News Briefs
Tisbury elects new selectman
Tuesday's warm, summer-like weather inspired 585 Tisbury voters to turn out at the polls, about 20.6 percent of the town's 2,837 registered voters.
In a one-man contest, Tisbury voters elected Geoghan Coogan to a three-year term as selectman. Mr. Coogan, who faced no opposition, was the top vote getter with 497 votes.
In one of several contests, Roland Miller (359 votes), who blanketed the town with signs, defeated incumbent Ralph Packer (191 votes) for a three-year term as water commissioner.
In four-way race for three seats on the board of library trustees, incumbent Nan Carter (398 votes), Jo B. Weinberg (307 votes), and Pamela Street (320 votes) topped the ballot. Anna Marie D'Addarie received 224 votes.
The three-way race for two three-year terms on the public works commission proved not to be a successful foray back to electoral politics for former selectman Tom Pachico. Incumbents Arthur Dickson (358 votes) and John Thayer (427 votes) retained their seats. Mr. Pachico received 211 votes.
In a tight three-way race for a two-year term on the public works commission, Leo P. DeSorcy (198) beat Timothy Stobie (182 votes) and Nancy Hall (167 votes).
Voters approved all but one of nine ballot questions. Question six, a request for an additional $1,566,000 in taxes to fund post-employment benefits, received 187 yes votes and 328 no votes.
With no names on the official ballot, Robert Aldrin won a five-year term on the planning board with 18 write-in votes, and Denys Wortman stepped off the board of selectmen and onto the finance committee with six write-in votes.
Oak Bluffs selectmen change guard
Oak Bluffs selectmen welcomed newly elected member Kathy Burton to the board on Tuesday and installed newly re-elected member Greg Coogan as chairman.
"Anything that any member of the board can do to help your transition into the seat of power, don't hesitate to ask," outgoing chairman Ron DiOrio told Ms. Burton with a smile. With a nod toward Mr. Coogan, he added, "It's customary for the outgoing chairman to hold the gavel until the end of the meeting, but if at any time you think I'm doing a bad job, just send over a nudge."
The selectmen heard a presentation from Cassandra Boyd of Bailey Boyd Associates. She outlined a plan to use $30,000 in residual federal community development block grant funds to send Island kids to summer camps. The board unanimously endorsed the plan, requesting that the program be open Island-wide and that the most needy families get first preference for the scholarships.
"We are seeing an unprecedented number of requests for scholarships," said Susan Bellincampi, who oversees summer programs at the Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary. "We're seeing an unprecedented drop in scholarship donations."
Selectmen also discussed disposition of three buildable lots, taken by the town for non-payment of taxes.
The total assessed value of the lots is $748,000. They would generate approximately $4,600 in tax revenue for the town if sold.
Mr. Dutton recommended that the town sell two of the lots, and keep the other for affordable housing. Selectmen will continue their discussion at the next meeting.
In other business, the board granted business licenses to The Lazy Frog, a gift shop moving from Edgartown to Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs, and to the Noble Islander, a new business selling vintage clothing and antiques, also on Circuit Avenue.
Also granted were seasonal all-alcohol liquor licenses to Leslie Graham, who will operate a restaurant and bar called Shipwreck, in the harborfront building occupied last summer by the Sugar Shack.
The board also approved a new liquor license for Jimmy Cipolla, owner of Jimmy Seas restaurant, but not before selectmen Kerry Scott and Mr. Coogan chastised him for repeatedly filing renewal applications late.
The board also approved an entertainment license for the Mediterranean Restaurant.
New sign missing at Lambert's Cove Inn
A new sign for the Lambert's Cove Inn and Restaurant was discovered missing on Sunday morning, as well as the street sign for Manaquayak Road in West Tisbury.
Inn and restaurant owners Scott Jones and Kell Hicklin had only recently hung up the new sign on a post at the Manaquayak Road entrance on Easter Sunday, April 12, to replace a previous custom-made sign stolen on February 8.
The carved wooden sign that vanished in February replaced one knocked down by a motorist only six months before than.
The latest replacement, made of plastic with vinyl lettering, included a small detachable sign underneath that read, "Open for dinner." Although less expensive than the first two, nonetheless it cost about $2,000, Mr. Jones said.
"We also lose business on top of the cost of replacing the sign," he pointed out. "We probably get three to five people a day who stop in because they see the sign."
Without knowing if or when the sign will be recovered, Mr. Jones said he has no choice but to order a new one right away.
The theft occurred sometime between 4 pm Saturday and early Sunday morning, when a neighbor noticed the sign was missing and called the inn. Although the post is cemented to the ground, eyehooks that held the sign to the post were cut.
"Whoever took it definitely used a tool, either a bolt cutter or a hacksaw," said West Tisbury Police Sgt. Daniel Rossi, who is investigating the recent incident. Having investigated the February sign theft as well, Sergeant Rossi said he again talked to nearby neighbors and searched the entire area, with no result. It is unclear yet whether the two incidents are related, he added.
"We're offering a $200 reward - no questions asked - for any information that leads up to an arrest," Mr. Jones said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the West Tisbury Police at 508-693-0020.
Teens vandalize Tisbury businesses, cars
Tisbury police officers arrested Henry T. Parent, 17, and Reese Boyd, 17, both of Edgartown, at about 7 am Sunday. The pair were charged with defacement of property, breaking and entering a vehicle to commit a misdemeanor, and stealing from a vehicle. The events that gave rise to the charges were reported at about 3 am that morning.
Officers Jason Marathas and Dustin Shaw discovered glass and debris in front of the Jenni Bick Company on State Road at about 3 am on April 26, and observed the two teens walking near the area, according to their police report.
On further investigation police found more evidence of vandalism along State Road and Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road. Police officers stopped and questioned Mr. Parent and Mr. Boyd and subsequently arrested them.
According to the police report, Mr. Boyd and Mr. Parent broke into the back of a Stop and Shop trailer truck and stole two large cans of tomato sauce, which they threw on several parked cars on Union Street and at display windows at nearby businesses.
The police officers observed further damage to lighting, shrubbery, and flower boxes at several businesses on Main Street and State Road. Several mailboxes at homes on Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road also were damaged.
Mr. Parent and Mr. Boyd were arraigned Monday on charges alleging one count of breaking and entering, a misdemeanor, and larceny from a truck, and seven other separate cases alleging one count each of defacing property.
"I would like to commend my officers for really doing a superb job, in paying attention to their patrol duties and piecing together the occurrences, recognizing that the suspects were indeed the people responsible, following up very appropriately and making a very, very good arrest," Tisbury Police Chief John Cashin said yesterday.
Mr. Parent's bail was set at $750 and a pretrial hearing will take place May 22. He also is due back in court that day to face charges in connection with an Edgartown housebreak.
Mr. Boyd's bail was set at $250. His pretrial hearing will also be on May 22.
Right Fork Diner denied alcohol license
Edgartown selectmen on Monday voted not to approve a liquor license for the Right Fork Diner, after the business failed to get necessary fire safety inspections required by state law.
Following the 2003 Station Nightclub fire in Rhode Island that left 100 people dead, legislators strengthened fire safety regulations. Among the requirements for any establishment serving alcohol is an annual inspection by the local building inspector and fire department, to insure adequate compliance with regulations covering exits, lighting, alarms, and other fire safety systems.
Town officials say despite repeated attempts, the diner owners have not responded to requests to arrange the inspection. The deadline for the inspections was March 31. Without a certificate of compliance, selectmen could not approve the seasonal alcohol license.
All other Edgartown establishments that hold alcohol licenses have been inspected and approved.
Aquinnah assessor maps on-line
The Aquinnah assessors have announced that town assessors' maps are now available online. Interactive features allow users to search for specific parcels, find all lots on a particular road, and find all abutters to a specific lot.
Attached to the maps are the "field cards," for each parcel, which include detailed information about the assessed value of land and buildings, as well as construction detail, floor plans, and photographs of the property.
Town officials encourage residents to try out the map web site at www.smsgis.com and let them know what you think.
The mapping service is provided by Sustainable Map Solutions. "They've given us a six month subscription," said principal assessor Angela Cywinski. "If they really like this, the town would consider paying the monthly fee. We've gone full digital on our maps. This is the first time we've been on line. Little Aquinnah was so behind the times, now we're ahead of everybody." Feedback should be e-mailed to aqassess@comcast.net.
Bringing the electric cooperative to light
Cape Light Compact (CLC) administrator Maggie Downey will provide a presentation and answer questions about the recently formed Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative (CVEC), for the Dukes Country commissioners and the public on May 6 at 5 pm at the Chilmark Library.
An electric cooperative will enable municipal entities such as Martha's Vineyard's six towns to own electricity-producing systems and sell the energy directly to CLC at wholesale cost.
Island House and Yard changes names
On Friday, Island House and Yard will change its name to Fullers. Other than the name change, Fullers landscaping will continue with business as usual, according to a press release.
Jesse and Luciana Fuller started the company in 1997 as a small lawn mowing and house cleaning company. The company has expanded over the years to include landscape construction and residential/commercial cleaning.
For more information call 508-696-8866 or email info@fullerslandscaping.com .
Vineyard Gardens lecture series resumes
Vineyard Gardens on State Road in West Tisbury has resumed its popular Saturday lecture series on a variety of gardening-related topics. Speakers include horticultural experts and Chuck and Christine Wiley, Vineyard Gardens co-owners.
Upcoming topics include edible gardens from a design standpoint with Avril Espy, Vineyard Gardens garden crew foreman, and low maintenance gardens with Ms. Wiley on May 9.
On Memorial Day weekend Kathy James of Vineyard Gardens will present a lecture on container gardens, one of last year's most popular subjects. Horticultural experts will be available to help design and plant containers. For more information call 508-693-8511 or stop by Vineyard Gardens.
Anne Mayhew of Sandpiper Rentals is e-Pro
Anne Mayhew of Sandpiper Rentals, Inc. has completed the REALTOR e-PROÒ certification course, an educational program specifically designed to provide real estate professionals with the technology tools needed to assist consumers in the rental, purchase, or sale of a home.
The course is presented entirely online and certifies real estate agents and brokers as Internet professionals. For more information, e-mail Anne@SandpiperRental.com or call 508-627-6070, ext. 27.
Edgartown pool builder wins design award
Edgartown pool builder, Island Pools & Spas, won first place for a water feature entered in a swimming pool and spa design and construction competition hosted by the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals New England Chapter. Owner Ted Rosbeck received second place in the category of water features for a 67-foot long, multi-level water feature installed in Vineyard Haven. Images of all winning entries are available at www.apspregion9.org.
