Nantucket Planning Commission Authorizes Population Study Contract, Opens Two TIP Review Periods

NANTUCKET — April 27, 2026 — Nantucket planning commission votes to study seasonal population and redirect federal transit funds. The Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission voted unanimously at its April 27 remote meeting to authorize a $45,205 contract with the UMass Donahue Institute for a seasonal population study designed to capture not just year-round residents but seasonal visitors and day-trippers, subject to Select Board approval. The commission also opened two 21-day public review periods — both running May 7 through May 28 — covering a $420,925 flex of federal highway funds to the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority for bus tracking equipment, staff housing, stop lighting, and shop equipment, as well as the draft FY 2027-2031 Transportation Improvement Program, which includes a $7.5 million Milestone Rotary reconstruction slated for 2031. MassDOT's Derek Schuster, attending remotely, warned that the highway funds are "basically use-or-lose" and cannot be carried forward past the September 30 federal deadline absent an eligible highway project.