The Finance Committee convened a pre-meeting conference to prepare for the Town of Nantuckets special town meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at the Mary P. Walker Auditorium.

Sarah (Moderator) said the warrants printed motion for Article 1 is a motion "to take no action," which "requires a simple majority," but she cautioned that "if a positive motion on Article 1 is presented ... to enact a zoning bylaw change ... that will require a two thirds vote." She advised sponsors to be prepared that acting on the substance of Article 1 will trigger the higher threshold.

The moderator told attendees she had received proposed amendments to Article 2 from Bob DeCosta and Mike Hurley. "When I have an amendment, if I know that I have it and I have it in writing, I will go to the person who's proposed the amendment for them to make it," she said, adding that the meeting can have an amendment and an amendment to the amendment on the floor at the same time. She also stressed that "the vote on an amendment is a simple majority regardless of the quantum of vote required for the article itself."

On-floor versus pre-submitted amendments: the moderator recommended that substantive amendments be submitted ahead of the meeting so they can be displayed, saying, "If you want your amendment to have any chance of passage, I suggest getting it to me in advance so that it can be put up on the screen." She said minor editorial fixes can be made on the fly but that she cannot deny amendments offered from the floor: "I cannot deny amendments. I can discourage them."

Nonvoter participation and designated speaker: the moderator said only the Advisory Committee of Nonvoting Taxpayers (ACNVT) has a standing designation to speak and that it had designated Edward Sanford to speak on its behalf under Town Charter section 2.6 and Nantucket Code 44-2(b). She noted any other nonvoters would need the meetings leave to be recognized.

Legal clarifications and expert testimony: the moderator said requests for legal guidance or expert testimony are at her discretion and that town counsel would be the only expert expected to speak during the town meeting. She confirmed that even if Article 1 passes, voters will still have an opportunity to address Article 2; depending on results, "the motion on Article 2 may change," and counsel may be asked to clarify next steps. She also observed that if both competing articles were to pass, that outcome would likely require state review.

Drafting and projection of the warrant: participants identified a drafting error in Article 1s posted text: new short-term rental language was not highlighted as intended. Jeremy Bloomer asked that the correction be made when the article is projected at the meeting.

Logistics and accessibility for Nov. 4: town staff advised there will be three rooms set up: the main auditorium (Mary P. Walker Auditorium), an overflow room in the high school gym with two-way sound and video, and a CPS gym that will carry audio only. Check-in is expected to begin about 4 p.m.; attendees were asked to reserve the closest parking for people who need it. Town staff estimated about 600 chairs available on the floor and that bleachers would also be available.

Annual town meeting timeline and citizen articles: the moderator noted the 2026 annual town meeting schedule and said citizen warrant submittals for 2026 close Monday, Nov. 17, 2025 at 4 p.m., with details available on the town website.

Exhibits and slides: the moderator referenced the towns handout and exhibit policy and said presenters may be allowed to project a slide that meets policy requirements if it is submitted in advance.

Adjournment: the committee closed the pre-meeting conference on a motion "to adjourn" moved by Peter Schaeffer and seconded by Joanna Roche. A roll-call vote recorded ayes and the committee adjourned.

What this means for Nov. 4: Voters should expect Article 1 to require a two-thirds vote if a positive motion to enact zoning changes is made; amendments to either article will be decided by simple majority; designated nonvoter input will be limited to the ACNVTs representative unless the meeting grants others leave; and staff will project corrected article text and manage overflow rooms and accessible parking. The moderator encouraged proponents of substantive amendments to submit them electronically ahead of the meeting so they can be displayed.