News Briefs
Edgartown braces for new round of state budget cuts
Town administrator Pam Dolby told the Edgartown selectmen Monday about a $47,916 shortfall in Edgartown's school budget for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, and a projected shortfall of $168,786 in the town's operating budget for the 2010 fiscal year.
Ms. Dolby said she learned from state officials before the selectmen met that $47,916 the town anticipated in state education funds will be cut, as the state struggles with its own budget. Ms. Dolby also said she's been told to expect $168,786 less than anticipated in local aid funds from the state for the 2010 fiscal year. Local aid is tax revenue returned to towns each year.
The selectmen asked the town administrator to schedule a session with the finance advisory committee to begin making decisions about how to adjust the town's budget to make up for the expected shortfalls.
The participation of town officials who also sit on the boards of affordable housing nonprofit organizations in spending decisions surrounding the Jenny Lane project prompted a request for clarification to town counsel Ron Rappaport.
On Monday Mr. Rappaport delivered a four-page opinion to selectmen. Mr. Rappaport said selectmen had asked whether it was permissible under the state ethics act "for a member of the Community Preservation Committee, or the Affordable Housing Trust Committee, to vote or participate in a decision to grant, or to recommend the grant of, public funds to a non-profit entity on which the committee member serves as a board member."
Mr. Rappaport said, "My answer is no, provided that the non-profit entity seeking public funds is substantially engaged in business activities," as defined by the state ethics commission.
Mr. Rappaport said that would include nonprofits seeking public funds to assist with land acquisition, construction projects, or procurement of housing. He wrote, "It is my opinion that a member of the CPC or Trust Committees is barred from participating in any matter in which either committee decides to award or recommend the award of, public funds to a non profit on which the committee member sits as a board member, unless the non profit entity is not a business organization under the guidelines issued by the Ethics Commission."
In other business, harbormaster Charlie Blair updated the selectmen about the North Wharf fuel dock. Mr. Blair said that the fuel dock is on track to open this weekend, with a limited schedule for the month of June and a more extended schedule for the summer months.
The selectmen granted a seasonal liquor license to A.J. Black, manager of Il Tesoro at the Charlotte Inn.
Aquinnah fails to reach quorum
Despite appeals from Aquinnah town officials to voters assembled at their annual town meeting May 12, too few voters attended a special town meeting Tuesday to form a quorum. The special meeting was needed to help the town complete its fiscal 2009 business.
Historically, Aquinnah voters do not have a good attendance record at special town meetings, and this week was no exception. The town needed 39 voters, but only 22 showed up. Aquinnah will try again on Wednesday, June 3. That meeting will begin at 7 pm in old town hall.
Updates on Islanders in military
In an Armed Forces Day tribute last week, The Martha's Vineyard Times listed Islanders currently on active duty in military service. Here's some additional information, received after publication.
Master Sergeant Jason S. Canha, USAF, is stationed at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., and lives in Satellite Beach with his wife Kimberly, son Dominick, 13, and daughter Krista, 8. He was recently deployed to Afghanistan for a six-month tour.
Master Sgt. Canha is the son of Brenda and Mike Canha, owners of DP Canha Appliance Repair. He graduated from Martha's Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) in 1992. MSgt. Canha has been in the Air Force for 16 years and is now assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Cpl. Seth Vieara Jones, USMC, is on his third overseas tour, serving in Afghanistan as a helicopter mechanic with a unit from Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Although he grew up in New Hampshire, Corporal Jones was born at Martha's Vineyard Hospital and spent a lot of time on the Island while growing up. His great-aunt Rena Vieara works at H.N. Hinckley's, and his grandparents, Bill and Lee Jones of Virginia, spend summers in Edgartown. His parents are Tom and Peggy Jones of New Hampshire.
Lance Cpl. Dennis Vogel Jr., USMC, completed a seven-month tour in Iraq in March and is stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, in San Diego, Calif.
LCpl. Vogel joined the Marine Corps after graduating from Martha's Vineyard Regional High School in 2007. After attending boot camp at Parris Island, S.C., he completed basic training in Mississippi and then was stationed in California. He is the son of Sheila Sennott of Vineyard Haven and Dennis Vogel of Oak Bluffs.
If you would like to send a card or letter to Islanders serving overseas, call Veterans Service Agent Jo Ann Murphy at 508-693-6887.
Possible Dreams auction moving to Ocean Park
The annual Possible Dreams auction will take place in Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs this year. A highlight of the summer charity event season, the auction is scheduled for August 3.
The Oak Bluffs parks commission approved the application from the auction sponsor, Martha's Vineyard Community Services, at its May 11 meeting.
Last year the auction moved from its long-time home at the Harborside Inn in Edgartown, to the Outerland nightclub, near the Martha's Vineyard Airport.
"This move feels right to me," said auction chairman Jim Shane in a news release. "It's a crucial year. Times are tough, the needs of our Island friends and neighbors are growing, and people count on Community Services to be here. When the Island community and visitors gather in Ocean Park for this year's auction, not only will they have a wonderful experience, but they will be helping raise critical funds to support Community Services."
The event will begin at 4 pm under a tent, rain or shine. Admission is $25. A celebration dinner is planned at Ocean Park following the event. Dinner tickets are $300.
The event has raised more than $8 million for Island community services over the last three decades, according to organizers.
More information is available at possibledreamsauction.org.
State insurance plan options will change
The next five weeks provide an important window of opportunity for current and prospective Island members of Commonwealth Care, the subsidized state health insurance plan enacted to provide universal access to insurance coverage for all Massachusetts citizens.
Beginning May 25 and extending through June 25, current members may change health insurance plans for any reason. This is particularly important for Islanders now covered by the Boston Medical Center (BMC) program, one of several nonprofit managed care organizations approved by the state's Health Connector, the agency that administers the state insurance plan.
Currently, BMC and Network Health both have contracts with Martha's Vineyard Hospital. A new provider will enter the Vineyard market next month. Neighborhood Health has signed a contract with the hospital, effective July 1.
Martha's Vineyard Hospital has told the state it plans to end its contract with BMC on June 30, after which it would no longer accept that insurance plan.
Dick Powers, director of public affairs for Commonwealth Connector, told The Martha's Vineyard Times there would be a "multi-prong effort" made to inform residents of the changes. These will include a letter that informs all Commonwealth Care members that BMC is no longer available and outlines the new options. Commonwealth Care will also send an information packet during the open enrollment period to all members in June.
Mr. Powers said the hospital would also send a letter to all patients advising that it would no longer accept BMC. State regulations allow hospital officials to say little about the changes.
Tim Walsh, hospital chief executive officer, said the decision to end the contract with BMC will not eliminate health insurance options for former BMC members, who will be able to select either Network Health or Neighborhood Health. He said that unlike these two plans, BMC makes it difficult for Island patients to transfer to member hospitals of the Partners HealthCare System, to which the Vineyard hospital belongs.
Mr. Walsh said the new state plan has been a great benefit to the hospital, which previously lost money providing health care to uninsured patients and residents who could not afford insurance. "It brings stability," he said.
For more information, call Martha's Vineyard Hospital at 508-693-0410, or refer to www.mahealthconnector.org.
Chilmark selectmen get down to business
In addition to appointing a new police chief Tuesday night (see front page), selectmen authorized advertising the position of tax collector, having learned this week that 18-year incumbent Polly N. McDowell intends to retire on August 1. Selectmen discussed but quickly abandoned the notion of combining the treasurer and tax collection positions.
Arguing for separate positions, selectman J.B. Riggs Parker, chairman, said, "It works so well for us. We give great service, and the financial picture is good. I don't think we ought to change."
Selectmen also approved final licensing for the Home Port restaurant, after receiving an indemnification letter from owners Bob and Sarah Nixon, holding the town harmless from any issues arising from the restaurant's septic system, which occupies a few feet of town-owned land.
The board authorized creation of a building committee to oversee construction of 12 affordable housing units at Middle Line Road (MLR). Proposed members include executive secretary Tim Carroll, selectman Warren Doty, planning board member Todd Christy and residents Frank LoRusso and Roland Kluver.
Board action followed an update from Chuck Hodginson, town coordinator of administrative support, who estimated that well-digging for the project will be completed by year end, allowing NSTAR to complete preparations for the installation of utility infrastructure.
The board also directed Mr. Carroll to draft language that would allow subletting of a town bulkhead in Menemsha for the purpose of creating a marketplace for buyers and sellers of locally caught fish. The lessee must have a separate business in the fish industry and may not be merely a landlord, selectmen said.
Corrections
Diane Leonard, whose letter, "Thank you, kindly," appeared in last week's Times, objected to our second reference to the Rev. Cathlin Baker as Ms. Baker.
