Tisbury selectmen set new Park and Ride parking lot permit fees

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The Tisbury selectmen tackled a mix of agenda items in an hour-long meeting Tuesday night.

In a follow-up to previous discussion, town administrator Jay Grande gave the selectmen a proposed fee schedule for Park and Ride parking lot permits and recommended that the current fees be increased by at least 20 percent. The town currently allows non-commercial vehicles to park free for up to seven days at the lot.

The selectmen voted to increase the annual non-resident permit fee from $200 to $350 for 2014, and to replace the spring, fall, and spring seasonal non-resident permits with a single six-month seasonal permit for $200. They also upped the year-round resident annual permit from $25 to $50.

Different restrictions and fees apply to commercial vehicles, based on size. The selectmen agreed to revisit commercial vehicle permit rates after discussion with the Steamship Authority (SSA). The town and SSA have an agreement through which the Vineyard Transit Authority provides shuttle service between the Park and Ride lot and the SSA’s Vineyard Haven terminal.

At building and zoning inspector Ken Barwick’s recommendation, the selectmen approved a request from Grace Church to close five parking spaces in front of the church on Woodlawn Avenue for 12 weeks, effective immediately, and to close Woodlawn Avenue to traffic in the vicinity of the church for one day in early January, while the building undergoes renovation. The selectmen stipulated that the parking spaces must be open again by March 15.

In other business, the selectmen briefly discussed a preliminary draft capital budget plan for next year; reviewed a list of final applications with requests for $1.3 million from the town’s 2013 Community Preservation Act funds; and voted to extend appointments to the town’s parking lot planning and design committee until December 31.

The selectmen also approved seven beer and wine annual renewal license applications, including one for the Mansion House. Manager Nili Goldstein said the Mansion House is currently working out the legalities of transferring its license to J.B. Blau when he opens his new Copper Wok restaurant on the premises. Mr. Blau apologized for the long delay and said he hopes it will be open by the end of the month.

The selectmen made an appeal to all Tisbury voters to attend a special town meeting at 7 pm next Tuesday, December 10, in the Tisbury School gymnasium.