Why Article 97 Is a Bad Idea and Will Harm Nantucket We Like Letters!
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Thursday, April 1, 2021 The Inquirer and Mirror, Nantucket, Mass. Page 11A Op-Ed Page Above the Fold Why Land Bank funds should be tapped for affordable housing The I&M’s Twice-weekly Newsletter By Brooke Mohr fee. We believe that the com- critical cause in need of that providing rental housing for Sign Up Today at www.ack.net Contributing Writer munity deserves the oppor- funding stream. approximately 75 families tunity to discuss whether A few years ago, at the at multiple income levels by Nantucket is at a cross- the housing crisis should be urging of Nantucket housing subsidizing the developments roads. From 1990-2020, the Distinctive Waterfront Lodging…on Cape Cod considered as worthy of sig- advocates, the NLB adopted on properties acquired by the median home price rose 711 nificant financial resources a housing policy that provid- Neighborhood First funding percent, while the median as the acquisition of addition- ed it an opportunity to act at 135 and137 Orange St., the income rose just 166 percent. Save al conservation property. within its charter to aid hous- UMass Vesper Lane property The Nantucket Affordable % The NLB has taken in ing efforts. The policy was as well as the old fire station 25 Housing Trust (NAHT) has an average of $20 million in modeled on the example of site; and 3) funding a shared • Nantucket Residents receive 25% off designed programs and ini- transfer-fee revenue over the the Martha’s Vineyard Land equity/down-payment assis- all of our guest rooms. tiatives that will make signif- last five years and had cash Bank which has worked with tance program to allow Nan- • Complimentary Wireless Internet icant progress to address the 1 South St reserves of $39 million at the housing organizations there tucketers earning up to 200 • Close to Island Ferries, Shopping and Hyannis, MA 02601 worsening crisis resulting end of 2020 with debt obli- on at least 14 occasions to percent AMI the opportunity Cape Cod Hospital from a shortage of housing 508-775-0357 gations of $16 million. Since facilitate the creation of year- to acquire their own home. • Valid until 4/15/21 www.anchorin.com for year-round residents. Our its inception, the NLB has round housing for Vineyard We presently have five community made a $25 mil- brought in nearly $400 mil- residents. firefighters commuting from lion down payment toward lion. Housing advocates have the Cape. Is this really the these efforts in 2019 The NLB has 3,800 acres brought several potential col- Nantucket we want for our Sales • Service Those funds have been under management. Near- laborations to the NLB that future? Installation • Rentals largely committed to vari- ly 52 percent of Nantucket’s would have combined AHT Article 97 offers the tax- ous upcoming projects, but acreage is already in conser- and NLB resources to provide payers the option to (finally) the job is far from complete vation. The percentage of open space and lower-density fund significant investment and will require substantial land available for develop- housing developments in tra- to address our housing cri- and reliable funding to sup- ment has decreased from 53 ditionally year-round neigh- sis using a fee that is paid port long-term planning and percent in 1987 to 4.8 per- borhoods. The NLB has thus by people who are choosing NANTUCKET LAND & SEA investment. cent in 2020. Recent NLB far been unable to see the to invest in Nantucket. This CO., INC. Article 97 asks Town acquisitions of small, in-town value in these types of collab- revenue stream would not 508-228-4038 Meeting to consider reallo- parcels and costly harbor- orations. impact the general fund of nantucketlandandsea.com On-Island Certified Dealer cating a minor portion (25 front parcels signify that the Article 97 would leave the town, or compete with percent) of the Nantucket NLB’s mission of acquiring the NLB with 75 percent of other important infrastruc- Land Bank’s (NLB) current large-scale open space for its current revenue stream ture investments and town All political ads must be received transfer fee of 2 percent to the wide public use has declined. which, by its own reports services. in full and paid for in full by Affordable Housing Trust for Mission creep is also seen in furnished to the FinCom, is We all know year-round 20 years. statements that future Land more than adequate to con- housing needs funding. The 12 Noon Tuesday. We drafted this article Bank revenues must be pre- tinue its operations and the question for voters is: where because we believed there served for “coastal resiliency” management of properties it would they like it to come - No Exceptions - were no other means of sus- efforts, a purpose not found currently owns, in addition to from? No copy changes will be permitted after the ad has tainable funding for housing anywhere in the NLB char- having dry powder for future Brooke Mohr advocates been accepted, except to correct typographical errors. on the horizon. The political ter. acquisitions. for a healthy community as powers in Boston that have Some have suggested that The proposed revenue a member of the Council for - No Exceptions - successfully blocked our the Land Bank transfer fee stream for the AHT will be Human Services, Nantucket efforts thus far to establish has become a funding stream dedicated to critical hous- Equity Advocates and The The Inquirer and Mirror Thea housing-bank Inquirer and Mirror transfer - 04/01/2021 fee in search of a revised cause. ing-related priorities: 1) Affordable HousingPage Trust. : A11 POLITICAL ADVERTISING POLICIES have told us they would sup- We bring to the communi- maintaining our Safe Harbor Her sponsorship of Article 97 The following Regulations Pertaining to port a reallocation of the NLB ty the idea that housing is a status under Chapter 40B; 2) is as a private citizen. Political Advertising Must be Followed: 1. Ads will be scheduled ONLY when copy has been Why Article 97 is a bad idea and will harm Nantucket approved for publication. All political advertising must be paid prior to copy deadline in advance of By The Land Bank public escalate just as fast. Bank in jeopardy when the them. They are initiatives publication. Advertising deadline for all art and copy Commissioners Through the purchase of town has other locally-con- that can be implemented will be posted on rate card. critical shorelines, special trolled funding sources which much more quickly than a 2. All political advertising will be charged the current We are your elected Land habitat areas and scenic can be directed toward afford- home-rule petition which applicable rate per column inch. Special advertising rates for political candidates do apply. Bank commissioners. We landscapes, the Land Bank able housing. must be approved by the proudly lead the current protects the island’s water Article 97 seeks to reduce 3. ALL political advertising, no matter how free of libel legislature and won’t risk chapter in the 38-year history supply, balances develop- Land Bank resources at it may appear to be, MUST be cleared by the long-term harm to a valued management of The Inquirer and Mirror. Acceptable of this incredible, homegrown ment with preservation, and a time when population community institution. documentation must be provided in order to receive institution. Article 97 is a cit- provides trails and outdoor growth and corresponding copy approval. The newspaper will determine what izen’s petition to take away recreational opportunities for public needs are increasing. Both the Finance Com- constitutes acceptable documentation. The Inquirer 25 percent of Land Bank rev- all. Many have brought their Land Bank efforts result in mittee and the NP&EDC and Mirror will accept political advertising providing enue and reallocate it to the children or grandchildren to expanded public access to the have reviewed and unani- it is not libelous, does not violate the law and meets the newspaper’s standards of fairness and good taste. Affordable Housing Trust. one of our public playgrounds water, healthier ponds and mously voted not to recom- Please join us in opposing or golf courses. The Land watersheds, and help balance 4. Political advertisements for which the charge exceeds mend Article 97. The Land $50.00 must be paid by check (General Laws - Article 97 at the 2021 Annual Bank also preserves and development density which Bank’s finances and needs Chap. 55, Sec. 7A). Town Meeting. promotes local agriculture plagues so many destination were scrutinized throughout 5. Political ads must be clearly designated In 1983, via home-rule through the acquisition of resort communities. the review process. We are “Paid Political Advertising”, as required by law, above petition, the voters of Nan- farmland, resulting in fresh Impending effects of cli- humbled and grateful that the ads in each column occupied by the ad - in a size tucket’s Annual Town Meet- food on our island tables. mate change also pose exis- no smaller than regular news type. a significant number of com- ing told the Massachusetts Without question, pro- tential threats to our island, 6. Advertisement must contain the name and address of legislature they wanted a grams that are inefficient making it essential that we munity members took time the c andidate and/or name of a registered voter Land Bank. The legislature or don’t work should be find means to mitigate ero- out of their busy lives to voice residing in the district, city or county in which the support for the mission of the candidate is seeking office.