News Briefs
Time to spring ahead
Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins at 2 am Sunday.
Since 2007, DST has been four weeks longer, due to a provision intended to reduce the nation's use of oil in the Energy Policy Act passed in 2005.
Although it used to start on the first Sunday in April and end on the last Sunday in October, DST now starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.
Hawaii and Arizona, with the exception of the Navajo Nation, do not observe DST.
Green Room burglarized during winter storm
Tisbury police are investigating a burglary at the Green Room, a well-known clothing and sports equipment retailer at 71 Main Street in Vineyard Haven.
The burglary, which happened sometime after the store closed Sunday evening as a winter storm swept across Martha's Vineyard, was discovered early Monday morning. Police said someone broke in through the lower entrance to the store, in the alley between the Green Room and the Bank of Martha's Vineyard. The glass door was shattered, and police say there was evidence that the intruders went into several parts of the store. They observed display cases that were forced open.
Police believe several hundred dollars were taken from the register and a donation box on a counter. Clothes and other merchandise were also taken. Store owners are working with police to provide an inventory of everything that is missing.
Owner Elaine Barse said the store has remained open at its regular hours, with no disruption in business. "I really respect how quickly the staff and the police responded," said Ms. Barse. "You never want this kind of thing to happen, but we're moving forward."
Police ask that anyone who has information about the burglary, or who might have observations that might help lead to suspects, call the department at 508-696-4240.
The 2008 waterfowl stamp.
Mass DFW sponsors art competition for wildlife artists
The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) invites artists to submit entries for three wildlife recreation-related stamps that will be issued in 2010.
Each year, MassWildlife issues an archery stamp, a primitive firearms stamp, and a waterfowl stamp. Income from the sale of these stamps supports wildlife research as well as the acquisition and management of key habitat areas. All three stamps feature artwork selected through competitions open to artists anywhere in the country. There is no cost to submit entries. Rules and regulations for the competitions are posted at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/licensing/stamps/ stamp_info.htm. The deadline for entries to the archery and primitive firearms stamp competition is May 31, 2009; deadline for the waterfowl stamp is June 1, 2009.
Wildlife stamps play an important wildlife management role in Massachusetts, generating about $300,000 annually. The money is used to enhance critical wildlife habitat. All of the stamps are in full-color hard copy and in a black-and-white stamped version for those who opt to purchase their licenses online. Licensed hunters who hunt deer during the archery or primitive firearms season or hunters pursuing migratory birds must have the stamps. Highly collectible for many hunters, these stamps attract other conservationists and stamp collectors.
New tax credits for heat pump system installations
A significant new tax incentive for homeowners who install geothermal and air source heat pump systems in 2009 is now available through the American Recovery and Revitalization Act recently signed into law by President Obama, according to a press release from Nelson Mechanical Design (NMD).
Under the new law, the press release states, up to 30 percent of the total cost of a geothermal system and up to $1,500 of the total cost of an air source heat pump installed in 2009 can be applied as a credit to a homeowner's 2009 taxes.
NMD, a Vineyard-Haven based company that designs and installs all types of geothermal and heat pump systems, asserts that operating costs for heat pump systems range from 30 to 60 percent less than comparable propane and fuel oil heating systems.
For more information, contact NMD at 508-696-3120 or visit their website nmdgreen.com.
Fresh Air fund seeks Island host families
The Martha's Vineyard chapter of the Fresh Air Fund is seeking host families willing to provide an Island experience for a child from the streets of New York City.
Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer vacations in the country to more than 1.7 million New York City children from disadvantaged communities. Each year, according to the nonprofit's website (www.Freshair.org), thousands of children visit volunteer host families in 13 states and Canada through the Friendly Town Program or attend Fresh Air Fund camps.
Cheryll Sashin of Oak Bluffs is enlisting Island families in the effort to provide a break of up to two weeks from the city's heat and often dangerous streets. She said there are no real out of pocket expenses involved in hosting a child - just time.
The children will arrive on Martha's Vineyard by ferry on July 9. Hosts are able to choose between one or two weeks. The departure date is July 16 or July 23.
For more information, contact Cheryll Sashin at 508-693-0542 or sashin@verizon.net.
State's current year budget shortfall could hit $500 million
As House Speaker Robert DeLeo identified a brand new hole in this year's state budget that could hit $500 million, state lawmakers danced around solutions, such as broadbased taxes Tuesday, warned that $9 billion in new federal funds could deepen the state's budget crisis if mismanaged, and fretted over the state's rapidly shrinking savings account and the seemingly bottomless economic freefall.
The potential $500 million hole, on top of $2.5 billion in shortfalls already diagnosed, comes with less than four months left in the fiscal year. Since most state spending has already occurred, Beacon Hill budget analysts say savings from additional cuts are unlikely. That means it is more likely that the Legislature and Gov. Deval Patrick will have to lean on federal funds and the state's rainy day account for quick fixes, a strategy that delays longer-term solutions.
DeLeo said he was worried by Governor Patrick's plan to draw the state's rainy day savings account under $900 million by the end of fiscal 2010. "That is a very, very scary proposal," DeLeo said.
Center for Vineyard nonprofits opens next week
Representatives of Martha's Vineyard nonprofit organizations will no longer have to travel to Boston to gain free access to grant resource databases. Next Thursday is the scheduled opening of the Grant Resource Network - Martha's Vineyard (GRN-MV).
A collaboration of Associated Grant Makers of Massachusetts (AGM), the Oak Bluffs Public Library and the Martha's Vineyard Donor Collaborative, GRN-MV located in the Oak Bluffs Library will provide local nonprofits with access to data and assistance by appointment.
To help people get started, on Tuesday GRN-MV will hold a day-long grant writing and research workshop. The program will include sessions on grant research and writing and computer database research, according to a press release.
The cost of the workshop is $25. To register or for more information, go to mvdonors.org or call 508-645-3690. Space is limited.
Five vie for two selectman seats in Oak Bluffs
A lively race is shaping up for two open seats on the Oak Bluffs board of selectmen. The terms of incumbents Greg Coogan and Roger Wey will end this spring. While Mr. Coogan, a Tisbury School teacher, will seek re-election, while long-time selectman Roger Wey will not.
"I think it's time to pass the baton," said Mr. Wey, who was first elected in 1988. "I've been there 21 years. There're a lot of people who care about the town. It's time."
In addition to Mr. Coogan, four other candidates returned nomination papers by the February 26 deadline. Challengers for the two seats include Gail Barmakian, an attorney who currently sits on the zoning board of appeals; Kathleen Burton, a real estate professional and political newcomer; Herbert Combra, a former selectman and past highway superintendent who ran unsuccessfully for an open seat in 2006; and David Wessling, formerly a traffic planner for the Martha's Vineyard Commission (MVC).
Three candidates returned nomination papers to fill an open school committee seat: Melanie Marchand, an Oak Bluffs School parent; Melanie Bilodeau, who currently sits on the board of assessors; and Bill McGrath, a teacher at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School.
The position of town moderator will be contested this year. Incumbent Dave Richardson will square off against Jack Law, current chairman of the board of assessors.
Oak Bluffs voters go to the polls on Thursday, April 16. The polls will be open from 10 am to 7 pm at the Oak Bluffs Library Meeting Room. Residents can register to vote until 8 pm on March 25 at Town Hall.
Edgartown elections feature incumbents
In Edgartown, there are no contested races for selectman or school committee. Art Smadbeck seeks re-election to a three-year term on the board of selectmen. Incumbent school committee member Les Baynes also seeks re-election without opposition.
There are three open seats on the financial advisory committee, but only two candidates, Morton Feary and Thomas Durawa, both incumbents, will be on the ballot.
No one returned nomination papers for an open five-year term on the planning board.
The only contested race will be for a three-year term on the Water Commission. Bill Erickson and Peter McGuire will compete for that position.
Edgartown voters will go to the polls on Thursday, April 16, at the selectmen's meeting room in Town Hall, from 10 am to 7 pm.
The last day to register for town elections is March 25, when Town Hall will remain open until 8 pm.
Wortman withdraws from Tisbury selectman's race
Tisbury selectman Denys Wortman withdrew his nomination papers on Monday, ending his bid for election to a second three-year term in April.
Mr. Wortman said in a phone call Monday evening he made his decision after learning that Geoghan Coogan, a Tisbury attorney, has taken out papers out to run.
"I called him up and said, seeing as you want it, I'm going to pull my papers and support you," Mr. Wortman said. "When you get a good person, and especially someone that can serve the town for maybe many years to come, you want to encourage that."
Mr. Wortman announced his decision and announced his support for Mr. Coogan at the Tisbury selectmen's meeting Tuesday. His term ends April 28.
Mr. Coogan's father, Edmond Coogan, was a well-respected Vineyard Haven attorney who served as a Tisbury selectman until his death in 2001. His uncle Greg Coogan currently serves as an Oak Bluffs selectman, and his sister Nell Coogan, also an attorney, is Martha's Vineyard's legislative liaison for state Representative Tim Madden.
Treasurer says big gas tax hike not necessary
State House News Service
Taking issue with an independent commission's two-year-old assertion that the state's transportation infrastructure needs a $15 billion to $19 billion infusion to maintain its assets over the next 20 years, Massachusetts Treasurer Tim Cahill said Gov. Deval Patrick's proposal to hike the gas tax by 19 cents, and a business-backed proposal to raise it 25 cents "isn't necessary to solve some of our problems." Cahill said a "six or seven" cent gas tax hike could erase the portion of Big Dig debt that is behind a $100 million toll hike that's received conditional approval. "My opinion is [the gas tax hike] should be tied in with the taking down of the tolls," he said. "If that means [the size of the hike] comes up a little bit more, then so be it. But I don't feel we should do both." Cahill said the $15 billion to $19 billion deficit, outlined by the Transportation Finance Commission, would essentially be cut in half over the next five to eight years by capital investments and incoming federal stimulus dollars. But the head of the TFC, Stephen Silveira, says that Cahill is confused. "There is zero chance that the deficit has been cut in half," he said. Silveira said that borrowing to pay for infrastructure repairs may offset long-term maintenance costs, but does not put any new revenue on the table. Cahill, he said, is "confusing spending with the deficit. The $15 to $19 billion isn't the amount of money we need over the next 20 years. It's the delta between revenue and expenses." Silveira said the transportation system most likely needs $80 billion in total revenue over the next 20 years and that the $15 billion to $19 billion figure represents the likely shortage. Silveira and other commission members have warned that the deficit has likely grown since the report was released in 2007. In addition, he said, the stimulus funding will help but would only solve about 5 percent of the problem, about $500 million. "I don't want to be cavalier about $500 million," he said, adding, however, that in the context of a near $20 billion deficit, "It's almost irrelevant."
Corrections
A Business Brief published in the February 26 issue of The Martha's Vineyard Times provided an incorrect telephone number for equine structural integration specialist Phoenix Russell. The correct number is 508-564-3180.
The photo at top left on Page 29 of the February 19 Times shows the new Prek Koy School in Cambodia.
Business Briefs
Edgartown Bank names senior vice president
Richard J. Labrecque has been named a senior vice president of Edgartown National Bank. Fielding Moore, Edgartown National Bank president and chief executive officer, announced the appointment.
"The addition of the senior vice president title reflects Mr. Labrecque's accomplishments in the commercial lending area, with new and existing customers, resulting in strong business banking relationships," said Mr. Moore, in prepared remarks. Mr. Labrecque has 25 years of community banking experience, according to a press release.
"Community banking is a vital part of our Island economy. We've been around for more than 100 years doing what we do best, helping our friends and neighbors," said Mr. Labrecque. For more information, call 508-627-1100.
Whippoorwill Farm CSA creates new shares
Whippoorwill Farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has announced fees for reserving a share of farm produce during the 2009 growing season.
The farm will offer full and small shares, as well as new ten- and five-week short-term shares for seasonal residents, in order to accommodate many different sizes of families and budgets according to a press release. Share prices range from $145 for a five-week small share to $790 for a 24-week full share.
For more information about shares and the farm program, go to whippoorwillfarmcsa.com or call 508-693-5995.
