News Briefs
Edgartown frustrated with unemployment rules
Edgartown selectmen agreed at their Monday meeting to seek more money to fund unemployment benefits for three town workers who left the town workforce, heard a proposal to utilize the town's old elementary school, and approved another plan to move and preserve an old schoolhouse on Chappaquiddick.
The board will meet with the finance advisory committee to request an additional $31,000 over the $10,000 budgeted for unemployment compensation.
Town administrator Pam Dolby said three people left the town's employ last year, all for job performance related issues. She said she had pursued every possible legal appeal, but could not prevail before state regulators. She was unable to provide more detailed information on individual cases because of privacy issues.
The selectmen also expressed support for a proposal to rehabilitate the old elementary school. The proposal, a detailed 15-page document submitted jointly by the Martha's Vineyard Center for the Arts, and the Office of the Superintendent of schools, envisions a 3,000-square-foot theater in the old cafeteria area of the school. The group proposed a "permanent home for theater, dance, film, and education, while creating a year-round draw to the businesses and historic sites of downtown Edgartown."
The superintendent of schools would use some of the old classrooms as office space.
In other action, the board approved a plan to move a private guesthouse on the former Haywood property off Jeffrey's Lane on Chappaquiddick, which was recently acquired by the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank. The guest house was once the Chappaquiddick Elementary School, and has not been significantly changed over the years.
The Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust plans to move the old schoolhouse along the roads to the Marshall Farm property it owns opposite the Chappy Community Center. The trust plans to restore the building, reincorporating some of the original school desks, and open the property for education and agricultural use.
Will she or won't she? Clinton rumors fly
The Boston Globe continues to generate Vineyard gossip that finds its way into newspapers and television broadcasts around the country. On May 1, the Globe reported in its Names section that Chelsea Clinton will marry boyfriend Marc Mezvinsky in August at the home of Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen in Chilmark.
The story, "Vineyard wedding bells for Chelsea Clinton," said "buzz is building" about the upcoming wedding and cited sources on Martha's Vineyard.
Only her hairdresser may know for sure, but a spokesman for Ms. Clinton's dad said, "Absolutely not true."
Matthew McKenna, a spokesman for frequent Vineyard visitor and former president Bill Clinton said, "Chelsea is not getting married on the Vineyard or anywhere else this summer."
Globe gossip columnists have been busy mining Vineyard "sources." On April 6, the Globe gossip columnist reported that President Barack Obama and family will visit the Vineyard in August.
The White House denied that rumor. A spokesman said that the president has no plans to vacation on Martha's Vineyard in August, or indeed, to vacation anywhere else.
Vermont group wants new club at Outerland
A Vermont nightclub has asked permission from the Martha's Vineyard Airport Commission to expand its operation to the Outerland property this summer.
Known as Nectars, the company operates a nightclub in Burlington, Vermont, and intends to use the same brand name if it is able to lease the nightclub once known as the Hot Tin Roof.
The Outerland property has been for sale since last fall, when owners Barry and Mona Rosenthal said they would no longer operate the well-known venue.
The Vermont group said it would run the business much as the Outerland ownership did, mostly as a summer concert venue with light pub food.
The group hopes to get all permits in place by late spring and operate until November 30.
Airport commissioners will consider the proposal at a meeting on Friday.
Photo by Steve Myrick
Fish bring out the fishermen, blues arrive
Julian Pepper (left) and Tony Jackson of Edgartown leaned over Big Bridge late Monday afternoon as striped bass swam in the channel that connects Nantucket Sound to Sengekontacket Pond. They were among several fishermen attracted to the popular fishing spot on the Edgartown-Oak Bluffs town line.
Paul Schultz, the Trustees of Reservation beach ranger and a well-known fisherman, told The Martha's Vineyard Times that Sue Geresy of Edgartown caught a 31-inch bluefish at 3 pm yesterday at Wasque Rip, the first reported blue of the season.
The long-awaited arrival of bass, bluefish and fine weather signal a welcome Vineyard seasonal transition.
That includes The Martha's Vineyard Times fishing column "Gone Fishin'" and weekly tide chart. Both will appear in the news section next week.
SSA numbers remain slack
The Steamship Authority (SSA) members met at the Katharine Cornell Theater in Vineyard Haven before a sparse crowd Tuesday morning. No Vineyard elected officials attended.
SSA members approved a change in the New England Fast Ferry license agreement to allow the company to operate fewer summer trips and renewed an agreement to subsidize Tisbury's park and ride shuttle service. They also heard a management analysis of the boatline's rate structure.
Wayne Lamson reported that a drop in projected revenues due to lower ridership continues to be offset by lower operating costs, particularly for fuel. Mr. Lamson said the boatline continues to look to cut costs wherever it can, including a reduction in the number of scheduled freight boats to reduce fuel costs
Mr. Lamson said ferries are available and added as needed, mostly on weekends, although Thursday evening demand has increased. SSA traffic numbers and reservation activity, down about nine percent compared with last year, continues to reflect the slow national and regional economy, he said.
The members renewed their agreement with Tisbury and the Martha's Vineyard Regional Transit Authority to underwrite a share of the costs of park and ride service between the Vineyard Haven terminal and the town parking lot off State Road. In 2008, the service carried 111,032 passengers, up 9.4 percent over 2007. The SSA paid $70,137 to cover a portion of the service costs.
The board agreed to allow New England Fast Ferry to trim its summer schedule because of a drop in demand. But, the members asked that a ferry representative appear at the June SSA meeting to discuss the company's future plans.
The license agreement that expires in 2011 allows the SSA to take over the service. "All of a sudden that doesn't sound so far off," said Robert Marshall, Falmouth SSA member.
Bob Davis, SSA treasurer, gave the members a 10-part written report that includes a detailed analysis of the SSA's rate structure, and he presented a brief report. In part, he said undiscounted automobile and truck fares continue to subsidize excursion rates.
In response to a question from The Martha's Vineyard Times, SSA lawyer Steve Sayers said the boatline's lawsuit brought against Ralph Packer, owner of Tisbury Towing and Transportation, for transporting rental cars without a license from the SSA, continues. He said that in recent court action, Mr. Packer agreed not to carry rental cars without written agreement from the SSA, but he will continue to transport heavy equipment and modular homes.
Governor begins forest stewardship discussion
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has launched a public process to discuss the future stewardship and management of state forest lands. The process will include public forums and online discussions.
"We are committed to having an open, wide-ranging, public conversation about forestry in Massachusetts," said DCR Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr. in a press release.
DCR owns and manages the 5,100-acre Manuel F. Correllus State Forest in the center of Martha's Vineyard.
Mr. Sullivan announced the formation of a technical steering committee composed of respected experts in their fields. The steering committee, with input from the public and the stakeholders, will make recommendations to DCR on forest stewardship.
According to the press release, DCR is considering how best to manage the myriad public benefits and values of forest land, including recreation, tourism, aesthetics, renewable forest products, habitat diversity, and landscape ecology, and how to strike the appropriate balance among them.
Commissioner Sullivan named Lisa Vernegaard, director of planning and stewardship at The Trustees of Reservations, as chairman of the committee, which also includes academics, practitioners, and scientists.
For more information on this public process and the technical steering committee members, go to www.mass.gov/dcr.
Record giving to and from Island Food Pantry
For the 2008-2009 off-season, the Island Food Pantry reports a record of 160 visits in one February week, a record income of $63,419 and a record of food expenditures of $56,758.
Rev. Helen Oliver inaugurated the Island Food Pantry (islandfoodpantry.org) as an outreach program of Christ United Methodist Church in 1981. In 28 years, it has expanded from a one-person effort to a ministry including more than 55 volunteers. The pantry has been supported by all the faith communities on Martha's Vineyard, the Vineyard Committee on Hunger, by Islanders, schools, businesses, summer visitors, and various organizations. The Island Club Card members provided $1,830. The Rotary Club provided an institutional-sized stainless steel refrigerator. Lia Kahler's concert, "Still The Hunger," provided $10,000 to the endowment fund. The Island Food Pantry receives no government food or funds.
The Food Pantry's income increased by $11,643 year over year. Pantry volunteers spent $15,098 more on food than in the 2007-2008 season.
In seven of the past 11 years, the Food Pantry spent more than it received in donations. The endowment fund covered the shortages. These funds were given in memory of Kevin Kennedy, Daniel Alisio, and Sayan Kasem. The endowment's goal is to maintain the original gift and use the growth in the endowment for income shortages or special projects, as in making the pantry's entryway handicapped accessible.
Visits to the pantry increased this year to 2,050, from 1,686 last year. The pantry assisted 486 families, representing at least 860 people on the Vineyard, including at least 170 children. In addition, the pantry provided granola bars to the elementary schools for breakfast supplements.
Of the 486 families, 200 came only once or twice (last year 130), and 186 came six or more times (last year 140). Last year, 170 said they were unemployed; this year 230 were without employment. A total of 162 gave no answer regarding employment. Last year the pantry averaged 65 visits a week; this year the average was 81.
Islanders can come to the pantry once every two weeks on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 2-4 pm, from mid October to mid-April.
The pantry volunteers respond to emergencies also throughout the year when people call the pantry number. The pantry has no paid staff. All gifts provide food for the Martha's Vineyard community. The pantry makes a contribution to the church to help with the cost of heat and light and garbage removal. There is an advisory board and the pantry's books are audited each year.
"For the wonderful cooperation of the church and the community, I am sincerely thankful," Armen Hanjian, coordinator of the Island Food Pantry, said in a statement reporting on the season just ended. "Best of all, our volunteers have worked hard and kept a positive attitude. I am grateful to be a part of such a caring community."
Tool time at Hinckley and Sons
H.N. Hinckley and Sons will hold a Bostich tool sale on Thursday and Friday, May 28 and 29, from 8 am until 2 pm. The annual event features special pricing on all tools and tool repairs. Factory representatives will be present to answer questions.
For more information, call 508-693-0075.
Arlene Stark joins VCM yoga
Vineyard Complementary Medicine yoga has announced the addition of Arlene Stark to the facility's yoga staff. Ms. Stark brings the precise alignment of the Iyengar style of hatha yoga to VCM Yoga, according to a press release. She will lead early morning sessions and evening practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information, go to www.vineyardwellness.com.
Plymouth Rock offers free license reminders
Last year, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles announced it would no longer mail reminders of license renewal dates to drivers. As a result drivers are sometimes surprised to learn their licenses have expired.
Plymouth Rock Assurance, a leading New England auto insurance company, this week announced a new program to offer all Massachusetts drivers, even those not insured by Plymouth Rock, the opportunity to receive free email reminders 30 days before their license renewals, registration renewals and annual auto inspection according to a press release. This program, called the MYLESSM eReminder Service, is an expansion of Plymouth Rock's successful eServices email reminder program, which previously was available only to Plymouth Rock customers.
Any Massachusetts driver can sign up for the MYLES eReminder Service by visiting
https://mylesereminders.prac.com. All that is required to enroll is a valid Massachusetts driver's license and an email address.
Businesses to offer green weddings
Eco MV, Big Sky Tent and Party Rentals, and Allied Waste have announced a partnership designed to make hosting green events on Martha's Vineyard more accessible, affordable, and sustainable.
According to a press release, the demand for green events, including green weddings, is on the rise, and the three Island companies have pooled their expertise to provide new innovative solutions.
Eco MV supplies tableware, flatware, and dishware made from sustainably produced bamboo and other biodegradable materials. Big Sky works these materials into the setting they develop along with furnishings and other elements. Allied Waste ensures that the waste from each event is recycled or disposed of in the most responsible manner.
Corrections
In a story published on May 7, "SAND images at Featherstone," a photo of an image was incorrectly identified. The photo was "Suspense" by Danielle Fogg. Also, Nicole Mercier was mistakenly identified as Sarah Felder in a part of the article that discussed Ms. Mercier's theme, "Simple," and her photograph "Rocks of Love."
