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Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
July 28 - August 3, 2005 Edition
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in Brief July 21, 2005 House at Five Corners readied for a short sea voyage Island residents may remember the ancient empty house now being dismantled near Five Corners as Ed Griggs’s Island Music, with quaint rooms full of musical instruments. The building belongs to Ralph M. Packer Jr., who has contracted Nick Willoughby, 24, for the partial demolition and stabilization of the structure, as well as the building’s eventual restoration. According to Mr. Willoughby, the house was built around the turn of the 19th century, one of several houses ranging north along the Vineyard Haven harbor shore, with lawns stretching in places down to the water. Sometime in October the well-braced house will be moved down toward the Black Dog Tavern along Beach Road Extension, and barged across the harbor to the foundation that was prepared for it several years ago on Mr. Packer’s Tisbury Wharf Company property. “It’s the most cost effective way to do it,” Mr. Willoughby said. Mr. Willloughby said that over a three-year period it would be restored with sensitivity to historical detail and appearance. “Everything gets saved,” he said, standing next to a pallet of neatly stacked antique bricks that once made up part of the foundation. “They used beach sand mortar,” Mr. Willoughby said, “so the bricks clean up real nice.” Mr. Willoughby, son of Paul Willoughby, an Island mason and stoneworker, is a self-professed local history buff who said the building predates almost everything near it, and at one time was waterfront property. He mentioned a web site of interest, www.history/vineyard.net, by Stan Lair, a storehouse of Island archival material. When finished, the house will become waterfront office space. Plans are now afoot to have Maynard Silva paint a sign explaining the project to the multitude of curious passersby. Two-day tax holiday approved by Governor Sales tax will take a two-day summer vacation on August 13 and 14, under a bill signed into law by Governor Mitt Romney last Friday. For those who have been waiting to buy that new air conditioner, gas grill or any other item costing up to $2,500, the two-day tax holiday exempts the five percent sales tax. There is no limit on the tax-free amount each customer can purchase, either, as long as each item costs $2,500 or less. However, that does not mean that when an item exceeds $2,500, the sales price is reduced by the threshold amount. For example, a $3,000 item will be taxed on the full amount, not just the amount that exceeds $2,500. Clothing purchases present another complication, as there is usually no sales tax on clothing unless the sales price exceeds $175. So, if a bride-to-be purchases a wedding dress for $2,550, exceeding the threshold, the amount subject to tax would be the price minus the first $175, which make tax due on $2,375. Excluded from tax-free shopping are motor vehicles, motorized boats, utility payments, tobacco products and meals. However, that still leaves mopeds, motorized bicycles or vehicles incapable of speeds in excess of 12 miles per hour available to purchase without sales tax, as well as canoes, kayaks, rowboats and other type of watercraft with no mechanical propulsion. Rentals of tangible property except motor vehicles and motorboats also are eligible for the sales tax exemption, even if the rental period covers days before or after the holiday, providing payment is made in full during the sales tax weekend. For special orders or Internet orders that involve a later shipping date, as long as the items are paid for in full sometime on August 13 or 14, they are exempt from the sales tax. The law also provides a safeguard for indecisive shoppers, allowing them to purchase an item during the sales tax holiday and later exchange it for the same or a similar item at the same price. No tax is due, even if the exchange takes place after August 14. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue estimates that consumers will save more than $14 million in sales taxes and generate about $300 million in sales for retailers, a winning combination for Vineyard shoppers and storeowners alike. MVC denies Oak Bluffs hotel expansion The Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) turned down Jack E. Robinson’s proposed expansion project for his Martha’s Vineyard Hotel and Racquet Club on New York Avenue in Oak Bluffs. This was the second time in 12 months that Mr. Robinson’s expansion plans, which underwent review as a development of regional impact, were denied by the commission. Mr. Robinson’s initial proposal called for a 19-room expansion, which the commission denied last year. The MVC advised him to return with a scaled-back plan, and Mr. Robinson returned this year with the expansion revised to add eight guest rooms and two employee rooms, instead. The commissioners denied the project on the basis that the inn’s size, which would almost double, would not be in keeping with the character of its Oak Bluffs neighborhood. Circus Smirkus banner is stolen Photo by JJ Gonson A large banner announcing the arrival of the Circus Smirkus in Edgartown this weekend disappeared from a fence next to the Edgartown School earlier this month. The banner had been loaned to the school fund raising committee to help publicize the circus. Susan King, a member of the committee said committee members were hoping that whoever took the banner would return it but that did not happen. The cost of the banner will now have to come out of the proceeds she said. Anyone with any information on the banner is asked to call the Edgartown School at 508-627-3316. The Circus will be performing on the grounds of the Katama Farm on July 29, 30 and 31. Sunday night fire in Oak Bluffs A fire in a detached garage behind the Vineyard House I in Oak Bluffs on Sunday night brought traffic to a standstill as firefighters blocked off the area to stage their equipment. The cause of the fire is under investigation. According to Capt. Tony Ferreira of the Oak Bluffs Fire Department, Jean Downing, a nearby resident, called in the fire at 7:32 pm. When they arrived, firefighters determined that the blaze had started on the outside of the garage, which is located only about two feet from the main house and is close to a house next door. Wary of the possibility of an explosion from gasoline and small engines stored inside the garage, the firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze quickly. “The guys did a great job,” the captain said. “The potential for a large fire and extension to the house next door was there, and they kept it from becoming something very big.” The Vineyard House is a rehabilitation center for men and women in the early stages of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. None of the six residents or staff members was injured in the fire. The facility is located diagonally across from the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital at the corner of Temahigan and Eastville Avenues. Its setting on the right side of the sharp curve leading to the Massachusetts State Police barracks left little room for the Oak Bluffs fire department to stage its three engines, rescue truck, and ladder truck. As a result, the area was closed to traffic, and as Captain Ferreira said, “Anything that happens on that road quickly causes backup.” He praised the Oak Bluffs police department for responding quickly to help with traffic management. The fire was contained and the firefighters left at 8:30 pm. The garage remains standing, with the damage confined mostly to the outside sheathing and shingles, and charred rafters inside. Tribe receives federal housing grant The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) will receive a federal block grant in the amount of $425,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The money is part of an annual funding mechanism used to maintain the housing units on tribal lands, according to tribal officials. According to a press release from the office of Senator Edward Kennedy, the funds will be used to maintain and modernize housing units for members of the tribe. The grant will also be used for crime prevention and public safety. “The grants announced today mean better housing for the Wampanoag and less vulnerability to crime.” Senator Kennedy said in a prepared statement. “I commend the tribe for its efforts to improve the quality of life for all its members. HUD’s assistance is timely and well-deserved.” Last week, the tribe agreed to pay the town of Aquinnah $11,000 for providing public safety services on tribal lands under the terms of a public safety agreement signed in 1995. Brief power outage in Edgartown Monday A brief power outage in downtown Edgartown Monday afternoon disrupted business. According to Michael Durand, approximately 400 customers lost power for an hour and a half, due to a problem with equipment located on a pole on Main Street. Alert to the problem, a “recloser,” a piece of equipment designed to prevent further damage to the system, “operated as it should,” said Mr. Durand, and shut down power. Oak Bluffs selectmen back second opinion on bridge Oak Bluffs selectmen Tuesday agreed unanimously to contribute $7,000 towards an engineering study of the Lagoon Pond drawbridge. Last week, Tisbury selectmen agreed to contribute an equal amount for a study of the bridge, a vital link between the two towns. The study, on top of studies already completed by MassHighway, comes at the request of the Lagoon Pond Drawbridge Committee even as MassHighway continues with plans to replace the drawbridge — first with a temporary structure, and then with a permanent bridge. The selectmen’s vote comes after months of disagreement about the need for another opinion. Opponents, including county engineer Steve Berlucchi, say another study would be a waste of money and provide little new information. Selectmen Duncan Ross, speaking in favor of the study, said it would not delay MassHighway. “Doing this one more study wouldn’t probably hurt anything,” he said. “It gives the committee the ability to say to the public, we looked at every single possible avenue that we could.” One man disagreed, and said the study was a waste of money and unnecessary expense. The selectmen’s meeting also provided an opportunity for Steamship Authorities to provide an update on plans to rebuild the Oak Bluffs ferry terminal. Marc Hanover, Steamship Authority Vineyard member and Wayne Lamson, SSA general manager, said that the $10 million plan to expand the terminal staging area along the North Bluff and renovate and utilize the town hall was in the water. The SSA officials said they would concentrate on needed repairs to the dock only. Selectmen thanked the Steamship Authority representatives for being “open and honest.” Kerry Scott, selectman and one of the chief opponents of the plan, said the boatline had “really listened to the people off Oak Bluffs.” The Oak Bluffs officials are now faced with the need to stabilize the North Bluff, rebuild and refurbish the public restrooms that are not handicap-accessible, and find a use for the town hall. In other business, John Breckenridge of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission presented a report and recommendations dealing with the safety of East Chop Drive, a popular scenic route overlooking Nantucket Sound to the Cape. The selectmen voted to ask MassHighway to prohibit “heavy traffic” from traveling along East Chop Drive, specifically the upper portion between Brewster and Munroe Avenues. “Heavy traffic,” is defined as class four and above – vehicles with a gross weight above 14,001 pounds or axel spacing over 20 feet. That definition could include commercial delivery trucks, refuse trucks, and buses. Mr. Breckenridge cited the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians as reasoning for the restriction. He also said home owners on the upper portion of East Chop Drive would not be affected by the ban because service vehicles and trucks could all access the houses from the existing back roads. Selectmen Roger Wey commented that heavy traffic could also be contributing to the deterioration of the bluff. In other business, the selectmen also approved recommendations from the Parking and Traffic committee. Approvals included prohibiting the parking of commercial vehicles on School Street, Chapman Ave., and East Chop Drive from 2 am to 6 am, and restricting the parking on Circuit Avenue Extension to 15 minutes. Oak Bluffs selectmen invite town residents to sound off The Oak Bluffs selectmen will devote their Tuesday, Aug. 9 meeting to hearing the questions, comments, and concerns of all Oak Bluffs residents, according to a press release. Selectman Duncan Ross will moderate the meeting for both voting and non-voting residents. Department heads will be on hand to field questions and to clarify town practices, bylaws, and customs. The meeting will begin promptly at 5 pm at the Oak Bluffs Senior Center on Wamsutta Avenue. Services planned for Josephine Hehre A memorial service will be held in the Trinity Episcopal Church on Ocean Avenue in Oak Bluffs on Saturday, July 30 at 11 am for Josephine Hehre of Oak Bluffs, who died on July 23 in Windemere Nursing Home. Burial will be private in West Tisbury Cemetery. Donations may be made in her memory to Vineyard Nursing Association, P.O. Box 2568, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or to the Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 2147, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs. Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information. |
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