Sheriff's Meadow receives conservation restriction

By Susan Vaughn - November 22, 2006

Sheriff's Meadow Foundation has acquired an 11.4-acre conservation restriction on property on Indian Hill Road near Cedar Tree Neck, foundation officials and conservation commission members reported to the selectmen last Wednesday.

Trudy Burke, Conservation Commission chairman, said the conservation commission approved an agreement with property owners Alan B. and Lynn E. Retik. The agreement allows no development on the parcel, which is 90 percent morainal woodland, and will protect scenic vistas and wildlife, and is a designated "priority habitat" for birds, Ms. Burke said.

"We feel it's a really important property," she said. The piece is within a 1,600-acre area of protected land, the second largest contiguous conservation area on the Island.

Dick Johnson, executive director of Sheriff's Meadow, said the property, with 726 feet along Indian Hill Road, is still private property, but limited public use will be allowed.

The selectmen also approved taxi fares and reduced gasoline surcharges for Mario's Taxi Service and Bluefish Taxi. The owners, Mario DeBari and Gary Davidson, respectively, agreed to remove the fuel adjustment charges until next June, since gasoline prices have dropped. The surcharges from the airport were $5 for up-Island towns and $2 for Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown.

In other business, the board appointed John Durfee to replace Dan Cabot on the personnel board, appointed David Savage as a reserve police officer, and accepted the resignation of Murray Frank on the planning board.