Proposed New Our Island Home
Post 2025 Annual Town Meeting & Election
Construction of a new Our Island Home skilled nursing facility was endorsed by voters at Nantucket’s Annual Town Election on May 21, 2025 but failed to receive the required two-thirds vote for approval at the May 3rd Annual Town Meeting, jeopardizing the project as currently proposed. The Town and its consultants will now consider alternative options for Our Island Home, some new and some previously evaluated, with the goal of presenting a more affordable and acceptable project.
The project returns to Town Meeting
At its December 10, 2025 weekly meeting, the Select Board voted unanimously to include the Our Island Home proposal on the May 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant. The project voted by Select Board is for all intents and purposes the same design as brought to the 2025 Annual Town Meeting.
Design Progress
Throughout the design process, several aspects of the project were thoughtfully refined. Amenities include a covered drop-off area, outdoor resident spaces developed, two dens and a private dining room. Interior touches to the porches that access to the courtyards are in concept stage as is the landscaping design for the courtyards.
Environmental/sustainability decisions were made with goals to dramatically reduce energy consumption, reduce carbon emissions, and provide superior indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and acoustics. If a decision is taken to alter the design, Town staff and SMRT will work together to analyze various sustainability initiatives and in each case consider aspects like: balancing initial cost with payoff, maintenance and repair costs on the island, cost of operating, lifespan, etc.
Steering & Advisory Committees
In 2022, the Town Manager established two groups to assist with the planning and development of the proposed Our Island Home project.
The Steering Committee, which now meets on a regular basis, is charged with analysing alternatives for a new OIH The Steering Committee members are:
- Select Board member Dawn E. Hill
- Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson
- Deputy Town Manager Rick Sears
- Finance Committee member Peter Schaeffer
- Our Island Home Operations Administrator Michelle Munroe
- Finance Director Brian Turbitt
- Our Island Home Operations Consultant Robert Eisenstein (representing Eisenstein Flaherty Associates)
- Architect Craig Piper (SMRT)
- Owner’s Project Manager Jon Lemieux (Vertex)
- Construction Manager at Risk (Jack Dankert, representing Consigli Construction)
The Advisory Committee will meet as necessary. Participants include:
- Friends of Our Island Home members Kathy Grieder and Alison Forsgren
- Sherburne Commons Director Rachel Mandle
- Nantucket Cottage Hospital President Amy Lee
- Sherburne Commons Residents Representative Ann Oliver
- Local Citizen Alan Atwood
- Council on Aging member Mary Ann Easley
Additional Resources
- To view public presentations and important documents, visit this page.
Opportunities to Engage
Your Voice on the Future of Our Island Home
Our Island Home (OIH) is Nantucket’s publicly operated skilled nursing facility. Recently, the Town proposed building a new facility at Sherburne Commons. While voters approved the project at the 2025 Annual Town Election, it did not receive the two-thirds majority required at Annual Town Meeting, leaving the project on hold. Now we’d like your input: What should happen next?
In this survey, you’ll be asked to consider three main options for the future of OIH:
- Relocating to Sherburne Commons: A modern facility on a new site. This is the most developed plan to date, with design, permitting, and pricing largely complete.
- Rebuilding or renovating at the current site: This would require relocating residents, many in fragile health, for the duration of the project. The site’s size, proximity to the ocean, and comparable cost to relocation make this option not recommended by the project team.
- Taking no action: This could result in the eventual closure of the facility by the state. The Town would then need to develop a plan to relocate the current residents.
Your feedback will help Town leaders and the Select Board decide the best path forward.
Stay Informed
Get notified on upcoming engagements and the latest project related news.
TIMELINE
Design phase completed
State Department of Public Health Determination of Need application begins
Project goes out to bid
Project Updates
Important Dates
Nantucket Select Board
Presentation to review the status of design for the Proposed New Our Island Home. Watch it on YouTube.
Nantucket Select Board
Presentation by SMRT on the New Our Island Home Skilled Nursing Facility. Watch it on YouTube.
Nantucket Select Board
Review of Our Island Home presentation. Watch it on YouTube.
Nantucket Select Board
Presentation by SMRT on the New Our Island Home Skilled Nursing Facility. Watch it on YouTube.
Info Session on the Proposed New Our Island Home
Town public meeting to present the vision for the new Our Island Home facility and to gather community input on the future of elder care on Nantucket. A recording of the presentation session is available online. Watch on YouTube.
Nantucket Select Board
Comprehensive presentation by SMRT and Town employees on the Proposed New Our Island Home project. Watch on YouTube.
Friends of Our Island Home Public Forum at the Dreamland Theatre - Panel Discussion
Nantucket Select Board
- Review of Your Voice on the Future of Our Island Home survey.
- Board discussion on next steps ahead of the 2026 Annual Town Meeting. Watch the meeting here.
Nantucket Select Board
The Select Board voted unanimously to include the Our Island Home proposal on the May 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant.