The Contract Review Committee met Jan. 10 in a hybrid session to interview applicants for Human Health and Human Services and Substance Misuse grants and to discuss next steps in solicitation, reporting and a pending needs assessment.

The committee opened with roll-call approval of the agenda and earlier minutes before beginning applicant interviews. Chair Veronica Bolchuk noted interviews were voluntary for applicants but encouraged as an opportunity for discussion.

Presentations: PRISM, Nantucket STAR, Dreamland, Fairwinds, Memory Café (Nantucket Community School / Sherburne Commons), and NAMI provided overviews of program goals, budgets and anticipated community impact. Common committee requests included clearer per‑participant cost metrics, written confirmations of revised request amounts (Dreamland), priority lists of critical items if full funding is not available (Fairwinds), and more detailed reporting on clients served and sessions (NAMI). Several applicants cited partnership support (community sailing, wheelers, schools) and ongoing fundraising plans.

Process and next steps: Committee staff updated members on the Human Health & Human Services study by Raftelis and announced a separate needs‑assessment procurement. Staff recommended a March joint review with CHS (Community Health Services) to translate the Raftelis draft into recommendations and then finalizing standardized quarterly reporting forms for grantees. The procurement for the needs assessment will go to bid; staff expect an August/September start to collect data for future funding cycles.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of Jan. 10 agenda: motion moved and seconded; roll-call vote recorded as unanimous (Aye: Sue Menthinan; John Beloche; Linda Williams; Veronica Bolchuk). Outcome: approved.
- Approval of minutes (Dec. 20, 2024 and Feb. 6, 2024): motion moved and seconded; roll-call vote recorded as unanimous (Aye: Sue Menthinan; John Beloche; Linda Williams; Veronica Bolchuk). Outcome: approved.
- Motion to adjourn: moved and seconded; roll-call vote recorded as unanimous (Aye: Sue Menthinan; John Beloche; Linda Williams; Veronica Bolchuk). Outcome: approved.

Committee members emphasized the improved quality of applications this cycle and noted that tighter application and reporting standards have reduced the need for follow-up questioning. Members asked staff to circulate the consolidated question list used in interviews to committee members and to request written budget revisions and priority lists from applicants where noted. Deliberations and final award recommendations are scheduled for the committee’s next meetings later in January and the following weeks; staff plan to present award recommendations to Finance thereafter.