e t c e t e r a
1. A number of unspecified additional things; 2. pl. additional items, odds and ends

2003 Nantucket Junior Miss Leah Day and the Bobolinks, the premier a capella coed singing group from Middlebury College, performed for students in the high school auditorium last week. Day is a theater major in her senior year at Middlebury.

RAY TO GIVE BRIEFING ON DRAFT RENTAL REGULATIONS Stressing that he is only making a proposal for discussion at tonight's selectmen's meeting on a draft of rental regulations, Health Inspector Richard Ray will go over suggested ways to protect the renting public's health and safety.

Explaining that the draft arose out of continued concern about overcrowded rental units, Ray seeks to require landlords to have their long-term rentals inspected and licensed to ensure they are fit for occupancy. He said public hearings would have to be held prior to such stipulations being enacted.

The proposal includes the need for landlords to register with the Nantucket Health Department and obtain a certificate which will indicate the number of occupants allowed in each unit. The number would be determined after the property is inspected for its size, compliance with two means of egress, an adequate number of working smoke detectors and proper storm windows and screens.

The property owner or his agent will also be required to maintain a record available to the town if requested that lists the names of lessees and dates of occupancy. A registration fee, which Ray said has not been determined but might be $100, would be imposed annually with renewal of the certificate.

The rental permit is subject to revocation or suspension if a landlord is found unfit to hold the license after an inspection and public hearing before the Board of Health. Persons found in violation of the regulations would be subject to a fine not exceeding $200 for each day a violation continues. The penalty schedule calls for a $50 fine or warning for a first offense; a $150 fine for a second offense; and $200 for third and subsequent offenses.

The regulations do not apply to boarding, motel and lodging house license holders permitted under Chapter 140, Section 2 of the general laws.

"This is just a proposal designed to address public health and safety aspects of rental housing on Nantucket," said Ray. "These regulations are subject to change. These are not being voted on. This is a briefing and discussion only."

CHAMBER RECEIVES $377,730 GRANT The Department of Business & Technology (DBT) / Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) has awarded the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce $377,730 in state funds to market the region as a premier destination.

The Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce was part of a statewide funding program to advertise, promote and generate tourism spending in Massachusetts. Tourism is recognized as the Commonwealth's third largest industry generating more than $808 million in state and local taxes and nearly $12.5 billion in travel related expenditures.

We are pleased to continue to support the region's efforts to promote travel and tourism" said Paul J. Sacco, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism. "Tracy Bakalar and the team at the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce submitted a strong marketing proposal which, combined with MOTT's ongoing initiatives, will enable us to continue increasing visitorship to the state while growing the Commonwealths' tourism economy."

COMCAST'S PROVIDES PLUM PROGRAMMING Plum, a network of local channels serving select communities, today announced a partnership with Comcast to air Plum TV programming ON DEMAND via the company's video on demand service in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine.

Comcast Digital Cable customers can watch programming from Plum's Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket television stations in Comcast's "Get Local" destination ON DEMAND. Viewers may also watch events from other Plum markets such as the Aspen Ideas Festival or the Hamptons International Film Festival.

"It is an essential part of our current and future strategy that our viewers can experience our local expertise wherever they are," said Plum CEO Tom Scott. "This is an exciting deal with Comcast. Now, people can take Plum home with them."

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