News in Brief
Published: May 8, 2008
News wanted of active duty Islanders in the military
In honor of Armed Forces Day on May 17, The Times will provide on update on active duty Islanders.
Please email information about military personnel, including name, rank, and branch of service, along with a brief note about where the soldiers are and what they are doing, to Janet Hefler by May 12. Photos will be appreciated.
New parking fines in effect in Tisbury
Tisbury motorists, beware. Police Chief John Cashin said his department is armed with new, more costly parking tickets.
Although new fines approved by the Tisbury selectmen last fall went into effect on May 1, Chief Cashin said they were not being enforced, because he was waiting to receive newly printed ticket books from the Dukes County parking clerk. The books arrived yesterday, ending the brief reprieve for parking scofflaws.
A new $25 parking fine, increased from $15, will apply to parking in a restricted area. The fine for infractions such as parking longer than a posted time limit, too far from the curb, or in the wrong direction is now $20, instead of $10.
Edgartown fire probe moving forward
The Edgartown fire department is still investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed a two-family home on Fourth Street last Thursday morning.
"It's slow, because of the extent of the fire," said fire chief Peter Shemeth. "It makes it that much more difficult. We may never know."
Chief Shemeth said the investigation has not reached the stage where he can determine if there were any violations of housing laws.
According to records from the Dukes County communications center, the response to the fire was not delayed by emergency calls made by mobile phones. The first 9-1-1 call to the communications center was made from a neighbor's land line at 4:52 am. Firefighters were dispatched to the address about 30 seconds later, and the first firefighter arrived at 4:56 am, according to communications center records.
Several phone calls from land lines on the property, and others from mobile phones followed the first 9-1-1 call in quick succession. Though there were language problems in several of those calls, the emergency operator was able to understand there was a fire and determine the location.
Following recent improvements in the 9-1-1 system, most emergency calls from mobile phones are now routed directly to the communications center. Calls from older phones may get routed first to a State Police barracks on the mainland, but are routinely transferred to the communications center in less than one minute.
Car jumps curb, injuring pedestrian
In the photo at left, an Oak Bluffs police officer stands beside a Toyota Matrix that jumped the curb and struck a pedestrian visiting from New York City, in front of Reliable Market on Circuit Avenue, late Friday afternoon.
Ellen N. Kendrick, 89, a seasonal Edgartown resident with a Lake Mary, Florida address, told Oak Bluffs police she thought her car was in reverse when she stepped on the gas. The car lurched forward and struck a woman walking along the sidewalk, pinning her against the wall. Emergency rescue crews responded.
The woman, who police did not identify, was taken to Martha's Vineyard Hospital with leg and abdominal injuries. In an administrative action that could result in retesting and a loss of license to operate a motor vehicle, police notified the Registry of Motor Vehicles
SSA will meet here Tuesday
The Steamship Authority (SSA) will hold its May monthly business meeting Tuesday on the Vineyard. The meeting comes one month after the boatline members hiked rates in order to generate additional revenue to offset unbudgeted increases in the cost of fuel.
Wayne Lamson, SSA general manager, said the Vineyard meeting agenda would be relatively light. It will include an update on the Oak Bluffs terminal reconstruction project. Mr. Lamson said work would be completed by the start of seasonal service.
The SSA is also moving ahead with plans to install information monitors to provide travelers with updates on any delays and cancellations. Mr. Lamson said the video displays would have additional features.
The SSA meeting begins at 10:30 am in the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven and is open to the public.
High School View earns 10 press awards
The High School View, the student newspaper from the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS), won 10 major scholastic journalism awards at the annual New England Scholastic Press Association (NESPA) conference held May 1, at Boston University. The total tied a school record for MVRHS.
The awards included NESPA's "Highest Achievement Award" for excellence in scholastic editing and publishing in Class II, and second-place honors in the prestigious All-New England category.
The High School View is prepared entirely by students at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School and published weekly throughout the school year as a page in The Martha's Vineyard Times, with the support of individual sponsors.
Forty student journalists participated this year in producing the "View," according to English teacher Dan Sharkovitz, the paper's faculty advisor. Seniors Rachel Schubert and Jen Amazeen served as the editors.
NESPA is an association based in Boston University's College of Communication. Its goal is to promote all forms of student journalism. The NESPA program offers awards for excellence in scholastic writing, editing, and publishing, and is open to all New England secondary schools.
Individual award winners were Emily Regan, artwork (Cameras: Prevention or panopticon); Anele Davis, photography (Young women fight in gym); Julia Sadowski, feature story (Jim Novack exits stage left); Eliza Gowell, feature story (A Buddhist, a Muslim and a Catholic walk into a school) and news story (Binding the biggest book); Aleta Dellenbeck, bylined column (On identity); Rachel Schubert, bylined column (Cutting away my magazine soul); and Sophie Lew and Rachel Schubert, feature story (Weighing work and wisdom).
North Road will be closed for paving Tues., Wed.
A portion of North Road in Chilmark will be closed to through traffic on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Chilmark Highway Department.
Paving work will begin at 8 am and continue to 5 pm both days, between the intersection of Tabor House Road and North Road and the Menemsha Crossroad. No through traffic will be allowed, and local traffic will not be allowed to cross freshly paved sections of road.
As a result, some driveways and subdivisions will be obstructed for up to two hours, as the final top coat is laid, according to a notice mailed to town residents. Thursday, there will be intermittent closures for apron and shoulder work.
Controlled burn at Nomans sparks calls to com center
Islanders besieged the county communication center Wednesday afternoon with reports of heavy smoke drifting across the Vineyard on the southwest wind. Officials in Chilmark said the smoke was from a controlled burn being conducted at Nomans Land, the island south and west of the Vineyard. Nomans Land is part of Chilmark. A subcontractor to the Navy is conducting the burn, as part of an environmental cleanup effort.
After 1975, Nomans Land was managed jointly by the Navy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a national wildlife refuge. The island was transferred in full to the Department of the Interior in 1998. Despite the transfer, the Navy is responsible for cleanup. Between World War II and 1975, the Island was used by the Navy as a practice bombing target. The burn was expected to end tomorrow.
Tisbury selectmen approve Lake Street rules
Waterway regulations and traffic dominated the Tisbury selectmen's meeting Tuesday.
At a public hearing held during the meeting, commercial fishermen and members of the Harbor Management Committee (HMC) weighed in on proposed regulations for the Lake Street landing pier on Lake Tashmoo.
Glenn Pachico, a commercial fisherman, questioned what the town of Tisbury offers to commercial fishermen. He said he thought Tisbury residents should get preference, when it comes to parking near the dock and for its use.
Several people objected to a regulation prohibiting refueling at the dock, pointing out that it was safer than carrying fuel in a dinghy out to a moored boat. The selectmen agreed to take up the issue with fire Chief John Schilling and to check with town counsel about possible state laws.
In the meantime, they approved the regulations pending review by town counsel, as well as the proposed fee schedule for moorings. At the HMC's request, the selectmen agreed to postpone discussion on winter stakes.
In other business, residents on Franklin Street presented a petition calling for increased enforcement against speeders. Chief Cashin said he supported the idea and also will make more frequent use of the speed-monitoring trailer on the street as well.
In addition, the selectmen approved adding marked crosswalks at Daggett and Woodlawn streets and will hold a public hearing on the issue in two weeks.
Selectman chairman Denys Wortman announced at the meeting's end that starting on June 4, he will hold "office hours" on the first Wednesday each month from 5-7 pm at the Tisbury Senior Center. He invites constituents to drop by and discuss their issues and ideas.
High school assistant principal interviews set
Seven candidates for assistant principal will undergo daylong interviews at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) on May 13.
The new administrator will assume the job of assistant principal Stephen Nixon, who will step up to the principal's job on July 1. Principal Margaret (Peg) Regan has resigned her position, effective at the end of the school year.
A 12-member assistant principal search committee, which included school administrators and representatives from various high school departments, a student, and the Parent-Teacher Organization chairman, selected seven candidates from 30 that applied for the job.
All of the candidates currently are working as administrators in their respective schools, with five from off-Island and two from Martha's Vineyard Regional High School.
Tuesday will begin with a "meet and greet" breakfast for the candidates in the Culinary Arts dining room from 8-8:30 am. Each will undergo an interview, which includes a writing component, visit classes, eat lunch in the cafeteria with the students, and tour the facility.
Mr. Nixon said parents and community members who would like to meet the candidates are welcome to go to the Culinary Arts dining room where they will be cycling through during the day.
Following the interviews, the search committee will make its recommendation for one or two candidates to superintendent of schools James Weiss, who will make the final decision, Mr. Nixon said.
Medicine Shoppe makes its move
The Medicine Shoppe in Vineyard will close at noon on Saturday, May 17, in order to begin moving to its new location across the street. Owner David Perzanowski said the store will reopen in its brand-new facility at 117 Beach Road on Monday, May 19, at noon.
Chilmark selectmen review town meeting votes
In their first meeting following their annual town meeting and election last week, Chilmark selectmen met Tuesday to review and discuss the results.
Membership of the three-member board was unchanged, because Warren Doty, running unopposed, was reelected. The selectmen elected Frank Fenner chairman and J.B. Riggs Parker vice-chairman.
Selectmen reviewed the adoption of a wireless communication bylaw intended to allow for the creation of a distributed antenna system (DAS). Chilmark is discussing the creation of a regional system with West Tisbury and Aquinnah.
Selectmen agreed on the need to balance the safety and convenience of wireless communications with the town's desire to preserve its rural nature. Selectmen plan to fill a seat on the plan review committee that will be a part of the wireless permitting process.
The selectmen also discussed the town's decision to allow the Coast Guard to replace a radio tower on Peaked Hill with a taller one, as part of a nationwide upgrade of its emergency response system. Mr. Doty, who opposed the plan at first, said that the selectmen were pleased with the way the vote turned out.
Harbormaster Dennis Jason commented on a list of recommendations for changes to Menemsha Harbor regulations. The proposed changes will affect the waiting list, accident reporting requirements, and permits for dinghies at Hariph creek. The selectmen said the proposed rule changes will be considered in the next draft of the town's harbor regulations.
In other business, the selectmen discussed a proposal by the Up-Island Regional School District to conduct a wind energy feasibility study, as a prelude to placing a wind turbine at the West Tisbury School. Mr. Parker agreed to the study but asked that school officials do a cost comparison of what would be saved if the same investment was made to make the school more energy efficient examine other ways to cut energy costs that would not have the impact on the community of a wind turbine.
Alvar "Jim" W. Polk, Jr. dies
Alvar "Jim" Whittington Polk Jr., a long-time summer resident of Harthaven in Oak Bluffs, died on May 5 in Delray Beach, Fla., at the age of 94. A private celebration of his life will be held by his family at a later date. A full obituary will appear in the May 15 issue of The Times.
Corrections
A story published in the May 1 edition of The Times, "Chilmark on board with USCG Rescue 21 antenna," reported incorrectly the number of voters attending the annual town meeting. A total of 113, or 14 percent, of the town's 805 registered voters attended.
An unidentified photo of Grace Church published in the April 24 edition of The Times and headlined, "Blessing of the Animals", was a file photo, not meant to represent the actual location of the event, which was The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury.
A Community Short published May 1, headlined, "Lobster rolls in", listed the wrong price for the lobster rolls. The correct price is $13.
The Upson obituary, published in the March 27 issue of The Times, reported Ms. Upson's name incorrectly. The correct name is Jeraldine J. (Warsyk) Upson.
A story published in the May 1 edition of The Times, "Charter study hearings poorly attended," and an editorial, "An opportunity lost," incorrectly reported that it was Roger Wey who locked the Dukes County Charter Study Commission out of the Oak Bluffs Senior Center on April 24. Mr. Wey was out of the country at the time. A person he asked to open the center was the one who was remiss. The statement in the Editorial, that Tristan Israel drove up as the hearing "was about to be gaveled to order," was also incorrect. Mr. Israel drove up as the locked-out commissioners were gathered on the sidewalk and porch of the Senior Center. Had he joined the commission members, his addition would not have made a quorum.
