Tisbury fire protection rating improves

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The Insurance Services Organization (ISO) upgraded Tisbury’s rating for fire protection resources from a five to a three, in the area covered by the municipal water system, Fire Chief John Schilling told The Tisbury selectmen at a meeting Tuesday.

ISO collects data on fire station locations, protection-area boundaries, emergency dispatch centers, fire department resources, and water-system capabilities. It rates towns from 1 to 10, with 1 being the best. Mr. Schilling said insurance companies use the ISO ratings for marketing, underwriting, and to establish fair premiums for homeowners and commercial fire insurance.

“Property owners and commercial property owners in the town of Tisbury should be realizing a reduction in their property insurance rates based upon this excellent rating,” Chief Schilling said. He credited the finance and advisory committee and taxpayers for making it possible by supporting investments in improvements to the fire and water departments over the past decade.

In the selectmen’s discussion session, Vineyard Haven resident Marie Laursen pitched the idea of creating a town traffic mitigation committee. Town administrator Jay Grande said he would work with her on a proposal to bring back to the selectmen.

In other business, the selectmen voted to approve a request from assistant town administrator Aase Jones to hold a contest for artwork for this year’s town report cover and to award the winning entrant $100.

The selectmen also approved several common victualler’s license renewals and a public amusement license for the Capawock Theatre, so it could be used as a venue for other types of performances in addition to movies.