Planning commission approves Amendment No. 1 to FFY 2025–29 TIP, correcting van funding

The Nantucket Planning Commission voted to close the public review period and endorse Amendment No. 1 to the federal/state FFY 2025–29 Transportation Improvement Program at its March 21 meeting.

The amendment deletes funding for fare-collection equipment and propane fueling, adds funding for three electric buses, three replacement vans and five low-emission hybrid-diesel buses, and programs matching funds in fiscal years 2025–27 for those purchases. Transportation Program Manager Mike Burns said the amendment corrects an earlier data-entry error in the MassDOT system that showed $70,000 as the new total for three replacement vans; the correct figure is $252,800 for the three vans.

Burns told commissioners the public review opened Feb. 24 and the commission had extended the review to the March 21 meeting. Communications staff reported 25 public engagements and no objections to the proposed changes. Burns recommended the commission formally adopt Amendment No. 1 with the corrected vehicle total so the updated figures are transmitted to MassDOT and the regional partners.

Commissioners moved and seconded the motion to both close the public review period and endorse Amendment No. 1. The motion carried on a roll-call vote. The commission recorded affirmative votes from Commission members Wendy, John, Abby, Bert Johnson, Matt, Mike Burns, Brooke, Christina, Joe and the chair.

If approved by the state and federal partners, the changes will update the TIP’s programmed projects and funding tables; Burns said the shift to electric and low-emission vehicles includes corresponding local match requirements programmed across FY25–27.

The commission did not refer the amendment to the local capital program committee because Burns said TIP items are processed through state and federal aid channels rather than local capital budgeting.

The commission chair closed the item and invited Burns to proceed to the next agenda item.