Commission approves transit TIP adjustment and closes public review on FFY 2026–2030 draft

The Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission approved an adjustment to the current FY2025–2029 Transportation Improvement Program on Tuesday that moves several transit funds from 2026 into 2025 to support vehicle replacements and operational assistance, and added the purchase of two Type E vehicles for roughly $225,000.

Staff described the action as a TIP adjustment, not an amendment, because the bus replacement values were under the $500,000 threshold that would require a formal amendment. “This adjustment just includes 3 items, and includes moving funding from 2026 to 2025 for a bus replacement, and some additional funding for operational assistance and adding the purchase of 2, type e vehicles, for a little over $225,000,” a staff presenter said. The motion to approve the adjustment was made by Nunn and seconded by Abby; a roll-call vote approved it.

Gary Roberts (online) and another transit staffer, who explained funding mechanics, told the commission the $1,800,000 increase moved into 2025 is federal operating assistance rolled into the TIP to allow grants to be filed. “So, basically, the 1,800,000.0 and the change from '26 to '25 is the federal operating assistance. So the 1,800,000.0 is is 53 11 funding. For them to put their grant into the federal government for the rollover of unused funding, as well as the 30 foot bus replacement cost. They they need to put the funding back into '25 to for them to enable their grants,” the staff member said.

Separately, staff presented the draft FFY 2026–2030 TIP that is in public review. The draft currently programs no highway projects for 2026–2030 but includes three conceptual Milestone Road projects — a Milestone Rotary, the intersection at Milestone Road and Nobadeer Farm Road, and a widening of Milestone Road from the rotary to New South Road — plus transit items including vehicle replacements, workforce housing for NRTA employees, and a new NRTA maintenance facility proposed for 2027.

Staff said the commission may be asked in the future to flex unused highway funds to transit if local needs warrant. The public-review period for the draft FFY 2026–2030 TIP opened April 30 and was scheduled to run through Friday, May 23; staff reported 29 participants in outreach and no submitted objections or comments. The commission voted to close the public review and approve the draft effective May 23, 2025, if no objections were submitted to staff by that date.

Commissioners asked about opportunities for public input and review during design. Staff said initial renderings and traffic analysis from the design consultant (named in the meeting as Buster O'Neil working through MassDOT) will be provided at a future meeting, and that more formal public hearings would occur later in the design process. A staff member said environmental/historic review steps will occur before 75% design.