Tisbury selectmen extend Main Street parking limits

By Janet Hefler - January 19, 2006

In response to a store owner's plight, the Tisbury board of selectmen voted at a meeting Tuesday night to extend the one-hour parking restrictions on Main Street in Vineyard Haven to seven days a week. The area of restricted parking includes Main Street from Brickman's up to the M.V. Bagel Authority.

After a brief public hearing, the selectmen approved the new parking regulations, which will take effect as soon the Tisbury Department of Public Works (DPW) obtains and posts new signs, estimated to take three to four weeks.

The selectmen tightened up the parking regulations after Doug Johnson, owner of Kennedy Studios, told them two weeks ago that he was losing business because other Main Street store employees park in front of his store all day on Sundays, blocking access for his customers.

Also on the selectmen's agenda was a joint meeting with the DPW commissioners for an update on current and future town projects. Fred LaPiana, Tisbury's DPW director, said plans are underway to obtain an easement across the I.E.P. property on Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road that is critical to constructing a connector road to State Road.

Regarding downtown Vineyard Haven, the DPW commissioners plan to request funds through a spring town meeting warrant article for placement of electrical wires underground on Union Street. Sidewalks, a pocket park and new signage will complete the Union Street makeover. The next paving project will target Main Street from Woodlawn Avenue to Fairfield Avenue.

Turning to unfinished business, the selectmen interviewed and appointed John Jones, an independent businessman, and Thomas Rabbit, who works in the restaurant business, to a committee that will examine the pros and cons of beer and wine sales in Tisbury restaurants.

At the request of fire chief John Schilling the selectmen appointed retired fire chief Richard Clark as the municipal hearing officer, a new position required by a state law for building code enforcement through a ticketing process. Mr. Clark will receive a $2,500 stipend from fines collected and will serve through June 2007.

In other department reports, harbormaster Jay Wilbur warned that mooring holders who did not pay their 2005 bills will be issued citations, in addition to fines and removal of their moorings.

Based on recommendations in shellfish constable Derek Cimeno's report, the selectmen approved an increase in the daily limit for commercial scallopers from 3 to 5 bushels, to allow them to make up for time lost to bad weather.

To liven up this year's town report, town administrator John Bugbee proposed a contest to choose artwork for the cover. The selectmen gave Mr. Bugbee the go-ahead to work out the contest details, which will be announced soon.