The first program of its kind in the United States, the Nantucket Islands Land Bank was conceived by Nantucket’s Planning Commission, adopted by the voters of Nantucket, and established by a special act of the Massachusetts Legislature in 1983. See a timeline for the passage of the Land Bank Act here.

Timeline for establishing the Nantucket Islands Land Bank

Annual Town Meeting held April 5, 1983

To vote on Article 23: Nantucket County Land Bank stated: “To see if the Town will vote to instruct its representative in the General Court to file a bill in the Legislature, in the form of a home rule petition to establish a Nantucket County Land Bank…said bill, when approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor, to be approved in its final form by the voters at Town Meeting in order for it to be implemented.” Based on a recommendation from the Planning Board, the article was later amended to include the words, “A two-percent registration fee for certain transfers of real estate.” The vote was taken by a show of hands: Yes, 446; No, 1.

Special Town Meeting held December 5, 1983

To vote on Article 1: Acceptance of Nantucket Islands Land Bank Legislation. No recommendation by the Finance Committee was made because the article was not ready in its final form. The article was mentioned but passed over.

*The article was approved by the Legislature and signed by the Govenor on December 20, 1983.

Special Town Meeting held January 17, 1984

To vote on Article 1: Acceptance of Nantucket Islands Land Bank Legislation stated, "To see if the Town will vote to accept Chapter 669 of the Act of 1983, An Act Establishing the Nantucket Islands Land Bank." The Finance Committee recommended that the Town vote to accept this legislation, as it is probably the last chance to preserve for public use and enjoyment some open spaces and beaches of the Nantucket Islands. The vote was taken by a show of hands: Yes, 293; No, 12.

Annual Town Meeting held April 2, 1985

To vote on Article 28: Technical Amendment to the Land Bank Act stated, "To see if the Town will vote to authorize its representative in the General Court to introduce legislation to amend Chapter 669 of the Acts of 1983 as follows: Section 14C of Chapter 669 is hereby amended by striking the first sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence..." The Finance Committee recommends that the Town so vote. The vote was taken and passed.

Press Archives

• Stolz, James. “Preserving Open Land, Nantucket Style.” Country Journal November/December 1990. (PDF)
• Giffin, Tom. “Land Bank – Step Towards Survival.” The Inquirer and Mirror 24 Feb. 1983. (PDF)
• Gerwin, Carol. “Saving Cape Cod.” Commonwealth 1999. (PDF)
• Norton, Michael P. “Voters Say Yes to $25 Million Land Bank Bond.” The Inquirer and Mirror 5 Jun. 1997. (PDF)
• “Top Ten News Stories of ’97 – 1: $25 Million for Open Space” The Nantucket Beacon 6 Jan. 1998. (PDF)