Vineyarders Support New Legislative Commission To Review Steamship Authority

To the editor: Recently, at public meetings in Nantucket and on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro presented his office's December 18, 2025 report ("The Steamship Authority's Website Development Project; Poor Planning and Lax Oversight Wastes Millions" regarding the "cascade of failures" that led to the Steamship Authority's failed website project. The report outlined the lack of planning and management by the SSA leadership and the extensive lack of oversight by the SSA Board and Port Council members. IG Shapiro reviewed how the website project was misguided, mismanaged and wasted close to $4.2 million in public funds.

Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Thomas Moakley hosted the meetings and were joined by the new SSA General Manager Alex Kryska. Mr. Kryska was there to respond to the report, talk about how the SSA will address the findings and recommendations, and answer questions from the public. He stated he understands that SSA leadership also needs to take a "hard look" at spending on capital projects including the recent purchase of the three freight ferries and the Woods Hole terminal building.

One of the most important recommendations from the Office of the Inspector General was that a legislative commission be formed. This commission would examine and clarify the relationship between the Board, the Port Council and SSA management. In addition, members of the commission would review the Enabling Act to clarify and articulate the fiduciary obligations of the Steamship Authority and the necessary oversight needed by the Board. IG Shapiro recommends that the commission examine whether to increase the number of members on the Board to include specific subject matter experts (i.e., accounting, maritime, strategic planning, environmental experts, etc.)

We strongly support the formation of a legislative commission to further examine the recommendations for meaningful change at the Steamship Authority. Having a new General Manager at the helm is a hopeful start to ensure more transparency to the public and successful financial oversight of capital projects. However, a comprehensive approach to real reform would include a legislative commission to take a deep look at the inadequacies in the 60 year old Enabling Act. Needs have changed significantly since and the island populations have grown ten-fold. We urge Senator Cyr and Representative Moakley to conduct working sessions with their constituents to exchange ideas for moving this forward.

Steamship Authority Citizens' Action Group Steering Committee
Amy Cody
Margaret Hannemann
Alysha Norbury
Beth O'Connor
Nathaniel Trumbull