Nantucket OKs Topless Beaches But Bans Hot Tubs and Nips

While nipples got most of the headlines at Nantucket's Annual Town Meeting this week, nips got a lot of attention too. As a matter of fact, while going topless on the beach got a thumbs up from Town Meeting members, plastic alcohol nip bottles got the boot, as did fertilizer and some hot tubs.

The article that got the most attention allows anyone to go topless on island beaches. The proposal passed on a 327-242 vote. Attorney General Maura Healey must determine the legality of the measure.

Nantucket's Inquirer and Mirror newspaper reports Town Meeting also voted 374-105 to approve a home-rule petition to ban the use of fertilizer island-wide, except for farming purposes. Petition supporters say the ban is needed to help preserve Nantucket's scallop industry. The home-rule petition requires legislative approval.

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An article to ban outdoor hot tubs and spas in the downtown and Sconset areas was approved. Supporters say developers have gotten around laws banning pools in the historic district by simply installing large hot tubs.

The ban on plastic alcohol nip bottles, which apparently can be found discarded anywhere, if on Nantucket, sailed through on a 496-73 vote. Nantucket joins several other Massachusetts communities, including Wareham, Chelsea and Falmouth in banning the nip bottles.

The Nantucket Current reports ban supporter Pam Murphey argued the ban on nip bottles would "reduce litter and toxic elements flowing into our lands and beaches, and the Nantucket environment."

The ban takes effect on January 1, 2023, if approved by Attorney General Healey.

So while nipples won the night in terms of headlines, there were some other important issues dealt with by Town Meeting members on Nantucket this week.