Edgartown selectmen set July 12, for a public hearing about a vicious dog complaint. Catherine Bonham filed a complaint saying she was bitten by a pit bull as she walked on Tarkiln Path, a Land Bank path along Boylston Drive. Kyle Byrne owns the dog. After investigating the incident, animal control officer Barbara Prada recommended to the selectmen that Mr. Byrne post a $100 bond for one year, order permanant restraint for the pit bull and another dog for the rest of the dogs’ lives, and erect an escape proof fence around the property, to be inspected and approved by the animal control officer.
Plans to expand the airplane hangar at Katama Airport have been grounded. Selectmen were informed that the state’s Executive Office of Environmental affairs, in a letter to the conservation commission, said it carefully considered the town’s plans, backed by a $1.85 million grant award.
“We conclude the expansion of the airport facilities is specifically prohibited, and therefore not permissible,” wrote Robert O’Connor, director, Division of Conservation Services.
Selectmen discussed a request from the Edgartown Yacht Club to establish a second handicapped parking space near the club. Acting police Chief Tony Bettencourt said he informally surveyed the area and determined that adding another handicapped space would eliminate two parking spaces from the lot at the foot of Main Street. Selectmen agreed to keep the parking configuration as it is for this summer, and take a comprehensive look at the issue over the winter.
Richard and Judy Dimond appealed to the board to allow parking of their trailer in the town’s satellite parking lot on Dark Woods Road. Selectmen lauded Mr. Dimond’s efforts to haul junk cars off the Island as a valuable service to the town, but said they could not allow one business to use the lot, and deny others. Many commercial vehicles use the space during the winter, but police recently issued warnings advising owners they cannot use the space during the busy summer season. Town administrator Pam Dolby said she would investigate several possible solutions.
Reeve J. Moreau of Edgartown made an impassioned appeal to the board, after the police department rejected his application for a taxi driver’s license. He was turned down because of two convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and a suspended Maine driver’s license.
“My contention is these events happened 30 years ago,” Mr. Moreau said. “I currently have over 10 years of sobriety, I’m married, I have four children, I’ve had stable jobs.” Selectmen authorized Chief Bettencourt to grant the taxi license, if he is satisfied that Mr. Moreau has cleared up the problems with his invalid license.
