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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

By Janet Hefler
Published: May 21, 2009

Tristan Israel began Tuesday's selectmen's meeting with the news that he and his colleagues will not renew police Chief John Cashin's contract. He read from a press release and added that although the chief's contract officially expires on September 5, the selectmen and Mr. Cashin agreed he would end his tenure at the close of business yesterday. The official announcement ended days of rumors and speculation.

"The selectmen expressed disappointment that the relationship was ending, however, they collectively agreed that it was time to move in a new direction," Mr. Israel read from the press statement, an unusual practice for the usually expansive selectman.

After he read the press release, however, Mr. Israel made a few points of his own. He attempted to reassure the community that it will be business as usual for the town's veteran police department members and that the police know what they are doing when it comes to law enforcement.

"From my own point of view - we need to come together as a town and try and be positive," Mr. Israel said. "There's a positive way to criticize and a constructive way to criticize, and then there's just backbiting and negativism. I think that, I'm hoping that, we can all move beyond that."

Mr. Israel said that the selectmen look forward to taking steps to improve communication, not only in the police department, but throughout town government.

"And one other thing," he added, throwing off the restraints imposed by the press release altogether, "you know, rumors are rumors, and then there's gossip, and then there's just viciousness." He did not explain.

In a veiled reference to the appointment later that evening, in executive session, of Officer Dan Hanavan as interim police chief, Mr. Israel said the selectmen are making plans for the police department that would be revealed this week. He said the selectmen are optimistic.

"We sit here, all of us, looking for your input, whether at meetings or in phone calls, and again, we're going to work positively with the police department on moving forward," Mr. Israel said. "And the statement that I read about Mr. Cashin, all of us share. He did bring a lot to our town and our community, and we wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors."

Mr. Israel invited questions or comments from the public. The Martha's Vineyard Times asked what prompted the selectmen to ask Mr. Cashin to leave before his contract expired.

"I think the statement we read at the beginning really is all at this time I'm willing to talk about right now, with the exception that I will say that he wasn't 'sacked,' as I read somewhere," Mr. Israel said.

Mr. Israel referred to a news report published by the Vineyard Gazette on its website. Gazette reporter Mike Seccombe wrote that selectmen "have sacked" Mr. Cashin.

"Point well taken," conceded Mr. Seccombe, who was present. "Was there an actual vote taken between the selectmen as to his future?"

"At this point the only thing I'm going to say is what's in the statement," Mr. Israel repeated. "We had an amicable meeting with Mr. Cashin. We talked about this at the beginning of the meeting when I read the statement, and I think that's all I'm going to say to you right now. There will be other announcements concerning the future."

Asked by The Martha's Vineyard Times about the terms of the agreement to end Chief Cashin's contract, Mr. Israel again referred to the press release. "There are other issues going on in town," he added. Chief Cashin did not attend the meeting.

In reports from other department heads, public works director Fred LaPiana said the North William Street project is finished, as is the paving at Five Corners and Water Street. The sidewalk at Café Moxie was scheduled for completion yesterday.

Joe Tierney, chairman of the Emergency Services Facility (ESF) committee, said the project's architects are working on locating and mapping the leaching field on the town annex property in preparation for starting the building's design. The selectmen approved his request for $1,500, to rent a backhoe to do the digging.

Fire Chief John Schilling thanked the selectmen for hosting last week's public forum to invite comment on the ESF design. Although disappointed by the low turnout, Chief Schilling said he has had comments from people who watched the videotaped meeting on MVTV. He said he hopes more will attend future meetings.

In other fire department business, Chief Schilling said last weekend firefighters from all of the town departments attended a two-day course held on the Vineyard, sponsored by the Island Fire Chiefs Association and taught by instructors from the Massachusetts State Fire Academy.

Mr. Schilling called it a positive exercise in providing standardized training for firefighters Island-wide. Unfortunately, state budget cuts may limit future local training sessions, he added.

At harbormaster Jay Wilbur's request, the selectmen agreed to send a letter to the state's Department of Environmental Protection, requesting an emergency dredging permit for Lake Tashmoo. Otherwise, dredging would not be allowed between April 1 and August 31, and May and June are the most effective times for dredging the channel, Mr. Wilbur said.

And, the selectmen approved NSTAR's petition for installation of underground conduit and cable at Owen Little Way for the new Vineyard Haven Yacht Club headquarters, following a brief public hearing.

They also approved a new agreement for the Park and Ride shuttle bus operation and parking lot, between the town, the Vineyard Transit Authority, and the Steamship Authority through December 31, 2009.