed · 4–1

Authorize Mr. Giorgio to draft a home rule petition

Yes: Bridges, Ferrantella, Hill, MurphyNo: Fee

From the minutes

“Ms. Holdgate moved to authorize Mr. Giorgio to draft a home rule petition; Ms. Ferrantella seconded. So voted Chair Bridges – Yes; Ms. Ferrantella – Yes; Ms. Holdgate – Yes; Mr. Fee – No; Ms. Murphy – Yes..” (Motion: Hill, second: Ferrantella)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Oct 13Uphold the decision of the HDC as not being…Motion: uphold the decision of the HDC as not being arbitrary or…Passed 4–1 · No: Hill

October 13, 2021: Uphold the decision of the HDC as not being arbitrary or capricious and to deny the appeal

DenyPassed · 4–1

Uphold the decision of the HDC as not being arbitrary or capricious and to deny the appeal

Yes: Bridges, Fee, Ferrantella, MurphyNo: Hill

From the minutes

“Mr. Fee moved to uphold the decision of the HDC as not being arbitrary or capricious and to deny the appeal; seconded by Ms. Ferrantella. Ms. Holdgate said she is struggling with this because the way Mr. Pohl represented the decision went beyond visibility issues and said as a result it feels somewhat arbitrary. Ms. Murphy agreed with Ms. Holdgate, noting that it was stated this issue was being brought to the Board … Attorney Riley said the appellant has the potential to take the matter to Superior Court and that outcome is uncertain. Mr. Fee said the HDC indicated the spa is visible, a remand will not help and the HDC should be supported. He said the applicant can make changes and reapply. So voted Chair Bridges – Yes; Ms. Ferrantella – Yes; Mr. Fee – Yes; Ms. Holdgate – No; Ms. Murphy – Yes. XI. CITIZEN/DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS 1.” (Motion: Fee, second: Ferrantella)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Oct 13Approve the October 21st request and no further requestsMotion: approve the October 21st request and no further requestsPassed 4–1 · No: Murphy

October 13, 2021: Approve the October 21st request and no further requests

ApprovePassed · 4–1

Approve the October 21st request and no further requests

Yes: Bridges, Fee, Ferrantella, HillNo: Murphy

From the minutes

“Ms. Ferrantella moved approval of the October 21st request and no further requests; seconded by Ms. Holdgate. So voted Chair Bridges – Yes; Ms. Ferrantella – Yes; Mr. Fee – Yes; Ms. Holdgate – Yes; Ms. Murphy – No. XII. ADJOURNMENT.” (Motion: Ferrantella, second: Hill)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

From the Nantucket Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town’s CivicClerk portal. We check every vote against the members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Member photos from the Nantucket Current: Dawn E. Hill (with its March 2024 story on her reelection bid), Matt Fee (with his March 2025 reelection column), Brooke Mohr (2025 campaign photo by Jason Graziadei), Robert DeCosta and Jill Vieth (May 2026 election-day photos by Jason Graziadei). Former members show initials.

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