News Briefs
Published: November 5, 2009
Secretary Bowles to meet with Island officials
Ian Bowles, Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEA), will meet Friday in Boston with a delegation of Island officials to discuss their concerns about the provisions of the Oceans Act. The time has not been set. The location will be EOEA's offices, at 100 Cambridge Street.
State Rep. Tim Madden arranged the meeting, according to Lisa Capone, EOEA spokesman. Representatives of each of the six Island boards of selectmen, the Martha's Vineyard Commission, Dukes County Commission and Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) are expected to attend.
Island officials have questioned the decision to place the state's only two wind farm development areas southwest of Nomans Land and west of Cuttyhunk.
In an interview with The Times published on October 22 ("Sec. Bowles would calm Oceans Act tempest"), Mr. Bowles spoke in reassuring terms about how the act would affect the Vineyard.
Late yesterday, Ms. Capone reiterated that the secretary would only move ahead with wind farm developments where there is local support.
Fundraiser scheduled for D'Arcy family
A fundraising event will be held tomorrow evening for the D'Arcy family, whose Carole Avenue home in Oak Bluffs was destroyed by fire on September 28. The fundraiser will be at Nectar's, at the airport. The fun including the Mike Benjamin Band, The Joanne Cassidy Band, food, auctions, and raffles - begins at 6 pm.
Friends and family have rallied to support Jack and Kimberly D'Arcy and their two young children. Donations were collected over the past several weeks to help the family settle into a temporary home. The effort is coordinated on a Facebook page that can be found by searching for the D'Arcy Family Support System.
The fundraiser at Nectar's is aimed at raising money to defray the rebuilding costs not covered by insurance.
"For example, they won't cover the cost of shelving," organizer Naomi Dias said. "Some of their personal everyday use items. We want to be able to help them get the same kind of refrigerator they had before."
Ms. Dias said the support for the well-liked family has been tremendous. "We have been able to organize and put into action things quicker than I could have ever asked for," she said. "We're thankful for everything everybody has done, and blessed to live in this place."
For information on fundraiser tickets, call 774-563-1007.
Café Moxie rebuilding effort short circuited
Paul Currier and Michael Ryan, the owners of Café Moxie, the popular Vineyard Haven restaurant that was destroyed by fire on July 4, 2008, have hit another snag in their rebuilding effort.
The rebuilding of Café Moxie has been stopped because the distance between the third floor and power lines on Centre Street violates building codes. Photo by Ralph Stewart Last month, the Tisbury electrical inspector ordered work on the project halted because the third floor would be within ten feet of a power line, a building code violation. The project's electrical contractor, the town, and NStar officials have so far been unable to come up with an alternate solution. So work is stalled, and that concerns Mr. Currier.
"At this point it must look like an abandoned project or something. There's probably been a month of no activity to speak of," Mr. Currier told The Times Tuesday. "The important thing is that people know the project has not been abandoned."
Mr. Currier said he is anxious to keep the project moving forward. For now, he said, it appears that only NStar can come up with a solution.
The restaurant was destroyed and next-door Bunch of Grapes Bookstore badly damaged in the fire that broke out in the basement of the restaurant. The insurance claims process delayed plans to reopen by the summer of 2009.
The owners were prepared to begin rebuilding last spring, but at the request of selectmen they put off any construction activity that might disrupt Main Street until after the busy summer months.
Plans call for a three-story building with a food prep area in the basement, a dining room on the Main Street level, and two apartments on the third floor.
Photo by Tim JohnsonLambert's Cove Road is closed
Lambert's Cove Road, between the EC Cottle lumber yard and the Lambert's Cove Beach parking lot, is closed to all traffic - motorized, pedaled, or pedestrian - for the next week and a half to allow for repair of the road, according to the West Tisbury superintendent of streets Richard Olsen.
Work began on Monday, and large signs were placed at State Road ends of Lambert's Cove Road to alert motorists. The work will include repair of the road surface and the retaining walls at the bridge over Blackwater Brook, just east of the beach parking lot.
Mr. Olsen presented preliminary plans for the road closing and repair project to the West Tisbury selectmen during their October 7 meeting.
In an earlier telephone interview, Mr. Olsen explained that he has been monitoring the road for the past five years. "In the last year or so, I noticed that something was happening," he said. "The retaining walls have been compromised. They are being pushed outward creating dips in the road." The structure of the bridge itself is fine, Mr. Olsen added.
The repair plans call for excavating the culvert down about 1.5 to 2 feet below the road surface. "We are going to put in a new material (a dense mixture of elements) and then 18 inches of concrete above that," Mr. Olsen explained. New steel rods will also be added to reinforce the retaining walls. Approximately 100 feet of Lambert's Cove Road will be closed to traffic with the repair work area measuring 48 feet long and 18 feet wide.
The all-stone culvert, perhaps dating to the 1800s, became compromised, according to Mr. Olsen, due to a "combination of age and the heavier trucks. When it was built there were probably only wagons using that road."
Vineyard Scripts hosts bone marrow donor drive
In participation with independent community pharmacies around the country, Vineyard Scripts will host will host a bone marrow donor drive next week to benefit DKMS, the world's largest donor center.
The donor drive takes place on Thursday, Nov.12, from noon to 5 pm at Vineyard Scripts, 117 Beach Road, in Vineyard Haven.
Pharmacist and Vineyard Scripts co-owner David Perzanowski said that registering to become a bone marrow donor involves filling out a questionnaire and a cheek swab test. Although the test will be offered free, it costs $65, so contributions would be welcome, Mr. Perzanowski said.
The cheek swab tests will be analyzed by DKMS to determine potential donors who might be a match for someone in need of a bone marrow transplant. Currently, only 3 out of 10 patients suffering from blood cancers receive a needed bone marrow transplant, a press release from DKMS said.
Finding a compatible donor is the biggest barrier. Potential donors from minority ethnic backgrounds are especially needed.
For more information, call Vineyard Scripts at 508-693-7979 or visit the website dkmsamericas.org.
Photo by Steve Myrick A surprise ending for Hollywood Video
Hollywood Video, a popular video store at the Triangle in Edgartown, closed its doors last week. A sign on the door said the video franchise is closed for good and thanked loyal customers for their business. The store manager would not discuss the closing when she was reached by telephone last week. She referred The Times to a customer service line in Oregon, but there was no information available there either.
Public hearing on wind DCPC over Island waters
The Martha's Vineyard Commission (MVC) will hold a public hearing on a proposed Island wind district of critical planning concern (DCPC) at 7 pm tonight, Thursday, November 5, at the West Tisbury Public Safety Building.
The public hearing addresses a proposed DCPC that would cover the airspace more than 220 feet above the waters of Dukes County. The purpose of the DCPC is to provide a framework to regulate large-scale wind turbine development.
The MVC vote to accept the DCPC nomination for Island waters on October 6 triggered a development moratorium on all building projects exceeding 220 feet above mean sea level in the waters of Dukes County, from the Island's shoreline to the three-mile Massachusetts boundary limit.
In addition to the public hearing on November 5, the MVC commissioners will consider a nomination for an Island wind DCPC that would apply to the airspace above 220 feet over land on Martha's Vineyard. If the additional Island wind DCPC over land is accepted for consideration, the MVC will schedule another public hearing.
Two families displaced by Edgartown blaze
Edgartown firefighters responded to a fire early Monday morning that badly damaged one of two Fisher Road Town House apartments, managed by the Vineyard Housing Office (VHO).
David Vigneault, VHO director, said firefighters were able to prevent destruction of the structure, but fire damage was massive to one of the units, and smoke and water damage extensive in the other. A Yorkshire terrier puppy died in the fire.
Assistant Edgartown fire chief Scott Ellis said the call was received at 6:23 am, and units remained at the scene until 9:09 am. A stove burner left on was the cause of the fire, he said.
Alexis Burney, her fiancé Keith Yasinsky and Ms. Burney's two girls and a boy ages 5, 6, and 8, respectively, lived in the unit where the fire began.
In a telephone call Wednesday morning, Ms. Burney told The Times she was distraught over the loss of so many family possessions. "It is gone, you have nothing. No memories, and the kids lose their puppy and they are devastated. You never know what it feels like until you actually go through it," she said.
Ms. Burney said she and the children might have still been in bed, except that she needed to take Mr. Yasinsky to work because she had left her car at her grandmother's house. She received a telephone call from a neighbor that the house was on fire.
Ms. Burney said she is very grateful that her family was unhurt. "We are all trying to stay strong together," she said. "I don't care if I wear the same clothes the rest of my life, as long as my kids have a roof over their heads, food in their mouths, and clothes on their backs. My main concern is that we're all together and healthy."
Ms. Burney said her neighbor and her two children are also devastated. The two families are staying temporarily at the Clarion Hotel in Edgartown.
An account has been set up for the families displaced by the fire. Checks should be made payable to: DCRHA Fisher Road Fire Fund, Edgartown National Bank, P.O. Box 96, Edgartown, MA 02539.
For more information call Barbara Hoffman, regional housing authority administrative assistant, at 508-693-4419.
Tisbury emergency services facility forums
Tisbury's emergency services facility (ESF) building committee will host two public forums next week, to discuss plans and answer questions about a new building proposed on Spring Street to house the town's fire, ambulance, and emergency management departments.
If approved by voters at a special town meeting on November 17 and in a ballot vote on December 8, the ESF will be built across the street from the Tisbury School.
The ESF committee will meet with Tisbury School teachers, staff, students' parents, and any interested community members on Monday, Nov. 9, at 6 pm in the school library. A second forum will be held the next night at the Tisbury Senior Center at 6 pm.
Collaborative offers workshops for nonprofits
The Martha's Vineyard Donors Collaborative will offer two workshops designed to help Island nonprofits through the current difficult economy and provide them with tools to improve the effectiveness of their organizations.
"Non-Profit Marketing: What? Why? Who? & How?" with Sue Silk on November 10 at the Hebrew Center is designed to help Island nonprofits compete for limited funds by honing their 2010 marketing plan so they can communicate their impact in a compelling way and connect with donors, according to a press release.
"Develop a Plan to Make Your Board More Effective," with Chuck Loring on December 5 at the Saint Andrews Church Parish Hall, in Edgartown is designed to help Island nonprofits improve the effectiveness of their boards. It is designed for a team of board members who will review best practices in nonprofit governance, work together to assess their own strengths and weaknesses and develop a plan for improvement.
The workshops are made possible by a grant from the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation. For more information and registration forms, refer to www.mvdonors.org.
Vendors to participate in Winter Farmers Market
The organizers of the popular summertime West Tisbury Farmer's Market are organizing a winter Farmer's Market.
Winter fare includes locally grown and raised stored vegetables, meats, poultry, eggs, cheeses, wool and other value added products such as baked goods, jams and jellies.
The first monthly market is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14. From 10 am to 2 pm. Interested vendors should call Linda Alley at 508-693-9561.
For our soldiers, for Christmas
The effort continues to support Island soldiers deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere. Joann Murphy, Robert Pacheco of Reliable Market, and Estelle Burnham have announced a fundraiser for these soldiers. Packages of foodstuffs, clothing, and other essential items will be sent to Vineyard servicemen and women in time for the holidays.
Donations will be welcomed by Ms. Burnham, RFD 140, Edgartown, MA 02539. Call 508-627-9521, with questions. All contributions will be greatly appreciated. And, if you'd like a list of the mailing addresses of our Island soldiers, Ms. Burnham and Ms. Murphy can provide it. Soldiers love to get mail from their Island home.
Home Away names cyber rental champ
HomeAway, a leading online rental listing company, recently named Sarah Trespasz (Minton) of Edgartown a "Local Owner Champion" based on her knowledge of the process of listing, booking, and local area markets.
For more information go to greatharborrental.com .
Eco MV helps schools battle flu germs
Eco MV is donating multiple cases of 4-ounce personal spray bottles of PureGreen24 disinfectant to local Island schools for classroom use.
PureGreen24 is a disinfectant and deodorizer with the lowest toxicity rating assigned by the Federal EPA, according to a press release. The product is effective against the H1N1 virus and other influenza flu strains on hard, non-porous surfaces.
"We are happy to donate a product that is in sync with Eco MV's values while being effective against the H1N1 virus and other influenza flu strains." Eco MV owner Mark Martin said.
For more information, go to www.ecomv.net.
House advances fishing license, veterans bill
The House on Wednesday morning advanced bills instituting salt water fishing licenses and expanding housing opportunities for veterans and enabling returning soldiers to receive additional bonuses. Both bills may see further consideration and debate Wednesday afternoon. The Senate on Wednesday, during a brief session, advanced a new version of legislation aimed at preserving affordable housing at risk of being converted to market rate stock.
Governor asks workers to forgo raises
Gov. Deval Patrick said Wednesday his administration has asked state employee unions for furloughs and to forgo contractual pay raises. Speaking on WTKK Wednesday morning, Patrick said unions have asked, in return, for the administration to consider an early retirement program and to guarantee no changes in their state-provided health care. "It is not anything really different than what workers in the private sector are trying to do these days," Patrick said.
