[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6244903,"mediaKeyId","3228382-fb593b7b70210f78585bb9e8a4226da7","parentId",3228382,"title","Select Board says island home will not close imminently; town to compile meeting follow-ups and legal items","audioSeconds",196,"startMs",2917000,"endMs",3113000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228382-fb593b7b70210f78585bb9e8a4226da7&start=2917&end=3113","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228382-fb593b7b70210f78585bb9e8a4226da7/thumbnail_2917000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6244903/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-says-island-home-will-not-close-imminently-town-to-compile-meeting-follow-ups-and-legal-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244903-a5f10d08f128afa92f34cb57e237c37e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775444340&Signature=PA1CfKiaomy9lhgkrp5az87v8suyUJXhT-h1Upt0xZ7BL-sgHxeIGXducZ~Cdz771A-mVsC7xg9hRQj7C4aE0uwY2H7bxb8jZUjtxb4QdpHXBT~KxE3NUx~hQPownopxq1uG6WjUPluD5dMcrxg5KPC0vWf7eXtgpOMzFaBYK4-jN~pQVnknF9UUUu8cIKYhAt3c7d2BUzigYc2x8R5pnPgDb68GbfLIS7pCjB-Q2e3XjDF5KQrbNOvvezBgvjEBJswB7GmWVaFgwZWCYJl~kDMxkOOOMnpaPh0tJg2lKkYQGhZ1LAPUSEDpl0HLWVxOjLiStJlNrgjyjyHpsb4sNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town-County of Nantucket, MA","date","2025-05-08T10:55:59.78Z","article","The Select Board discussed administrative follow-up after the annual Town Meeting and said the Island Home long-term future remains under review but will not close immediately, the board said on May 7.

Town Manager Libby and staff said bylaw amendments and zoning changes approved at Town Meeting will be compiled with the town clerk and submitted for attorney general review; Home Rule petitions will be prepared and forwarded to state legislators for filing. The town manager said some Mass. General Law acceptances were approved and will be incorporated into the town code as needed.

On the Island Home specifically, staff told the board there is no imminent closure; officials said closing such a facility would be a lengthy process. They also said messaging for employees, residents and families is being prepared and that any future closure would involve public discussion and transparency. The town manager said bids for a new facility have a limited hold window and noted a hypothetical scenario where a strong ballot vote could complicate scheduling of a subsequent Town Meeting because bid validity depends on contractor agreement to hold prices.

During public comment, Amy Eldridge, speaking as a member of the public, said she supports a new Island Home facility but reported concerns about administrative oversight and a specific incident on the night her grandmother died that she said was handled insensitively; Eldridge said she had met previously with the town administrator and requested further administrative attention to the facility.

Ending: Town staff will compile a follow-up chart of Town Meeting actions and a more detailed timeline for departments; they said any long-term changes at the Island Home will be handled as a process with stakeholder engagement and notice.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Nantucket Select Board - May 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Town officials told the Select Board that the Island Home facility will not close immediately and that bylaw/zoning changes, Home Rule petitions and Town Meeting follow-up items will be compiled and forwarded for attorney general or legislative review as required.","taxTitle","Nantucket County, Massachusetts","taxId",61456,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244908,"NRTA advisory board approves FY26 draft budget and administrator contract",686,873000,1559000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228382-fb593b7b70210f78585bb9e8a4226da7&start=873&end=1559","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228382-fb593b7b70210f78585bb9e8a4226da7/thumbnail_873000.jpg","/articles/6244908/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/NRTA-advisory-board-approves-FY26-draft-budget-and-administrator-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244908-9f852bd62954341574de0dc6e9d8c99c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775444340&Signature=eae11A64iPgGOXCxHmj0-JiCrqxhsCeEqoiB51ix0CkxtVkRjqVyheVR8NijTtrtmSMf9yYf76f3B3IP706Ntkab65NH910ZHMIwePExQmciqdb1KYKi90Vy7Fm7LsccSQ4~Qq8pSPOLagBB8rPMIzHlr8zh0DA5vcSTmepqsjgJT-1RZfMhJ~wTsnwbNk~Dtu1hFdO~-n5rsZxv1DF4I8gbiiag8XL9oUNFVULBPr4c3Gf9s4YBaIXnJpZg9H0JtuD4KGlO4r1Znzx438N12K0LQ4qreKoFUwm~UqF~fc5UuRMZECxOal-zxhzKDLgqinV6kUa019mFfSNt3pdV9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nantucket Regional Transit Authority advisory board voted to approve the FY26 draft budget and separately approved an employment contract for Administrator Gary Roberts during its May 7 meeting.

Roberts presented a draft FY26 budget that projects a nearly $6,000,000 total budget and noted the authority is drawing down federal ARPA funds to cover operating increases. He said payroll costs have risen with the creation of a CFO position and other staffing additions; the authority is balancing increased costs with anticipated state fare-free funding and connectivity grant allocations.

Roberts said fair-free funding is currently authorized through Dec. 31 of this year and that continued funding is pending the state budget; he described a governor's proposal and a Senate alternative with larger statewide allocations. He also said the authority split expected grant revenue across two fiscal years in budget planning.

The board moved and seconded approval (voice votes recorded as \"Aye\"), and the chair announced the budget items and the administrator contract were approved. On the contract, Roberts and select board staff worked with town administration and the human resources department to align the NRTA employment contract with applicable rules; Roberts noted the authority operates under Mass. Gen. Laws c. 161B.

Ending: The board approved the FY26 draft budget and the administrator's employment contract; staff said adjustments will be made as state budget actions and grant awards are finalized.","The NRTA advisory board approved a FY26 draft budget and unanimously approved an employment contract for the NRTA administrator; the authority plans to rely on state fare-free funding and ARPA federal funds to balance the budget.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244913,"NRTA plans bus stop moves at Jetty's Beach and Orange Street; hospital stop pending approval",180,642000,822000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228382-fb593b7b70210f78585bb9e8a4226da7&start=642&end=822","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228382-fb593b7b70210f78585bb9e8a4226da7/thumbnail_642000.jpg","/articles/6244913/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/NRTA-plans-bus-stop-moves-at-Jettys-Beach-and-Orange-Street-hospital-stop-pending-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244913-a49c342bfb9d1e40db28dcaf956ab4ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1775444340&Signature=X5dYSkPP3CPkAWDwBiNz--gwOK~qI7Su0aF0JRhT96fJ4WRiydGN~Ufp7xxuVNUwo-R4VaxZ~FJdAc5-esr~q8JKn4Qyxg0UPZoXk5YGhHVON0tCawwKfnLytcKVg-J8nganrAY2~9bKvSxFkRXa4LWaPAzOc973Prx8dy3GW8anEEexvfM~G8sclP36aCqW3vroBztUTgCaBhJzgOqLz3YIAkFetw9~o9wRsusPv9gpOGJyzx7E1yYwa52JEBbdWB0YXySsApTOsyX98Nsbg5sh9ZnK6PpgOnrMh4YmTUlwMYLJUVox5paBeA9etb1JnfPhsnwOh-4GS5WiGle8Dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gary Roberts, administrator of the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority, told the advisory board on May 7 that the authority will move a congested stop at Jetty's Beach to a location adjacent to the tennis courts to improve safety and reduce pedestrian/vehicle conflicts.

Roberts said the relocated stop will be a short walk from the beach and will use the parking-lot loop to allow buses to enter and exit more safely; the board was asked if there were objections and none were raised during the report.

Roberts also described moving a stop on Orange Street (across from Landmark) back a short distance to Dave Street, where a bench already exists and the site is flatter and more convenient for passengers; he estimated the relocation would be about 100 feet.

Separately, the authority is exploring a minor route deviation for the Mid Island and Miakuma routes to enter Nantucket Cottage Hospital property to place a stop closer to the facility. Roberts said the hospital must grant approval for the transit authority to use its property and estimated the deviation would add roughly two minutes to service schedules; the authority said current stops would not be missed by the change.

Ending: Roberts said the moves aim to improve passenger safety and convenience and staff will advertise changes and post notifications once scheduling and approvals are finalized.","NRTA proposes relocating a Jetty's Beach stop near the tennis courts and shifting an Orange Street stop to Dave Street; the authority is also pursuing approval to deviate Mid Island and Miakuma routes into Nantucket Cottage Hospital pending hospital permission.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244917,"NRTA reports 73% ridership jump since fare-free launch; on-demand pilot to run for off-season trips",689,530000,1219000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228382-fb593b7b70210f78585bb9e8a4226da7&start=530&end=1219","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228382-fb593b7b70210f78585bb9e8a4226da7/thumbnail_530000.jpg","/articles/6244917/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/NRTA-reports-73-ridership-jump-since-fare-free-launch-on-demand-pilot-to-run-for-off-season-trips","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244917-f36df60509a14ca003d89dd0c83a60ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1775444340&Signature=QdW5UXG1-8mQUg8k7HEv7J~aQLVubsQeAIDEEqNhakVGXiIutr9mQjA3rhJwdYcekLc~mUK7F2HDSksEDDHfcmYRr4x4UuQ4Hy9TwJca~mSdDPwCEQjSaWwwd4bdGqWcC7EV2oSS~jWLORkAsjnyNG5iwgzFwA5wK5RqJdDnt9VYr7wGh6vsibhQQ1jIluDkHG-qZI~NkAbJPv4bNCzhZY6azOFdeoHScEl-1cMMHNFXktIVkFUYQnpfSe04g1O3vk3gdrzEdIL6jymSHv3BbeMz049eHh8qo11F0QWkRHGybQiZM7GXTO2c2iboyzLJMyFZrBJi5tJkLKv4qYcOog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gary Roberts, administrator of the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority, told the advisory board that since the NRTA went fare-free in April 2024 ridership has increased about 73 percent, rising from roughly 190,000 passengers in the previous fiscal year to about 328,000 year-to-date; the authority projects at least 420,000 riders by fiscal year-end.

Roberts said the fare-free policy is funded through Dec. 31 of the current year and that continued funding is under consideration at the state level. He said the governor's budget proposed $30 million statewide for RTAs while the Senate showed a larger figure; allocations to individual RTAs remain subject to the state budget process.

On demand: Roberts said the authority received a community transit grant to pilot an on-demand, zone-based service for low-demand winter areas using five Ford E‑Transit vans and a software platform. He described the service as online-booked, zone-limited and open to all riders; the pilot is intended to serve areas where running fixed-route buses in winter is inefficient.

Fare policy and cost: Roberts clarified that statewide fare-free funding covers fixed-route services but not the on-demand pilot. He said the pilot will charge a nominal fee, projecting about $4 per ride. During questions, a board member asked whether the on-demand service undercuts local taxi drivers; Roberts replied the service is a taxpayer-funded public transportation benefit funded by grants and that it is less expensive than taxis.

Ending: Roberts and board members framed the pilot as a way to provide mobility in low-demand periods while preserving fixed-route coverage during peak months; the board did not take a separate vote on the on-demand pilot at the meeting.","NRTA says ridership rose 73% since going fare-free, from 190,000 to 328,000 year-to-date, and is launching an on‑demand pilot using electric vans with a nominal $4 fare outside the statewide fare-free program.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244922,"NRTA adds electric buses, seeks $9 million in grants to replace aging fleet",163,223000,386000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228382-fb593b7b70210f78585bb9e8a4226da7&start=223&end=386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228382-fb593b7b70210f78585bb9e8a4226da7/thumbnail_223000.jpg","/articles/6244922/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/NRTA-adds-electric-buses-seeks-9-million-in-grants-to-replace-aging-fleet","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244922-0b60c0572d688705faf51546ee4db1aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775444340&Signature=YaYHqX6uSXgFCAz3uosIq~1I5NxKh86Ysulc4J3LIlGUWpE6wJMldq62ZkfEVpkivc85zBu1rPTHhbYcdwnZD9FNHsy1slm1-A~iOR~JwQRB7HDPlQCeJik9~Wlyh6WN8G~XVN3j1x2eB0f-rdulDkymZS79N-2At6Fs2rrjM5J~k1EcxRkLSWu64UMtkeWDVuGqTql1lUvHTuYUbjA9IwgF5jbf0muWiBBhyyXcMYdbgtr-gab-AkWYeNcB2MsdPApH-wn-dvT50xmyLUdzc7w24JdObqrixbOUek2HvMvuuy-Da~gcw74YxNId2aTg3sCMtLTTYtchsuKt4D4rGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gary Roberts, administrator of the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority, told the NRTA Advisory Board on May 7 that three battery-electric buses have arrived on-island and are undergoing post-delivery inspection and outfitting.

Roberts said the authority has added five Ford E-Transit vans and one electric support car, and that three additional gasoline-powered buses are expected by June. He said the authority has engineered plans to install approximately 10 vehicle chargers at the maintenance facility and will begin that work soon.

The authority reported $2,927,000 in MassDOT capital funding for the current year, covering purchases, infrastructure work, preventative maintenance and workforce housing. Roberts also said the NRTA has two grants for battery-electric and hybrid buses totaling about $9,000,000; staff are preparing requests for proposals to begin procurement. He estimated vehicle procurement typically takes at least a year from order to delivery and noted the RFP process could take a couple of months to complete.

Roberts said many of the authority's diesel buses exceed their typical seven-year service life, with some vehicles 12–14 years old, which contributed to a decision to lease 20-passenger cutaway vehicles for the upcoming summer season so older diesels can be retired from service sooner.

The advisory board did not take a separate formal vote on the fleet items during the report; Roberts asked for comment and reported progress on engineering and implementation timelines.

Ending: Roberts said the authority will continue engineering work for chargers and finalize RFPs for the grant-funded buses, and that leased vehicles should arrive within one to two weeks to cover seasonal service until new buses are delivered.","The Nantucket Regional Transit Authority reported delivery of electric buses, plans for chargers and infrastructure upgrades and is preparing RFPs tied to roughly $9 million in state grant awards to replace remaining diesel vehicles.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Select Board says island home will not close imminently; town to compile meeting follow-ups and legal items

NRTA advisory board approves FY26 draft budget and administrator contract

NRTA plans bus stop moves at Jetty's Beach and Orange Street; hospital stop pending approval

NRTA reports 73% ridership jump since fare-free launch; on-demand pilot to run for off-season trips

NRTA adds electric buses, seeks $9 million in grants to replace aging fleet