Historic panel votes to fight Section 106 rollback
The Nantucket Historic District Commission voted to oppose proposed federal changes to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
Other Committee · Meeting of October 27, 2026
NANTUCKET — The Nantucket Historic District Commission voted to oppose proposed federal changes to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Commissioners voted 7-0 to send a letter to President Trump and separately voted unanimously to join a national coalition, 106 Strong, in a letter to Congress. Preservation Planner Holly said more than 1,000 organizations have joined the coalition, alongside Nantucket's Select Board and Historical Commission, and that Congress is expected to vote on the underlying bill November 9.
Commissioner Stephen Welch argued the panel should link its opposition to offshore wind turbine permitting, saying the administration is "clearly on better controls over the process of approving wind turbines." Commissioner Carrie Thorla called the pairing confusing, saying the two issues "are at odds." The board also worked through roughly 20 local building applications, splitting 2-3 against six-over-six windows at one Mattaket Road home before approving six-over-one windows 4-1.
In the full story:
- Commissioner Comments and Winter Meeting Schedule
- Advocacy on Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
- Consent Agenda
- 47 Hulbert Avenue: Parking Expansion Debate
- 8 Denham Street: Deer Fence, Driveway and Pool
- Woodbine Road: Window Survey Dispute at Innisfree and Mannering House
- 19 North Water Street: As-Built Hardscape Changes
- 120 Wawinet Road: Wawinet Inn Facade Repair
- 19 Massachusetts Avenue: Chimney Stability and Historic Character
- 32A Westchester Street: Cottage Addition
- 10 Maxi Pond Road: Deer Fence Setback Dispute
- 95 Hummock Pond Road: Garage Demolition and Replacement
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report: 3,178 words
Source: the Other Committee meeting of October 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.
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