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

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.