Board keeps PFAS‑sensitive regulation hearing open, schedules follow‑up and invites affordable‑housing stakeholders

The Nantucket Board of Health voted on Feb. 19 to continue its public hearing on proposed amendments to the Hammock Pond Watershed and the Wellhead Protection District regulations until March 19, after staff and members described changes intended to standardize protections across the town’s water protection zones and to direct further outreach to affordable‑housing stakeholders.

Carrie (staff), who led the regulatory drafting effort, said the revisions aim to make protections across the four water protection districts consistent. Key edits include restating an existing flow limit as “110 gallons per day per 10,000 square feet” (equivalent to the previous expression of 440 gallons per day per acre), requiring IA septic systems in designated areas and upgrades on property transfer, system failure or new construction, and periodic inspections of conventional systems every five years. The draft also adds a special‑variance provision allowing the board to consider waivers where denial of a variance would create undue hardship for projects connected to the Nantucket Affordable Housing Trust’s guidance.

Board members and public commenters pressed for clarity on how the proposed language would affect affordable housing and whether other water protection districts should receive similar language; several board members urged a joint discussion with housing‑related organizations (including, they said, nonprofits that develop affordable or attainable housing) before final action. One attendee said MassDEP has been investigating island water quality for years and urged prioritizing public‑health protections.

The board agreed to keep the hearing open, to invite affordable‑housing stakeholders for a focused meeting in March, and to continue the formal hearing to March 19 so that counsel and other partners can participate. The motion to continue was made, seconded and approved by the board.

Next steps: staff will continue outreach to the Nantucket Affordable Housing Trust and other housing organizations, incorporate comments where appropriate, and return draft language for further board review at the continued hearing.