Tisbury launch ramps promised for Fourth
By Rebecca Rattner - June 22, 2006
Reconstruction of the only two public boat launch facilities in Tisbury will be completed before the start of the busy July 4 holiday weekend. That is the optimistic news for Island boaters, from state and local officials.
At the Lagoon Pond launching facility off Beach Road, in addition to a new launch ramp, the existing pier is being replaced with a longer L-shaped dock, and the parking lot is also being rebuilt. The Massachusetts Public Access Board (PAB) paid for the project. The contract was awarded to UEL contractors for $645,990, and the plan has been changed to add water and electricity service, but that's at the town's expense. Work on the Lagoon Pond ramp began two months ago.
Brickstone Construction works on the Lagoon Pond launch ramp. Photo by Ralph Stewart
According to Tisbury town administrator John Bugbee, the PAB refused to pay for the installation of water and electricity. "Water and electricity are important for boaters," he said. "They are an important element of the plan. The town has stepped up and decided to fund it, because we feel that it is important for the voters to have these resources."
On Tuesday, Jay Sonia of Brickstone Construction, a subcontractor on the project, was busy working in an excavator. "The only thing that's slowed us down is the rain," he said. "Everything is going to be great and on time."
Yesterday, workers were busy placing concrete pads in place to form a new ramp for the smaller Tashmoo launch ramp at the end of Lake Street. The Tashmoo repairs were not as extensive as at the Beach Road ramp.
Tidal action washed away the base beneath the concrete ramp at Tashmoo, causing it to collapse. Fortunately, much of the collapsed section was above low tide level, making its removal and repair less difficult.
The deadline for the completion of the Lagoon Pond launch ramp is June 30.
