News Briefs
Multi-state investigation by DEA reaches Edgartown
Agents from the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and members of Island Drug Task force last week searched two Edgartown houses and seized drugs in connection with a far-reaching investigation focused on an Edgartown man now living near Albany, N.Y.
The main defendant in the case is Sean Herrmann, 31, of East Greenbush, N.Y., according to DEA special agent Erin Mulvey. On Wednesday, February 18, in New York, police arrested Mr. Herrmann on federal drug possession and distribution charges. Agent Mulvey said the arrest was part of an investigation involving multiple state and federal agencies.
State Police Sgt. Jeff Stone, who leads the Martha's Vineyard drug task force, said in June of 2008, DEA agents in New York began an investigation into the drug activities of Mr. Herrmann. Their work led to 10 search warrants, which were executed on February 18 and 19 in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
Mr. Herrmann is the son of Edward and Elizabeth Herrmann. Ms. Herrmann is the elected Register of Probate in Dukes County. Agent Mulvey said that neither Edward nor Elizabeth Herrmann is a target of the investigation.
On Thursday, February 19, a police task force that included DEA agents searched the Herrmann house, located at 10 Teaberry Lane and the home of Jonas Cavallo at 21 Donaldbin Close Road. Ms. Mulvey said the houses were searched because Mr. Herrmann traveled frequently to his parents' house and because Mr. Cavallo is a close associate of the family.
Sergeant Stone said Mr. Cavallo was at home when police arrived at the house. Police seized approximately eight pounds of marijuana and a 2003 Toyota pickup truck.
At Teaberry Lane, Sergeant Stone said police seized approximately 1,000 Percocets, eight ounces of marijuana, a handgun, and $6,000 cash found on David Herrmann, the brother of Sean Hermann, along with a 2007 Toyota pickup truck registered to David Herrmann
On the same day, police in Falmouth searched the home of Adam Fender and seized approximately eight pounds of marijuana and approximately $16,000 in cash.
In Framingham, police arrested Andrew M. Nourse, 28, on a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Mr. Nourse is also from Edgartown.
Police made no arrests in connection with the searches in Edgartown or Falmouth, but further action is anticipated.
"This is an ongoing investigation," said Sergeant Stone. "There is more to follow."
Attempts late yesterday to reach Mr. Cavallo and the Herrmanns were unavailing.
Martha's Vineyard Regional High School invites businesses to student job fair
An annual student job fair on March 20 at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) offers local businesses the opportunity to get a jump on spring and summer staffing.
About 400 students looking for summer jobs are expected to attend the fair in the school library, ready to interview with applications in hand.
Interested employers should contact Martha's Vineyard Regional High School career and work-study coordinator Sherri Church at 508-693-1033, ext. 223, by March 6 to reserve table space. Registration is free, plus a complimentary breakfast will be served to employers before the fair opens.
The job fair is not open to the general public.
Cape Light Compact seeks smart energy applicants
Cape Light Compact is launching a new Smart Energy Monitoring Pilot Project that uses new technology from GroundedPower, Inc. to track home energy use, helping consumers lower costs, combat global warming and promote national energy security, according to a press release.
The Cape Light Compact, which purchases electricity and provides energy efficiency programs for residents and businesses of Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard, is seeking 100 volunteer homeowners to participate in what it describes as a landmark energy efficiency pilot program. The project involves the installation of whole-house wireless monitors, an optional appliance monitor, and a wireless base station that will upload real-time data to web-enabled software that provides the homeowner with detailed information on how much energy is being used, when it is being used, how much it costs, and actions that could reduce energy consumption and promote savings.
The pilot project will look at how and to what extent consumers respond to real-time information about electricity consumption and demand and how their energy savings actions are affected by being part of a community network.
Cape Light Compact is seeking participants for the pilot, 75 from Cape Cod and 25 from Martha's Vineyard. Residents who would like to participate can sign up for consideration by completing an application available at capelightcompact.org or by calling 1-800-797-6699.
SJC upholds Aquinnah, Martha's Vineyard Commission in long-running subdivision challenge
Massachusetts highest court Friday reaffirmed an appeals court decision issued two years ago in favor of the town of Aquinnah and the Martha's Vineyard Commission in a case brought by representatives of two real estate trusts.
The case known as "Kitras versus zoning administrator of Aquinnah" is the latest defeat for James Decoulos and his wife, Maria Kitras, of Belmont in their long-running legal battle to develop land-locked property in Aquinnah.
The couple wants to develop two separate parcels of land in Aquinnah. The largest parcel is off Moshup Trail.
The case began with the plaintiffs filing separate complaints in Land Court and Superior Court in summer, 2002. In January 2002 the Land Court action was transferred to Superior Court.
The issues throughout the case involved a narrow concept of law called constructive approval, the question of whether the plaintiffs could benefit from a specific time exemption pertaining to changes made in zoning and board of health regulations and the broader restrictions imposed when the Martha's Vineyard Commission declared the entire town a district of critical planning concern (DCPC).
"First, its always great to win a case in front of the state Supreme Judicial Court," said attorney Ronald Rappaport, counsel for the town of Aquinnah, when asked to comment. "But the significance of this case is two-fold."
Mr. Rappaport said the decision means that the plaintiffs are subject to all the zoning and board of health laws of the towns and Martha's Vineyard Commission regulations. "And second, it upholds the unique aspects of the Martha's Vineyard Commission and the broad powers of the commission to enact town-wide regulations."
Despite last week's ruling, a lawsuit involving development of other properties is still pending in Land Court.
Severe norovirus, easily spread, on the rise
Gastrointestinal illness, likely caused by norovirus infections, is occurring in Massachusetts, state officials said Monday afternoon. The state Department of Public Health reported it has seen a "significant number" of outbreaks this winter.
Noroviruses are particularly strong viruses that cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in those who get infected. Noroviruses are easily spread through food, by person-to-person contact, or through contact with contaminated surfaces like countertops or doorknobs, according to the department.
Illnesses related to norovirus infection have an incubation period of 12 to 48 hours. Because the norovirus is spread easily, health officials are encouraging frequent hand washing and environmental cleaning. State officials say 66 norovirus-like outbreaks have been reported to the DPH through Feb. 19, up from 28 at the same time last year but down from the 81 reported in 2007. Most of the illnesses reported have been detected in long-term care and rehab facilities, food handling facilities and hospitals.
The Martha's Vineyard Hospital experienced a norovirus outbreak during the December holiday period. The hospital imposed strict quarantine and preventive measures to contain the outbreak.
Not guilty pleas in alleged heroin dealing
Kaleb C. Garde, Rosaline J. Gaspar, and Garrett J. Gibson entered pleas of not guilty yesterday in Edgartown Superior Court in response to drug trafficking charges outlined in a grand jury indictment. A fourth co-defendant in the case, Alexander Carlson, is to be arraigned on April 6.
Mr. Garde and Ms. Gaspar face 12 separate criminal charges each, including heroin trafficking, dealing drugs in a school zone, and conspiracy to violate drug laws. Mr. Gibson faces six charges, including heroin trafficking, dealing drugs in a school zone, and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
If convicted on the heroin trafficking charge, the defendants face a mandatory minimum 10-year jail sentence.
Attorney Richard Piazza, representing Ms. Gaspar, argued for a reduction in bail. Ms. Gaspar posted $15,000 cash bail after her arrest and arraignment in Edgartown District Court last November. Superior Court Associate Justice Cornelius J. Moriarty 2nd denied that request, citing the mandatory minimum sentence as an inducement to flee. He transferred the bail to Superior Court, in the same amount.
Attorney Drew Segadelli, who represents Mr. Gibson, also argued for reduced bail, but Judge Moriarty also denied that request and transferred bail to Superior Court, in the amount of $15,000.
Mr. Garde's bail, $20,000, was also transferred to Superior Court.
The grand jury indictment, returned on January 27, elevates the case to Superior Court, where the defendants can be sentenced to state prison if convicted.
All of the co-defendants were arrested after the Martha's Vineyard Drug Task Force executed a search warrant on the Garde family home in Vineyard Haven. Police say they seized more than 130 grams of heroin and more than $40,000 in cash during the raid.
Up-Island firefighters tame wind-whipped brush fire
Aquinnah fire chief Walter Delaney said a brush fire that broke out Friday night along Moshup Trail might have spread with disastrous results had it not been for a stone wall that helped slow its progress and the combined efforts of up-Island volunteer firefighters who put the blaze out.
The fire began just east of the Philbin Beach parking lot and was reported at 10:05 pm, Mr. Delaney said. The wind was strong with gusts up to 44 miles per hour out of the west, northwest.
Mr. Delaney said that when he arrived on Moshup Trail, it appeared as if the flames were about to reach the Carlin house, one of only two houses, including the so-called painted house, located on the south side of the road. "The only thing that saved it," said Mr. Delaney, "was 50 to 60 feet of nice green grass and a stone wall."
Aquinnah firefighters, along with crews and pumper trucks carrying much needed water from West Tisbury and Chilmark, responded. Down-Island crews mobilized to cover the responding towns, in the absence of their firefighters.
During the battle a firefighter, Charlie Thomas, suffered a heart attack. "That was the scary part," said Mr. Delaney.
Due to flying conditions, a Coast Guard helicopter responded and transported Mr. Thomas to a Boston hospital, accompanied by two Island medics. Mr. Delaney said yesterday that at last report, Mr. Thomas was recovering and was expected to arrive back on Martha's Vineyard today.
Mr. Delaney said he is very grateful for the cooperation and quick response of all the Martha's Vineyard firefighters and the Coast Guard aircrew. Flames were leaping 20 feet in the air, and the blaze might well have traveled the entire length of the water side of Moshup Trail and even crossed the road but for the efforts of all involved, the Aquinnah chief said. "I cannot praise them enough; the cooperation was just unbelievable," he said.
UPS Stores offer free faxing for job-seekers
UPS Store locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire are providing free fax services to assist job searches for the unemployed, from March 2009 until the economic outlook is more positive.
The UPS Store at 455 State Rd., Woodland Center, in Tisbury is participating in the program and will provide free domestic fax services, according to store owner Mike Boylan.
In order to receive free faxing, all a person has to do is bring in his or her resume and the fax number for the prospective employer. The UPS Store is trusting that people who request the free services will be honest regarding their unemployment status.
Martha's Vineyard Museum economizes
In a move that Martha's Vineyard Museum executive director Keith Gorman described as budgetary, the museum has laid off its assistant librarian, Linda Wilson. Mr. Gorman stressed that the Gale Huntington Research Library, located on the museum's Edgartown campus, remains open, as it has been since January, by appointment only. The library is an important source of primary documents for researchers, and every effort will be made to accommodate them, he said.
Mr. Gorman told The Martha's Vineyard Times in a telephone interview that the library's collection and services will be maintained by him, other members of the staff, and specially trained volunteers. Mr. Gorman was first hired by the museum as an archivist, and he confessed that he is enjoying returning to the library two afternoons a week to help students and other researchers.
The library collection includes approximately 5,000 books, whaling logbooks, rare postcards, census records, Island newspapers, town and state records, and maritime business records and account books.
Making the extensive collection of documents available to the public is part of the museum's primary mission. The museum's long-term goal is to employ a full-time archivist and librarian. However, Mr. Gorman could not say when the museum would be able to hire such a person.
Daybreak receives high grades
Martha's Vineyard Community Services Daybreak Clubhouse received high marks the International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD) as part of a review that ended with a three-year accreditation.
ICCD is an international organization that promotes and supports "clubhouse" communities where people living with mental illness can find support. Clubhouses worldwide provide rehabilitative and vocational program for adults with mental illness as they pursue recovery through community and work.
ICCD representatives visited the Clubhouse for three days in September to determine if Daybreak was devoted to the complex work-oriented and community-minded program of Clubhouses worldwide. The evaluators gave Daybreak one of the highest grades they had ever given to a clubhouse, according to a press release.
The accreditation provides confirmation that Daybreak has become an integral and essential part of the community and is an invaluable support to its members, according to Community Services.
The Clubhouse offers work as a means of combating and neutralizing serious biological brain diseases. Members come to the Clubhouse to work. "Recovery is by doing," said Carolyn Eddy, director.
The Clubhouse offers an employment program to aid members in regaining independent and productive lives. The Clubhouse provides "transitional employment" positions. These jobs belong to the Clubhouse, last six to nine months, and provide prevailing wages. At the end of the time period the job goes to a new member.
State House News Service
Turnpike board okays big toll hikes, sparks furor
The turnpike board voted 4-1 Tuesday to approve toll hikes, which board members said would be reversed if Beacon Hill can agree on a gas tax increase and transportation reforms. The package calls for a two-tiered toll increase, the first stage taking effect March 29, the second slated for July 1. Under the first stage, cash tolls at the Allston-Brighton and Weston tolls would hit $1.50, up a quarter, and the tunnel tolls would climb to $5.50, up from $3.50. On July 1, unless the policies are repealed, tolls would hit $2 at the booths and $7 at the two tunnels.
Lawmakers said the toll increase hampers the odds of Governor Patrick's transportation reform plan, as yet unfiled.
The toll hikes were approved despite strong opposition to the increases at a series of public hearings. While critics of the toll increases say the government is foisting unaffordable new costs on drivers, supporters say the new toll revenues are necessary to pay turnpike bills, including debt service tied to the Big Dig project. Governor Patrick on Friday outlined planned legislation that features a 19-cent-per-gallon gas increase coupled with efficiency-minded operational changes throughout the transportation bureaucracy. Legislative leaders on Friday gave Mr. Patrick's ideas a relatively warm welcome, but on Monday night the chairmen of the legislature's Transportation Committee questioned support for the gas tax hike amongst lawmakers.
Governor Patrick "will veto" gas tax bill that's not "adequate," bereft of reforms
Gov. Deval Patrick would veto legislation that does not contain adequate reform or raise the gas tax enough to allow fiscal sustainability, he said Wednesday. Governor Patrick ruled out the prospect of Bay State motorists paying higher gas taxes and the toll hikes decreed by the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Tuesday. "There is no way - let me be unambiguous - there is no way that the citizens of Massachusetts are going to pay or I'm going to permit both a toll increase and a gas tax increase," Mr. Patrick told reporters Wednesday morning. "They are alternatives. But we've got a deadline over at the Turnpike." Mr. Patrick said any legislation needs to contain both a sizable fuel levy increase and a series of reforms he says will result in long-term savings. "I'm not going to sign a gas tax that comes out of the legislature that is not adequate to meet our needs and does not have the significant series of reforms that we've proposed... I will veto that bill," the governor said.
State may hire 60 more to handle jobless calls
The state received approval Tuesday night to hire 60 more employees to handle unemployment assistance inquiries, a state official told lawmakers Wednesday morning. Michael Taylor, director of the state Department of Workforce Development, said the new hires are needed due to the "serious nature of the economic crisis." The hires would triple the workforce handling inquiries from the jobless, which had already been doubled, Mr. Taylor said, noting there are 250,000 individuals collecting unemployment checks now in Massachusetts, up from 100,000 a year ago. Mr. Taylor disclosed the hiring approval after members of a legislative committee said they'd been hearing from newly unemployed constituents about long waits and an inability to make headway in receiving jobless assistance.
Business Briefs
Phoenix Russell receives new certification
Phoenix H. Russell, an equine structural integration specialist, recently graduated from the advanced training course offered by the Equine Natural Movement School in Battle Ground, Wash. According to a press release, Ms. Russell has added flower essence and natural vibrations magnetic therapy to her Structural Integration practice. For more information, call 508-564-3080.
R.J. Connelly receives certification in elder law
R.J. Connelly III, the principal attorney of Connelly Law Offices of Pawtucket, R.I. and a summer resident of Oak Bluffs, has earned a certification in elder law from the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF).
The certification identifies those lawyers who possess the enhanced knowledge, skills, experience and proficiency to be designated certified elder law attorneys, according to a press release.
Sharky's Cantina adds Buzztime
Sharky's Cantina, the popular Mexican restaurant with locations in Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, has added Buzztime, an interactive live trivia game, at both locations, according to a press release.
Buzztime is available on a total of seven TVs. A remote controller allows patrons to join in at any time from the table or bar. Hundreds of trivia games are available. Trivia buffs can go to the next level and register at buzztime.com and keep track of their results against patrons from bars and restaurants all across the country. For more information, go to sharkyscantina.com.
Corrections
Oops. Due to a production error last week, The Martha's Vineyard Times printed an additional page 17 in place of page 25, which contained the jump for the front-page story "Vineyard docu-soap planned," and a collection of legal advertisements. The full story is available on mvtimes.com and it also appears in today's paper, with a side-bar.
A reference to West Tisbury town clerk Prudy Whiting (Feb. 19, "West Tisbury may appoint town clerk") incorrectly reported she has served five three-year terms. Ms. Whiting has served for 12 one-year terms and will not seek a 13th.
A story published in the Feb. 19 issue of The Martha's Vineyard Times, "Black History Month brings Vineyard past to life", incorrectly identified Robert Hayden's great-grandfather, Robert Carter, as his grandfather.
