News Briefs
Foreclosure sale nets $2.7 million for Edgartown house
The historic Captain Fisher house in Edgartown, formerly the Tuscany Inn, was sold at foreclosure last week. The winning bidder agreed to pay $2,710,000 for the property at 22 North Water Street. The identity of the winning bidder was not revealed, but it has become the subject of intense speculation among some folks on the Island. The building was most recently a private residence. The first floor of the building houses l'etoile, a restaurant and bar. The establishment, which leases the space, has remained open as the property went through foreclosure proceedings and will continue operating as a restaurant with no interruption, according to a restaurant staff member. Auctioneer Daniel Flynn described the foreclosure auction as something less than euphoric, though all parties were happy the property was sold.
"It started at a million," said auctioneer Daniel Flynn. "It went quickly to two, two-and-half, and topped out at $2.71 million."
According to town assessors' records, in 2004, Michael P. Phillips of North Reading bought the property for $3 million. At the same time, Mr. Phillips bought an adjacent parcel for $2 million.
The Bank of New England foreclosed the loan on the property.
Rainbow Farm set for sale to London couple
Property owned by David Douglas and known as Rainbow Farm, off South Road in Chilmark, is under agreement. Mr. Douglas told The Times a closing is scheduled for mid-July.
"We are still proceeding along," said Mr. Douglas in a telephone conversation Tuesday. "We do have a buyer for it."
In anticipation of the sale of the property, Mr. Douglas is closing Campbell and Douglas Harness and Feed, the tack shop located on the farm property. A liquidation sale began on May 22 and will continue until the inventory is sold he said.
The farm property consists of a five-acre parcel Mr. Douglas owns outright and an adjacent 99-acre field owned by The Trustees of Reservations, on which he holds a long-term lease.
Mr. Douglas said he will retain his lease rights over 35 acres. "I will do some farming with it," he said.
The buyers are Eric and Molly Glasgow. Mr. Douglas said Mr. Glasgow is from Swampscott, and Mrs. Glasgow is from Texas. Most recently the couple lived in London, where Mr. Glasgow worked in finance. "They would at some point hope to start a small dairy herd," said Mr. Douglas.
The Glasgows could not be reached for comment.
Oak Bluffs police report normal holiday weekend
Oak Bluffs police reported they responded to 109 incidents over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. For the most part, police cited individuals for alcohol and motor vehicle violations.
Lieutenant Tim Williamson described the weekend activity as normal for the holiday.
Over the course of Friday police issued summonses to a 35-year-old New Bedford man for trespassing and sleeping in public and a 20-year-old Tisbury man for furnishing alcohol to someone under 21 years old and possession of a fake ID. Police wrote a town bylaw ticket for possession of marijuana for a 20-year-old from Naples, Florida, and arrested an Edgartown woman for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, and for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
At 2:30 pm Saturday police stopped a man driving a scooter on County Road for not wearing a helmet. As a result of the stop police charged the 25-year-old from Lincoln, Rhode Island, with operating under the influence and operating a moped without a helmet.
Police made two motor vehicle stops Sunday resulting in arrests.
At 11:30 am Monday police responded to Head of the Pond Road for a report of three males acting suspiciously. The reporting party stated that one of the males had a gun in his waistband. Police responded and found three teenaged boys.
The youths were using a toy gun as a prop for a movie they were shooting in the area. Police notified their parents.
The weekend ended with a motor vehicle stop on Wing Road and the arrest of a 21-year-old from Needham for operating under the influence of liquor, speeding, improper passing, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and a marked lanes violation.
Coast Guard vessel capsizes offshore
A 25-foot United States Coast Guard response boat capsized during training yesterday about 15 miles south of Martha's Vineyard.
Five crewmembers assigned to the vessel were rescued from the chilly waters and taken aboard other Coast Guard boats participating in the maneuvers. They were transported to Station Menemsha, where local ambulance personnel met them. One crew member suffered an ankle injury, and another showed symptoms of hypothermia, according to a press release from the Coast Guard.
The crew members are assigned to the Port Security Unit based at Air Station Cape Cod in Bourne.
A crew from Station Menemsha responded to the scene in its own 25-foot response boat, and remained with the swamped vessel late in the afternoon, as the Coast Guard worked on a plan to salvage the boat. Also remaining on the scene was the cutter Jefferson Island, from Station Portland. The Maine-based cutter happened to be on routine patrol in the area at the time of the accident.
"Unfortunately, events like these remind us of the risks associated with Coast Guard training and operations," said Rear Adm. Tom Atkin, commander of the U.S. Deployable Operations Group said in the release. "Our teams are trained to operate as safely and efficiently as possible, mitigating risk whenever possible. We will look into this case thoroughly for the benefit of those involved and for all those guardians operating around the globe."
Mojo will lose his mojo
West Tisbury selectmen last week approved a plan proposed by animal control officer Joan Jenkinson to restrain Mojo, a Rottweiler accused of killing two of 18 ducks owned by Jeff Monroe who lives on the Edgartown-West Tisbury Road.
According to the plan, agreed to at the hearing by dog owner Jennifer Jordan of nearby Langley Lane and Mr. Monroe, Mojo is to be restrained on the Jordan property until a roofed pen is completed. The deadline for pen construction is May 27. Ms. Jordan also agreed to pay Mr. Monroe $50 in damages and to post a $200 bond with the town within 30 days.
Selectmen Diane Powers and Richard Knabel agreed to the plan. Selectman Jeffrey S. (Skipper) Manter voted against it, saying "you know my stand on vicious dogs." In the past, Mr. Manter has supported more conclusive measures, including euthanasia, for animals that kill livestock.
Give Old Glory a proper goodbye
American Legion Post 257 invites the public to a brief ceremony at 6:30 pm on Flag Day, June 14, demonstrating the proper disposal of unserviceable American flags.
Bring old flags to the ceremony for disposal or drop them off at the Legion Post at 34 Williams Street in Vineyard Haven on Monday evenings, June 1 and June 8, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.
For more information, call 508-693-9257.
Edgartown invites Fourth of July parade participants
The annual July Fourth parade in Edgartown is a quintessential example of small-town community spirit and pride. Visitors and Islanders line the flag-draped parade route that winds through the streets of Edgartown and shout their appreciation to the marchers, including Vineyard veterans and various Island groups.
Parade grand marshal Fred "Ted" Morgan has extended his annual invitation to Islanders to join the parade - on a float, in a marching or musical group, or as an owner of an antique car (1960 and older).
There is a $1,000 first prize for the winning float; $800 for the most patriotic; $500 for the most original; and a $500 special prize.
Parade participants must pre-register by calling 508-627-6180. Parade assembly starts at 3 pm. The parade starts at 5 pm.
Mr. Morgan also wants to remind everyone considering a float that throwing candy to the people standing along the route is not allowed.
State asks public to help protect horseshoe crabs
The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has asked for the public's assistance in identifying shoreline used by horseshoe crabs as spawning grounds.
Each spring in May and June, horseshoe crabs come ashore to lay their eggs. Weather conditions, water temperature and habitat can affect where and when the crabs gather. Spawning generally occurs on evening high tides near the full and new moons.
State environmental officials have asked visitors and residents to be on the lookout and help identify where crabs are spawning. They can often be spotted moving along the bottom in Cape Poge, Tashmoo, and Sengekontacket ponds.
Marine officials have asked volunteers to help with an annual statewide survey of the crabs. Surveys involve walking along designated stretches of beach and counting male and female horseshoe crabs in five-meter squares during high tide on days and nights around the full and new moons in May and June. Training will be provided and no special skills are needed. Children over 10 can participate with an adult.
For information on how to notify the DMF about horseshoe crab sightings or the 2009 crab survey, visit mass.gov/dfwele/dmf.
Building Shelter offers energy-efficient windows
Building Shelter, a custom building company located in Oak Bluffs, now offers Serious Windows, described in a press release as a leading energy saving window, made with uncompromised quality and durability. Serious Windows are available in a full range of commercial and residential styles, including single-hung, double-hung, gliders, casement and sliding doors.
"Serious Windows™ will allow Building Shelter to provide our customers with the best windows available on the market," said Ben Kelley of Building Shelter.
For more information, refer to buildingshelter.com.
Lure Grill appoints new executive chef
The Lure Grill at the Winnetu Oceanside Resort in Katama has a new executive chef, Troy Price, who was trained at the Culinary Institute of America.
Mr. Price is no stranger, a Winnetu press release explains. He worked at the restaurant, formerly named Lure Restaurant, for three years as chef de cuisine. Roderick Anderson, Winnetu general manager, said Mr. Price will bring creativity and progressive vision to the new Lure Grill. For more information, call 508-627-3663.
Vineyard Tennis Center hires new assistant director
Damon Burke is the new assistant director of the Vineyard Tennis Center at the Martha's Vineyard Airport. Mr. Burke, an Island high school graduate, has played professional soccer in Japan's Kanto league and coached soccer both on Martha's Vineyard and in New York, at the youth and high school levels.
Corrections
The Times misspelled the name of a correspondent, whose letter, "Care needed", appeared in the May 21 edition. The letter writer's name is Bryan D. Freehling.
