After months of debate, the Edgartown Select Board unanimously approved to transfer the Chappy Ferry license from longtime operators Peter Wells and Sally Snipes to current captain Brian Scall.
The decision allows Scall to officially take ownership of the ferry service, subject to approval of final legal review of documentation by town counsel. This will be the first time the ferry service has changed hands in nearly 20 years.
“The select board voted to transfer the ground lease and ferry license to Chappy Ferry LLC contingent upon final legal review,” James Hagerty, Edgartown town administrator, said in an interview with The Times.
Hagerty clarified in an interview that this means Edgartown town counsel will review the ground lease and ferry license agreement, and Scall will need to accept his obligation under the license agreement.
Arthur Smadbeck, select board member, introduced the Chappy Ferry license transfer agenda item, and all three board members said they were in favor of the transfer.
After the license transfer was approved, some members of the crowd were surprised by how quickly the decision was made.
One resident in the audience questioned: “Can you just explain what was just voted on?”
“We just voted to transfer the license to Brian,” said Smadbeck.
In an interview following the meeting, Scall said he always welcomes the residents’ input, highlighting that he’s met with a hundred people, including Chappaquiddick residents, to hear their opinions and ideas for the ferry.
The license transfer process was long and controversial, with some Chappaquiddick residents calling for more transparency to the ferry line’s operations and finances, especially with an unnamed group of investors backing Scall.
“I think people are very passionate about Chappy, about where they live, and their access,” Scall said. “That’s part of the reason why I’m interested in doing it. It’s to be my part of a solution for them.”
Scall also praised town officials.
“The amount of research, due diligence, that they have done through this process has been a lot more than people give them credit for,” Scall said. “It makes me feel good about the town that I live in.”
Wells, who has operated the ferry with Snipes for almost 20 years, said he was delighted by the select board’s decision.
Wells highlighted that he will still drive the ferry and added that he is confident with the ferry line’s future in Scall’s hands.
“I see in him the energy I had 50 years ago,” said Wells.