<p>More traffic officers, more signs, more street painting and additional monitoring cameras are all short-term fixes suggested by the Edgartown planning board for traffic issues created by the long line of vehicles waiting to board the ferry.
More traffic officers, more signs, more street painting and additional monitoring cameras are all short-term fixes suggested by the Edgartown planning board for the traffic issues created by the long line of vehicles waiting to board the Chappaquiddick ferry on busy summer days.
Planning board members made the recommendations at the selectmen’s Monday meeting.
Simpson’s Lane residents say the traffic on their street blocks driveways and limits access to their homes.
Chairman Michael Donaroma noted a number of the recommendations are already in the works, but that did not completely satisfy one resident of the narrow roadway.
“Hopefully the neighbors can continue to work with us,” Mr. Donaroma said.
“We’re not going to continue for long,” warned Dudley Cannada, who owns properties at 44 and 50 North Water street which have driveways on Simpson’s Lane. “We don’t see a real solution here. We’re stuck in our houses sometimes for 30 or 40 minutes. We’re not going to have patience any more.”
Planning board chairman Michael McCourt said his board held four public hearings, and came up with some high priority recommendations, including putting two traffic officers on Simpson’s Lane to oversee the line. Also labeled a high priority were new signs, curb painting to indicate where vehicles can wait, and where they cannot block driveways.
For the long term, the planning board recommended the town hire a consultant to observe the summer traffic. The board offered to fund part of the cost.
Town administrator Pam Dolby suggested another option.
“For the $384,000 we pay the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, maybe their traffic consultants could come over here,” she said.
Chappaquiddick Ferry co-owner Peter Wells said he has installed two new cameras to monitor traffic on Simpson’s Lane, which will soon be accessible to the public through the ferry website.
Highway superintendent Stuart Fuller said he will begin painting new lines on the street this week, weather permitting.
Mrs. Dolby said the police department will have enough summer officers to devote staff to the ferry line.
Also Monday, selectmen appointed a new committee to study alternatives to a mobile phone tower on Chappaquiddick. Selectmen named Chappaquiddick resident Woody Filley as chairman, and residents Roger Becker, Jonathan Cobb and Robert Gurnitz as members. Also named to the committee was Trustees of the Reservations superintendent Chris Kennedy. Edgartown information technology manager Adam Darack will serve as a town liaison to the committee.
In May, selectmen awarded a contract to Grain Communications of Sarasota, Fla., granting the company the right to build a mobile phone communications network on Chappaquiddick and sign up carriers to provide service. The contract did not specify a tower or any specific technology, and the company would be responsible for obtaining a special permit, after public hearings, from the planning board.
In other business, selectmen approved new taxi regulations that will apply to ride-sharing companies like Uber. Under the new regulations voted by the selectmen, Uber drivers in Edgartown will have to comply with the same regulations as licensed taxi drivers. Drivers will have to undergo a criminal background check and have their vehicles inspected by Edgartown police. They will be under the same requirements for insurance and licensing.
Selectmen also accepted a letter from police chief David Rossi, in which he resigned his elected post on the Edgartown school committee. Selectmen have placed advertisements seeking candidates. Letters of interest must be submitted by July 2. Selectmen and remaining members of the school committee will choose a new school committee member on July 13 to fill out the remainder of Mr. Rossi’s term.
Comments
I have LONG been of the
Ed MVI have LONG been of the belief, That NO town roads, by-ways etc. that are public ways, to which the public has a right of access, should EVER be utilized to subsidize a private business, in this case, the Chappy Ferry. These property owners certainly should never have their drives blocked by the staging of vehicles for said private business. Perhaps if you stop charging these residents any property taxes and charge the ferry owner 5 million or so a year for utilizing town roads, police officers, causing a dangerous situation where an ambulance or fire truck will never get through etc. Another thing I have always thought grossly unfair, is making taxpaying, Chappy residents......Edgartown taxpayers, wait among tourists and everyone else just to get the ferry HOME. They, as residents should be able to bypass any such line and drive right on for being a local taxpaying citizen! This was not so bad when it was just Dagett Street, but the expansion to Simpsons Lane should have never been allowed. Be thankful I do not live on Simpsons lane, as I would be gathering my neighbors for a big lawsuit based on the town allowing private enterprise to benefit/profit from using town roads & property, which does not pass any smell test whatsoever. Only on MV......
So the suggestion is to
Skeptical OBSo the suggestion is to prohibit the use of public roads to 'subsidize' private businesses (which also pay taxes)? So customers of all Island businesses would be prohibited from using the public roads and parking lots? How would you get to the grocery store then?
It sounds like you think that Chappy residents should wear armbands that proclaim their right to cut all lines of the unwashed masses waiting to cross the channel. That sounds downright elitist. Why not just relax, and say hello to the other people waiting in line? You might make a new friend.
I am surprised that those residents have only now discovered that they live along the entrance to the ferry. That line has been there as long as I've been alive, and that's a long time. I'm sure that with some help from traffic officers the line of cars can be kept from blocking the resident's driveways. That's a whole lot better than suing everybody and wasting time and money (like at the airport).
You misunderstand my point.
Ed MVYou misunderstand my point. And no, that line has NOT been up Simpsons Lane forever. My entire childhood it was restricted to Dagett Street. The other examples you are listing ie: the VTA, driving etc. is silly. None of those businesses are BLOCKING access to private property, driveways etc. And, if you thing, when Simpsons Lane is fully staged with cars, that an ambulance or fire truck could get through there, well, that is just not possible. Most businesses needing such high and constant police assistance, are required to pay for a police detail. I guarantee if this situation was run through the State Ethics board, they would wonder who is getting paid for such an arrangement. No one else utilizes town public ways in this manner, affecting private property access. Comparing it to a parking lot? you just don't see the problem I guess. Go there on a summer day and actually have a look and see for yourself. Then imagine a priority 1 ambulance run and a fire in the middle of that mess and let me know how you think that will work out.
Sadly, the troubles of the
JAF wishing I was on MVSadly, the troubles of the mainland (hustle and bustle, what's mine is mine, etc.) have come to the Vineyard, I see.
Guess you better quit driving
Cap Hathaway MVGuess you better quit driving to work then.
Ed, Mv gets it. This is a
CF MVEd, Mv gets it. This is a private for profit MA business that is allowed to impact MA public ways. What is it going to take for the town to realize that allowing this parking lot on one of Edgartown's most narrow in town streets is a complete danger and nightmare to the residents and guests of this town. Does someone need to be killed by an over sized truck and trailer or a resident/guest of one of the homes die as a result of suffering a medical emergency and the town not being able to respond in a timely manner? If the town enforced MA driving laws for public ways it would be impossible to stop a vehicle on Simpsons Lane at any time except for maybe a pedestrian or stop sign. First of all, the Chappy Ferry owner should be paying for police details for any public ways that he impacts. If a resident/guest operates an event in town that impacts public ways they are given a bill by the police department - not the Chappy Ferry - why are they getting a free ride and why are there two sets of rules in Edgartown - especially when one is to ASSIST a for profit business? It's time the town steps in and demands that the Chappy Ferry owner number one pays for all police details and number two devises a long term system to get passengers and vehicles to his ferry that does not adversely impact ANY public ways in town. The ferry owner should look into an off site staging area and better yet a reservation system to bring the traffic to his boats. Reservation systems for small ferries are successfully used all over the world....residents/guests would be able to book and pay for their trips all year round. It's a win/win for the Chappy Ferry owner (he collects his fees in advance), the town (limits liability-keeps the historic town looking beautiful) and the residents and guests (people can plan ahead and be able to peacefully enjoy everything Edgartown has to offer). Public ways would no longer be used as virtual parking lots and visitors to this beautiful, international world wide resort town would be able to enjoy all that Edgartown has to offer - sitting in a 2 hour ferry line is probably not one of the top reasons that people visit Edgartown. It's time to get out of the stone ages, stop enabling a private business to profit at the residents/guests expense and bring Edgartown into the modern world where mobile phones, tablets, laptops, kiosks and more are used to reserve everything from a pet sitter to a plane ride. This is not complicated. Often times, change is a VERY good thing - this is one of those times. In the short term for this summer (while the off site and or reservation system is being worked out for 2016) when the line is full to capacity at the top of Daggett Street vehicles should be made aware there is more than a half hour wait and be told to come back at another time.
The VTA buses are operated by
BS OBThe VTA buses are operated by a private business. Should we restrict them as well?
Build a bridge!
JD EdgartownBuild a bridge!
Following the crisis of
T Ryan ConnecticutFollowing the crisis of chappy is worthy of comedy central. From the crisis of the house move, to the breach at Norton point, to cell towers, to the ferry service, it's just the ultimate. For all residents complaining on both sides of the harbor here is a solution.... Ready. Put your money where your mouth is and build a bridge. You know the metal structures that rise out of the water and allow cars to go over them. There is even an invention called a draw bridge you might have seen it in vineyard haven it's amazing technology. Honestly if you hate the ferry and hate the long lines open your wallets do something about it. Reach deep into your family trusts and endowments and do something with it. Make a difference while your still here and you can sip your Dom overlooking a new structure that solved a problem. Can't wait for the next issue of chappy crisis..
No, underwater tunnel would
Steve ZissouNo, underwater tunnel would be better. Better yet, commuter air service. Or, why not just fill in the harbor and make chappy and mv into one big island!
Do you have a proposed budget
Brad Woodger ChappyDo you have a proposed budget? I'm just guessing here that the expense of a bridge far exceeds the value of the purpose served. These overly facile solutions are just lazy suggestions of armchair critics.
And yes, there is a good amount of absurd humor to be found in goings-on of Chappy, just as there is in most towns, big and small. But there is also a certain gravity to the issues that defy simple scoffings.
Personally, I've grown weary of the uninformed opinions of on-lookers, and their smug solutions to some very real problems for those of us that truly love our home - this little sometime-island Chappy.
How about a tunnel?
Horace Luffato ChappyHow about a tunnel?
Why not pay an officer to
Paul W ChappyWhy not pay an officer to walk up and down Simpson's Lane and hand out tickets to waiting drivers who block driveways, play loud music and leave engines running? The line only moves every five minutes, plenty of time to spot infractions and enforce regulations. Just a thought...
Add new comment