Tisbury selectmen Tuesday heard a business proposal from William Gately, a Boston businessman, who wants to operate Vine Rentals, a rental-car business he said would be able to provide cars at 50 percent less than the current rates.
Mr. Gately said he plans to base his business at 95 State Road, which was previously a hair salon, and store his cars offsite. Mr. Gately (no relationship to Tisbury Officer Michael Gately) described a business model that would rely on older-model cars, a smartphone app, and a Philippines-based concierge service where employees would provide information and directions for Island visitors.
For the most part, selectmen had few questions, but wanted more details.
Mr. Gately told selectmen of his experience late last September, when he came to the Island to entertain some visitors at his Vineyard Haven condo. Mr. Gately said his visitors faced $200 to $300 fees to rent a car. That experience ignited his interest in starting an alternative service for those not looking to pay high fees.
“I thought this was extraordinary,” Mr. Gately said. “We ended up walking or getting a cab to our tournament.”
Mr. Gately said he would own the cars outright. The cars would be inspected and certified, but would appeal to customers who are looking to pay less and are willing to drive a used car.
He expects the cost of a midsize vehicle, like a Ford Taurus, Cherokee, or Renegade, to run about $49 per day.
The customer would also get a personal concierge who will stay with that rental car for the length of the rental. Based on a model Mr. Gately uses with his South Boston–based pizza store, Mangia Neapolitan Pizzeria, the car-rental company would utilize a staff of employees based off-Island.
“We have a staff of employees in the Philippines, and we employ disadvantaged women there who might not otherwise have jobs,” Mr. Gately said. “We give them housing, computers, phone access, and above–average minimum wage in the Philippines, which fortunately, for the level of service we’re providing, still allows us to give much more service in today’s day.”
He said the employees can help with “anything from a problem they might have with a rental, helping them book a restaurant reservation, finding out what was voted the best ice cream on the Island, where to sign up for the Derby,” and it will be only a text message or a phone call away.
Mr. Gately said the off-Island staff would be able to research questions through the use of websites and all available brochures.
Rental reservations would be made over a mobile phone app, allowing the process to be done prior to the customer reaching the Island.
The selectmen agreed that more detail regarding the impact of the business was necessary. Mr. Gately said he would submit a formal application to the board.
In other business Tuesday, town administrator Jay Grande said Tisbury has submitted the legislation necessary for putting the Department of Public Works back under selectmen’s control to State Rep. Tim Madden, who will be submitting it on the town’s behalf.
Mr. Grande said the town hopes to submit a grant application in June through the Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative for funds to place rooftop-mounted solar panels on the Emergency Services Facilities.
Mr. Grande also provided an update regarding the Beach Street roadwork scheduled to begin Tuesday. The project was postponed, with little public notice early Tuesday morning, until the fall.
The project was initially postponed when it became clear to Eversource they did not have all of the approvals required from property owners.
Then there were some concerns about traffic flow, particularly concerning the effect on the Vineyard Transit Authority and emergency response services.
Eversource now plans to complete the construction in early fall, and the town has recommended to the Department of Transportation that a nighttime schedule be pursued to reduce traffic interruption.
Selectmen Tuesday voted to continue a public hearing on Bruno’s rate increase for curbside trash and recycling services to 6 pm on June 16.
They also voted to approve a Common Victualler’s License application for Fella’s on Union, and license renewals for the auto-rental companies Hertz and AA Island Auto Rentals.
Selectmen appointed Edouard “Beau” Begin to the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group board of directors, and approved a pay raise for Police Sgt. Christopher Habekost. Selectmen voted to approve Tisbury Waterways and Felix Neck’s proposal to install medallions that bear a conservation message on Main Street storm drains.
At the end of the meeting, the selectmen voted to go into executive session.