This page provides the most recent questions and answers related to the Proposed New Our Island Home project. It is intended to help community members stay informed as discussions and planning continue.

The main section of this page highlights recently asked questions that reflect current topics and community feedback. A more comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions is available in the left-hand navigation and can be expanded for additional background and detailed information about the project.

Most Recent Questions

Below are questions that have been asked recently by community members. This section will be updated as new questions are received and addressed. For additional background and previously answered questions, please refer to the expanded FAQ section in the left-hand navigation.

What is the number of beds filled in last 12 months?
For 2025, the average daily census has been 37 out of 45 beds, representing an average occupancy rate of 82%. Occupancy peaked at 41 beds for two months during this period, driven by an increase in short-term rehabilitation patients. We anticipate higher overall occupancy in the new facility due to several enhancements, including expanded space with all single/private rooms (consistent with modern skilled nursing facility design), individual bathrooms with showers, and significantly increased space for rehabilitation services and leisure/family activities. These amenities, which are currently extremely limited, are expected to make the facility more attractive and desirable to prospective residents

How many residents, presently, are self paying and how many rely on Medicaid?
These figures do fluctuate; however, as of January 2, 2026, the resident mix consisted of 8 private/self-pay residents, 24 Medicaid residents, and 5 Medicare residents. This distribution is generally representative of the typical resident mix throughout the year

Is/has there been correspondence from the Federal government concerning a reduction in medicaid payments to the Home? Do you anticipate a reduction in payments?
To date, there has been no communication from the federal government indicating any potential reduction in Medicaid funding. Historically, across Massachusetts, Medicaid accounts for approximately 70% of all residents’ source of funding in skilled nursing facilities. Medicaid operates as a joint federal–state program, with funding shared on a roughly 50/50 basis. Given Massachusetts’ longstanding policy commitment to social services and healthcare access, we do not anticipate reductions in Medicaid funding at the state level.

Medicaid funding for nursing facilities is provided through reimbursement rates, not direct payments, and the annual rate increases are tied to a federally established cost-of-living adjustment. In recent years, this adjustment has averaged approximately 2.8%.
In addition, in its FY 2026 budget, the Massachusetts Legislature approved an additional $102 million in Medicaid nursing facility funding, further supporting reimbursement levels for skilled nursing facilities.

How can the public review the drawings and major bids for the new facility?
Consigli Construction Co., Inc. was the successful bidder for the 2025 project. Here is a link to Consigli’s now-expired Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), including the major subcontractor categories. The overall figures reflect the totals presented in the 2025 proposal to Town Meeting, without the supporting line-item detail. Here is a link to floor plans and other project information as proposed at the 2025 Annual Town Meeting.

Is the present Home in violation of any State and/or Federal regulations. If so, could you enumerate?
Our Island Home has not been cited for violations of any state or federal regulations. However, as noted in this report, the facility contains a number of physical plant features that do not meet current skilled nursing facility design and building standards.

The primary area of regulatory oversight relevant to these conditions is Life Safety Code compliance, which is administered and enforced through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). DPH and CMS are the regulatory agencies responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal requirements for skilled nursing facilities, including those related to life safety.

Our Island Home is inspected regularly by these agencies to ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable regulations. As an existing facility, OIH is not required to automatically comply with the most current building or life safety codes unless specific regulatory “triggers” occur, such as major renovations, changes in use, or substantial alterations to the building, including:

1. A Renovation, Alteration, or Change of Use Is Proposed - Any permit application to renovate, add or remove structural members, change the use or occupancy type, add square footage or modify life-safety systems. The proposal must meet current code for the affected area, and sometimes additional upgrades beyond the scope are triggered.
2. Unsafe Conditions Are Identified - If something violates code in a way that creates a hazard, the owner must fix it within a specified time frame, sometimes immediate correction is required.
3. Accessibility (ADA) Requirements
4. Fire Code and Life Safety Requirements - Fire codes (IFC/NFPA) are often more retroactive than building codes, including fire alarms, sprinkler systems, egress lighting, emergency signage; especially if the building changes use and/or an inspection reveals non compliant safety conditions.

Upgrades are typically not required when: The building is safe, the use is unchanged, and work being undertaken does not require a permit.

Has a study been conducted to determine whether the existing facility could be modified to address code issues or other deficiencies? If so, can it be shared?
Such studies were completed in 2006, 2015 and 2019.