The Edgartown board of selectmen fast-tracked replacement of three telephone poles and wiring in midtown Edgartown, a project long delayed by Eversource, the Island’s energy provider.
Selectmen Margaret Serpa and Arthur Smadbeck took what they termed “an unusual action” following comment by general contractor Gary Conover and electrical contractor Robert Young that Eversource has been unresponsive to six months of entreaty to replace the equipment so the contractors can complete a renovation and rebuild at the Sydney Hotel at the intersection of North Water and Winter streets before the summer season begins. Selectman Michael Donaroma was absent from the meeting.
“Bob Young has been pushing Eversource since November. In January they drew up a plan. But they told us they have only one person to handle these projects for the Cape and Islands, and they are backed up from winter storms. They have tentatively scheduled a meeting for May 7,“ Conover said.
The board’s approval followed assertions by Young and Conover that they were now racing the clock to complete the project before the summer season because of Eversource delays. “There have been [power] problems on North Water Street. Replacing the poles and wiring will increase the size of poles, create more power, and save us time,” Young said.
Conover and Young submitted letters of support for the wire and pole replacement project from abutters. One neighbor, longtime resident and business owner Carol Fligor, appeared at the meeting in support. “We’ve had power problems, as have the Kelley House and others. The wiring is in terrible condition,” she said.
Serpa wasted no time with a motion to approve. “I’ve done my homework on this. We’ll be starting the in-town shuttle soon, and getting this work done beforehand is important. We don’t want the streets clogged up,” she said.
Smadbeck also voted to approve the work, noting that the selectmen’s action “is a little unusual. Generally, we would usually hold a public hearing on it,” but it’s time-sensitive.
Young said Tuesday he would go back to Eversource with the board’s green light in hopes of timely repair scheduling.
In other major action, selectmen took under advisement a proposal from the Martha’s Vineyard Taxi Co. seeking rate adjustments, and for permission to add a metered-fare system to the existing flat-rate taxi charges now in place.
The metering proposal came from Michael Mszanski, vice president of M.V. Taxi, and engendered 15 minutes of engaged discussion, mostly from other cab companies, during a public hearing before the board of selectmen.
Most of the discussion by other taxi owners centered on understanding the metering plan and its possible impact on their business. Melaney West, owner of Stagecoach Taxi, expressed reservations and opposition to the plan; Califfe Singh, owner of Adam Cab, expressed interest in the idea.
Serpa and Smadbeck encouraged the company to reach out to other taxi companies and to meet with the Edgartown Police Department for input. “This is a public hearing, designed to gather information and input. Talk with the other taxi companies and with the police department, whose input we value,” Serpa said.
“You need to get buy-in,” Smadbeck added.
On Tuesday, Mszanski told The Times that M.V. Taxi, Stagecoach, and Adam Cab would meet on Wednesday with Edgartown Police Chief Bruce McNamee in an effort to present a unified voice.
Mszanski said the metering plan is designed to assure passengers that rates are systematic, not whimsical, and that the looked-for rate adjustments would produce a minimal overall increase. “Some rates go up, some go down; overall, the rate impact is less than inflation,” he said.
“Many customers feel there is no regulation. They don’t understand that different towns have different rate structures. For example, a ride from the Steamship to Winnetu [in Katama] could cost $22, but cost $30 for the return trip,” he said.
“We meter by time or distance, never both at the same time. The system would have no impact on large 15-passenger vans, which include multiple stops and dropoffs,” he said.
“We’ve tested the system for six months. Customers feel comfortable watching the meter. It’s a credible system for customers: Here’s what it costs, and why. It’s been overwhelmingly positive in terms of building customer relationships, and an opportunity for movement to consistent pricing Island-wide,” he said.
In other action, selectmen approved contracts for the annual Fourth of July fireworks display, and approved new construction at the Seafood Shanty restaurant on Edgartown Harbor and extension of its existing liquor license to an additional area on its premises.
The metering would be nice assuming that it removes the charges for how many passengers in the car.
So, to be clear, this MV Taxi guy brought a great proposal to the selectmen and nobody had any negative comments, but instead of voting on it, they make him fight the other companies? What other business works that way?
The biggest problem people have with Island taxis is the Pool system without a discount. If I hail a taxi, I dont want to go out of my way to drop someone else off AND pay the same price as going direct to my destination!! Why is each party paying full price?! I have counted the money collected on one trip to be be over $100 for one trip from VH Steamship to Katama because of 4 stops! Piling in with others at Steamship terminal is the craziest taxi system I have ever seen! Uber works great!
You are 100% correct. The taxi’s with the license to park at the boat gouge passengers by charging multiple fares. If 6 people in the same family went to Katama, its one price. If 3 couples go, its 3 separate fares. When I was in college I did some part time driving for an Edg cab company (which did not have one of the lucrative spots by the Island queen in OB) so we did not benefit from this. I’d suggest if you want a cab, pick up a phone and order one, or take a Uber. These cabs are their own worst enemies with respect to customer service. Also another ‘gouge’ is when a Tisbury or Oak Bluff based cab drops their fares in Edgartown for the day, they attempt to get the passengers to ‘prepay’ for a return trip at the end of the day by insinuating that there will be no cabs available in Edg for the return trip. So once the cab company has the tourist’s money, that tourist has to sit and wait , all at the mercy of the cab company. I think meters are a good thing and I’d like to see it implemented. (I know that some cabs used to charge extra for a long ride down a dirt road and they are entitled to that since it basically removes the cab from service on that long slow trip off the main road) But if I pay for a cab fare, I want my own cab unless its a pool discount. Other than that, its easier to take the bus.
When taxi drivers decide creative pricing does not show a return, they’ll stop.