West Tisbury: What to do with old police station?

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It has been sunny and beautiful all week. A bit chilly with the wind, but nice. Energizing to be outside. A good thing, as outside chores abound. Mike and I were talking over breakfast Sunday morning about all the trim needing painting, seedlings to get into the ground, unplanted shrubs wintered over from last year that need to be planted. That’s not even thinking of new projects. We spent most of the rest of the day working around the property, a nice day together, and came inside tired but having accomplished at least some of our list.

Earlier on there was radio check for Mike, then I met him across the street at the station to visit with friends and watch the kids chase Easter eggs in the field behind the firehouse. It is always a nice event presided over by the biggest Easter bunny I have ever seen. Everyone went home with plenty of treats and toys to show for their efforts.

Then we took the dogs down for a walk on the beach to look at the newly-cut opening into the Great Pond. The last opening, only a few weeks ago, filled in almost immediately and had to be cut again. We saw jellyfish washed up all along the pond’s shore. The highlight for me was watching an egret in the inland pond and an osprey soaring overhead.

The Mill Pond has been stocked with trout and it’s been nice to see kids and grown-ups fishing there.

Sue Silk sent me an email about the old police station building, now empty and needing a new function. Sue is a member of the committee charged with gathering information to be presented to the selectmen for their decision. Bea Phear is chairperson and Scott Young is the remaining member. They held their first meeting with the abutters last week and came up with two possibilities, but want to open the process to all town residents. The building is structurally sound. It does have some limitations: it’s in the Historic District and the Village Residential District, has limited septic capability with the tank on abutting property with an easement, and limited parking. The building had been West Tisbury’s original one-room schoolhouse, then became town hall. Everyone has seen Stan Murphy’s iconic portrait of selectmen Everett Whiting, John Alley, and Allen Look standing on the stone steps leading into the then West Tisbury town office. So please give this some thought and share your ideas with Bea, Sue, or Scott, or leave them on the town website by May 15. The committee meets next at town hall on May 23 at 4 o’clock. Please come and participate.

The two possibilities discussed were returning the building to its original educational use with a program focusing on teaching children about our natural environment, or offering it at minimal rent to Island nonprofits needing office space. The idea is that several nonprofits could share the building. The committee requests that people express an opinion on these two possibilities, as well as making proposals of their own.

The Martha’s Vineyard Center For Living is hosting an impressive list of speakers at an Alzheimer’s Forum and panel discussion this Friday, April 25, 9:30 am to 12 noon, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center. Headline speaker is Dr. John Zeisel, author of “I’m Still Here,” and founder/director of Hearthstone residential facilities for Alzheimer’s care. He and Suzanne Faith, Clinical Director of Hope Dementia and Alzheimer’s Services of Cape Cod, the second featured speaker, have been my go-to experts for support and information as I learn about Alzheimer’s. Rounding out the program are two Island experts, Nancy Langman, formerly of Island Counseling and a Hospice Bereavement Counselor, and Eileen Murphy, Supportive Day Program Supervisor. It promises to be an informative and inspiring morning, and a good place to network. The program is free and all are welcome. Please pre-register at 508-939-9440.

There will be a teen/tween craft program in the young adult room at the West Tisbury Library this Saturday, April 26, from 11 am to 3 pm. All are invited to make tissue paper flowers, a good way to celebrate spring.

The Chilmark Women’s Symposium will meet Saturday morning at the Chilmark Community Center for their annual spring program. The subject is “Dreams.” There will be speakers, small discussion groups, and refreshments. The event is free, but donations are always welcome. Call Bonnie George for more information at 508-645-3214.

Jennifer Fragosa will be teaching a class for American Red Cross Life Saving Certification at the Mansion House pool beginning May 1. The class is approximately 31 hours and students must be 15 years old or older. Cost is $350. Call to register, 508-693-2200. Or look online at infor@mansionhouse.com.

West Tisbury resident Glenn DeBlase and Chilmarker Tim Carroll have completed Boat Crew qualifications with the USCG Auxiliary. Their group is part of the Woods Hole flotilla, training with both Menemsha and Woods Hole active duty Coast Guard stations. The course focuses on boating safety education and issuing decals for boats that have their full complement of safety equipment on board. The auxiliary also conducts safety patrols during the boating season and renders aid to boaters in distress, augments active duty Coast Guard members by providing radio watch standers, cooks, and other resources. Congratulations to you both.

Got West Tisbury news? Contact Hermine Hull here.