The Edgartown selectmen heard plans to replace three failing spruce shade trees with three new cherry trees at 77 Peases Point Way South, owned by Barbara and Michael Weinblatt. The shade tree hearing was continued Monday from last week’s meeting, while selectmen waited to hear the replacement plans from the Weinblatts’ agent, Lil Province.
Ms. Province said the owners would place a privet hedge in front of the three new cherry trees. The Weinblatts chose the cherrys, she said, because they had owned the property next door, where there are also cherry trees.
“I think it’ll help contribute to Pink and Green Weekend,” selectman Michael Donaroma, who owns a landscape business, said. “They do bloom around that time.” Ms. Province agreed to have the new plantings in place by June 30.
Doug and Jackie Korell, owners of Katama General Store, attended Monday planning to discuss a hoped for license to sell alcohol at the seasonal store, but the conversation soon turned to parking. In November, the Korells razed the original store building, built in 1958, and are currently overseeing construction of a new store on the site. Parking was a major issue atl property when the Korells bought it. Customers parked in front of the building, making things very tight for vehicles pulling in and out.
Ms. Korell brought plans showing spaces for bicycles in front of the new building, preventing vehicles from parking there.
“We thought of putting planters out front, rocks,” Ms. Korell said. The selectmen asked the owners to meet with highway superintendent Stuart Fuller to figure out the best way to fix the situation, since it may involve altering the sidewalk in front of the business.
Town administrator Pam Dolby reminded the selectmen that the plans that went before the town’s zoning board of appeals featured parking in back of and alongside the store.
“I want it to look pretty, I want it to be functional, and mostly I want it to be safe,” Ms. Korell told the selectmen. The Korells agreed to meet with Mr. Fuller soon, and the selectmen approved the liquor license.
Edgartown resident Michael McNabb came to the selectmen for a solution to the flooding that occurs on his property at 77 Pine Street. Mr. McNabb told the selectmen that when it rains, water flows into his yard “like a river,” and it is entering his house. He said he wasn’t angry, but rather wants to find a solution.
“It’s making my downstairs unusable,” Mr. McNabb said. “There’s mold under all the mattresses and furniture; I’m concerned it’s a health hazard.”
Mr. Fuller said the slope of the property encourages water to run toward the house. He cited the recent heavy rain and suggested an asphalt berm be used in the short term. He said his department is entering its busiest season, but he would tackle a better, long-term solution in the fall. Mr. McNabb said he didn’t want an asphalt berm on his property.
Mr. Fuller suggested an earthen berm for now, and possibly another storm drain added at the street in the fall.
“Rather than make a hasty decision today,” Ms. Dolby said, “Stuart needs to look into it, and we have to check into the town’s liability.”
The selectmen said they were satisfied that Mr. Fuller and Mr. McNabb would come up with a solution.
