News
in Brief
July 7,
2005
Hyannis high-speed ferry begins service
Hy-Line Cruises’ high-speed catamaran, Lady Martha, began service between Hyannis and Oak Bluffs over the busy Fourth of July weekend.
Service was originally slated to begin last Thursday, but mechanical problems postponed the inaugural voyage until Sunday.
The sleek, 149-passanger boat makes the trip from Oak Bluffs Harbor to the Ocean Street dock in Hyannis in about 55 minutes. Hy-Line currently offers five daily trips between the two ports.
A round-trip adult ticket aboard the new vessel costs $53, including the 50-cent embarkation fees at each port. Tickets for children between the ages of five and 12 cost $40 for a round-trip. Children under four ride for free. Passengers can bring their bicycles for an additional $5 each way.
Hy-Line is not new to ferry service to Martha’s Vineyard or to the world of high-speed ferries. The family-owned company has operated traditional ferry service seasonally between Hyannis and Oak Bluffs since 1971. In 1995, the company launched high-speed service to Nantucket. Over the years, Nantucketers had come to depend on Hy-Line, which built a reputation for dependable, customer-friendly service.
Hy-Line will continue to run its traditional ferry between Hyannis and Oak Bluffs on a seasonal basis, while the high-speed vessel will operate year-round. Company officials have said that they hope the new service will attract a market of visitors and Islanders traveling to the mid-Cape for various reasons, including access to medical and education facilities.
For more information on Hy-Line Cruises, including schedules and fares, visit hy-linecruises.com.
Edgartown motorist surveys
Motorists sitting in Edgartown traffic may find themselves with homework to do. Survey cards dispersed to drivers on high congestion roads will contribute to a larger traffic study the Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) is conducting for the town of Edgartown
The Origin-Destination card will be distributed for four days over the next two weeks. This survey, automated traffic counters, and manual counts of turning movements make up the Edgartown portion of an Islandwide traffic counts program. Results will be analyzed by the MVC, Edgartown planners, the Edgartown Police Department, and various Edgartown boards who will determine the possibility of traffic improvements.
The survey card will include questions about start and ending locations, number of passengers, and residential status information. Motorists will be asked to complete and return it even if they have been polled in the past as all vehicle trips are considered beneficial to the study.
Blue survey return drop boxes are posted at Island libraries and grocery stores. Respondents may also drop cards in their mail box. To encourage participation, the MVC is holding a drawing of completed cards for two $100 gift certificates.
Aquinnah voters approve special meeting warrant
Aquinnah voters reinforced their ranks last Thursday night to take action on 15 warrant articles, after lack of a quorum two days earlier forced rescheduling of the special town meeting.
Although Tuesday night’s meeting failed to attract the required 40-voter quorum, 43 showed up on Thursday at the old town hall building to take action on spending measures before the fiscal year’s end at midnight.
Several of the articles approved by voters concerned the appropriation of funds left over from last year’s budget. Free-cash transfer requests included $3,000 for the town’s share of costs for a consultant’s study of the Up-Island Regional School District and $500 for a preliminary search for funding for a town-owned, power-generating windmill. In addition, voters agreed to fund improvements in the old town hall building, including a new well that also will service the fire station and library.
Voters also approved the transfer of $54,000 of the free cash to the town stabilization fund. This fulfilled a promise made by the selectmen last year to replace the money borrowed from the fund to pay for basic town expenses after a Proposition 2.5 override failed.
Voters also added another $33,250 in free cash to the stabilization fund. Although Article 11 called for appropriating the funds towards line items in the FY 2006 budget, voters approved an amendment to put the money back into the stabilization fund instead.
Articles delaying the start-up date for a new local room occupancy tax and the revision of a bylaw regarding false burglar or fire alarms also passed.
Although most of the 15 articles passed unanimously, voters tabled Article 4 indefinitely. This article authorized the payment of an additional assessment to the town from Dukes County for the services of the county veterans agent, an issue also is in dispute in Vineyard Haven.
After the voting was over, Jamie Weisman, an architect from Terrain Associates, presented his proposed plans for the town hall addition and renovations.
This week, with the start of a new fiscal year, the town of Aquinnah welcomed Jeff Burgoyne as the new administrator for the selectmen, appointed June 30. Mr. Burgoyne formerly served as executive secretary to the Oak Bluffs selectmen. He and his wife have lived in Vineyard Haven since 1993, and have four children.
Musicians turn out
for Marcella family
More than 20 Island musicians will play at a benefit concert for the family of Ivy Marcella at the Offshore Ale Company in Oak Bluffs beginning at 7 pm, Wednesday night.
Ivy Marcella, 19, of Edgartown drowned in a Vermont river on June 21. She regularly performed in Island venues, including the Ale House on Wednesday nights playing the mandolin accompanied by her father.
Gregg Harcourt, one of the organizers, said the musical lineup would include “everybody that plays on the Island.”
Edgartown selectman
move through business
Edgartown selectmen praised the work of Leonard Jason, building inspector for Chilmark and Edgartown, during his annual merit evaluation, the first item on Tuesday evening’s agenda.
“Your job just keeps getting bigger,” said selectman Margaret Serpa. “And we thank you.”
Mr. Jason said that his annual selectmen’s review’s was the only downside to his work. Selectman Michael Donaroma countered, “There’s a job opening in Oak Bluffs, if you don’t like these meetings,” in reference to the open building inspector slot in that town, temporarily being filled by Mr. Jason.
Selectmen then considered a request to remove three cavitated trees on the corners of Cook and South Water streets, described as dangerously supple, and a tree replacement plan was offered by Norman Renkow on behalf of the property owners. Selectman Michael Donaroma said it was a good time to accept the offer, since the trees would have to come down anyway.
Taxi fare increases were next on the docket. Wayne Weston of Stagecoach Taxi Company, explained why the rate increases. “Gas, insurance, and congestion,” he said. Mr. Donaroma questioned the jump from $17 to $25 from the Martha’s Vineyard Airport to Katama, and Mr. Weston explained the fees levied on cab companies by the airport. “We pay fifteen hundred dollars a year just to show up and say hi out there.”
A discussion about how and where taxi rates were to be posted in cabs followed. Selectman Donaroma reminded taxi owners that the method of posting fees must meet with Edgartown Police Chief Condlin’s approval.
On a final matter, Kit Johnson spoke about Cape Light Compact Green, which supports the development of renewable energy sources in New England. More information on Cape Light can be found at www.capelightcompact.org.
Taxi fares to rise
The two West Tisbury taxicab companies, saying that it has been five years since their rates last changed, presented their selectmen with a rate sheet reflecting various increases. The new rates will jump from 4 to 50 percent, but most increases are 20 percent. Gary Davidson of Bluefish Cab told the selectmen that taxi companies in other towns are presenting their selectmen with similar fare increases.
Rides in a West Tisbury cab from the airport to downtown Vineyard Haven, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, or West Tisbury (Alley’s Store) were all $15 under the old schedule. They will now cost $18, a 20-percent increase. The ride from the airport to Chilmark center is up from $25 to $30, and to the Aquinnah Cliffs, from $40 to $45. Some other airport rides are up from $20 to $25: to West Chop, other parts of West Tisbury, and Katama.
Rides originating in West Tisbury center are also up, but by smaller amounts. Rides that used to cost $15 will now cost $17; $25 rides will cost from $26 to $29. Additional fees for bikes, dogs, passengers beyond two, dirt roads, and waiting time are up from 25 to 50 percent.
The selectmen were in agreement with most of the new rate sheet, citing the long time without an increase and the high cost of fuel. However, chairman Jeffrey “Skipper” Manter and selectman John Early questioned the fees for dirt roads and roads with speed pumps. Mr. Manter said that while he could understand a charge for dirt roads in bad repair, he did not agree that a paved road with speed bumps was equivalent. Mr. Davidson replied that roads such as the one at Dodgers Hole with nine speed bumps cause extra wear on autos. “That’s what they do in every other town,” he said.
“We have a habit of being different here,” Mr. Manter shot back.
Mr. Manter also challenged the computation for dirt roads, which will now be “Two dollars for one-third mile.” He pointed out that odometers measure in tenths, not thirds. Mr. Davidson said that the charge is assessed at the discretion of the driver. “The rate sheet is just a guideline. Some dirt roads are as good as paved, so we don’t charge [extra] at all,” he said.
Selectman Glenn Hearn moved to approve the rates, “since they are consistent with what other towns are charging.” The motion passed unanimously.
Testimony resumes in West Tisbury property tax case
Jo-Ann Resendes, principal assessor for West Tisbury, traveled again to Boston to testify Tuesday in a hearing concerning William Graham’s appeal of his West Tisbury tax bills, now entering its seventh week of testimony before the state Appellate Tax Board. Because the hearing began on Tuesday morning and was to continue through the week, Ms. Resendes left the Island in the late afternoon on Monday, July 4, missing the parade and the fireworks.
After this week’s testimony, the hearing will be interrupted for two weeks and then resume.
Mr. Graham, who owns 235 acres off Lambert’s Cove Road, went before the Appellate Tax Board in May to seek a reduction in his West Tisbury property taxes for fiscal years 2003 and 2004. Mr. Graham claims that the town’s assessed value of his property is not justified and has resulted in overpayment of property taxes in excess of $300,000.
Massachusetts law requires that all properties be assessed at 100 percent of the fair market value. Every three years, each town must complete a town-wide revaluation, which must be certified by the state before tax bills may be distributed.
A taxpayer who is not satisfied by the board’s review may appeal to the state Appellate Tax Board in Boston.
Firemen make up
the difference
The West Tisbury Volunteer Firemen’s Association has donated $15,000 to cover a shortage of funds to buy a new brush-breaker fire truck for the town. In April the town meeting voted two articles totaling $270,000 for the new truck, but the only bid to supply the truck was for $285,000. According to fire chief Manuel Estrella, the sole bidder, E.J. Murphy, is the only company that builds brush-breakers. Executive secretary Jen Rand said that six companies had requested bid packages, but at least one of the companies was interested only in offering financing to the town.
At their regular meeting last week, the selectmen voted unanimously to accept the bid from E.J. Murphy and to accept with thanks the gift from the firemen’s association.
Lotteries award Island Housing Trust properties
Two Island residents had the luck of the draw in two lotteries held recently for Island Housing Trust properties on Chappaquiddick and in Tisbury.
The property on Chappaquiddick is a one-acre lot. The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank agreed to donate a house it owns, which will be moved to its new location on Litchfield Road on Chappaquiddick.
Long-time Island resident Andrea Dellorusso’s name came up first in the lottery for the house and property. The Edgartown drawing was available to anyone making 120 percent of the median income. Ms. Dellorusso is the manager of the farm stand at Morning Glory Farm. A graduate of Edgartown School and the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, she also attended Norwich University and served in the U.S. Navy. Her partner, Lucas Riordan, is a plumber and heating contractor. The couple has a daughter, Summer.
Ms. Dellorusso will purchase the home for $240,000, and the Island Housing Trust will ground lease the property to her and her family for 99 years, with affordability restrictions.
The second property awarded by lottery is located off Stony Hill Road on Takemmy Path in Tisbury. The house was renovated by a non-profit developer, Good House Associates, headed up by Tony Nevin, and builder Tucker Hubble.
The Island Housing Trust plans to work on another nine houses in the next several months, in every Island town except Chilmark. Philippe Jordi, Island Housing Trust executive director, said that doing several small-scale scattered projects helps keep neighborhoods from being overwhelmed. “We always try to meet with the neighbors near the properties to hear their concerns and incorporate their suggestions into our permitting.”
Marijane Poole of Chilmark dies
The Times received news late yesterday that Marijane (Welch) Poole of Chilmark died earlier in the day at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. She was the widow of Matthew A. Poole.
There will be a graveside service on Sunday, July 10, at 2 pm, at Abel’s Hill Cemetery in Chilmark.
A full obituary will be published at a later date.
|
