A $28.4 million operating budget tops the warrants for Oak Bluffs special and annual town meetings Tuesday.
A $28.4 million operating budget tops the warrants for Oak Bluffs special and annual town meetings next Tuesday. Voters will consider changing town zoning laws to allow manufacturing and light manufacturing by special permit on commercially zoned property, vote on a complicated land swap to restore public access to the Windemere neighborhood near the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, and decide whether to purchase a mechanical beach rake for use on town beaches. They will also decide spending measures which include three new police cruisers for the police department, a new command vehicle for the fire department, and vehicles for the assessing department, shellfish department, and highway department.
A short two-article special town meeting is scheduled for the same night. The special town meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the high school Performing Arts Center, followed immediately by the annual meeting. Town moderator Jesse Law will preside. There are 32 articles on the annual warrant.
The 2017 operating budget represents a 4.5 per cent increase in spending over the previous year. It includes a 2.5 per cent cost of living adjustment for town employees.
Town administrator Bob Whritenour said school costs slightly decreased this year.
“We’re extremely fortunate that we have a slight reduction in the number of high school students,” he said. “In the past two years their budget has increased our local assessment in Oak Bluffs by 25 per cent. If that had happened again, we would be forced to have a [Proposition 2 1/2] override.”
The cost of the new fire station is reflected in a sharp increase in the payments on the town’s principal debt, which will increase to $2.2 million, up $680,677, or 44.1 per cent. The new debt is also reflected in increasing interest payments. Oak Bluffs has budgeted $620,413 for interest payments on the debt, a hike of 27.2 per cent.
Voters will decide whether to add $125,000 to the same amount voted last year, to contribute a total of $250,000 in matching funds toward a $1 million federal grant to replace a culvert that connects Farm Pond to the ocean.
A proposed zoning change to allow manufacturing and light manufacturing by special permit in the town’s zoned business district has already sparked debate and Michael Santoro, chairman of the selectmen, said he expects plenty of discussion at town meeting. The change would allow a group which wants to open a small distillery to make spirits, and pack it for shipment.
“It has to be by special permit,” Mr. Santoro said. “It’s not automatic. There are a lot of things that would have to happen. They would have to go before the planning board, it would probably have to go before the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.”
He said some long-established businesses within the commercial district may already be technically classified as light manufacturing,
“There’s a fine line,” he said. “It allows manufacturing of a product. There are people that are worried it could create problems for them.”
A series of three zoning changes is aimed at settling a long dispute over the entrance to the Windermere neighborhood near the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
The articles would essentially swap land to make the current road configuration a public way.
Approval of the articles “would provide the residents of the Windermere neighborhood with renewed access to their homes via a public way,” according to the executive summary printed in the warrant booklet. “The neighborhood had this access but lost it when the hospital was expanded and built over a portion of the existing public way.”
Mr. Santoro framed the land swap as a practical solution.
“It’s just correcting something that should have been done when the construction of the hospital took place,” he said. “The hospital is built on what was the extension road, so short of tearing down the hospital, there’s not much else that can be done.”
Voters will also be asked to accept new flood zone maps generated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The new maps add 166 acres of land 311 structures to the existing flood hazard zones. Property owners who were added to the flood zones are likely required to purchase flood insurance from the federal government, and those who were previously classified as a flood hazard may see mandatory insurance rates rise sharply.
If voters reject the maps, the town would face consequences. Property owners would not be able to purchase insurance from the national flood insurance program, and the town would not be eligible for federal funds for damage from ocean storms or other natural disasters.
The last article on the warrant was submitted by citizen’s petition. It asks voters to spend $40,052 to buy a mechanical beach rake for cleaning and grooming beaches, ball fields, and town parks.
An informal citizens beach committee backed the petition drive for the article; the committee has been openly critical of town officials and the condition of town beaches over the past several years. Committee members say the equipment would remove seaweed and small pebbles from the beaches, making them cleaner and more enjoyable for residents and visitors.
The town conservation commission opposes the purchase, saying among other things that use of the rake may not be allowed under state environmental rules, and that there is no plan or funding in place for which town department would house and operate the equipment. Selectmen have also been skeptical of the idea.
“I think more research has to go into it, more vetting needs to happen,” said Mr. Santoro. “There is no tractor to pull the beach rake. The state is very wary. I’m not sure the beach rake is the answer to fixing the beach.”
The police department will ask voters to approve $120,000 for replacement of three marked cruisers. The money is earmarked from the ambulance reserve account, which is funded from payments by insurance companies and patients to the town for ambulance transport.
The fire-EMS department is asking for $55,000 from the reserve fund to replace a command vehicle.
Also on the warrant is a request for $85,000 to buy a specially-designed rescue boat for use in bays, ponds and near shore. A motion from the floor to withdraw the request is now expected.
The Community Preservation Committee has proposed 13 separate projects to be funded from Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds, including:
• $61,130 that would allow the affordable housing committee to initiate title searches and property tests to find out if certain town owned lots can be used to establish affordable housing.
• $147,900 in CPA funds to replace lanterns along Sea View avenue with historically accurate fixtures.
• $125,000 to add to the same amount voted last year, for a total of $250,000 in matching funds toward a $1 million federal grant to replace the culvert that connects Farm Pond to the ocean.
The town election is Thursday, April 14. There are races for cemetery commissioner, planning board and school committee. Christopher Gibson is challenging Linda M. Wilson for her seat on the cemetery commission. Erik R. Albert, Abraham L. Seiman and William B. Vrooman are all vying for a five-year seat on the town planning board. Mr. Seiman is also challenging incumbent school committee member Lisa Anne Reagan for her seat.
Comments
What about using community
Art OBWhat about using community service to clean the beach. People pick up trash along the roads now so why not the beach?
With that headline, I was
LIsa Oak BluffsWith that headline, I was expecting some accurate information regarding the beach rake issue. The rake is the only proposal to actually address the horrible degradation of our beaches due to inappropriate dredge being dumped on them over the past years. It is not, as the article states, for removing "seaweed and small pebbles from the beaches" - !? Who doesn't like those? Goodness. Also, a selectperson saying "The state is very wary" about the use of a beach rake in entirely false, since they are used routinely on Nantucket and many beaches on the cape. I hope the citizens who actually USE our beaches come out in force to defend this small investment to restore them to the glory they once were, ironically pictured in this article. To see current pictures of the beach, see the petition, or come to town meeting! https://www.change.org/p/elizabeth-durkee-restore-and-maintain-the-publ…
I used one for the County
J. Baker Prospect MaineI used one for the County years ago and was told to get it off the beach by the Environmental police,
at the time was the game warden YOU CAN"T REMOVE SHELLS,ROCKS,BEACH GRASS or seaweed from the beach !
If the town wants a large fine and have a piece of useless stuff go for it,30 MILLION IN FINES TO PUT THE ROCKS BACK FOR ONE TOWN !
The statement that citizens
Jill Nelson Oak BluffsThe statement that citizens advocate the purchase of a beach rake to "remove seaweed and small pebbles" is inaccurate, misleading, and suggests that citizens concerned about our beaches, year round and seasonal residents alike, are a spoiled group who don't understand organic, natural features of a beach. The truth is that Oak Bluffs citizens are concerned about ROCKS, fist-size and larger ROCKS and various "dredge materials" dumped on the beach, material that has included chunks of rusty metal,glass and wood. Think I'm one of those effete seasonal whiners? Take a walk on the beach and see for yourself.
It is not credible for the Conservation Commission to say that the use of a beach rake "may not be allowed" under state environmental regulations. May not? Isn't the Commission's job to obtain definitive answers to such questions, via a few phone calls or some research?
The beach needs to be graded to improve aesthetics, access, and safety. Currently, beach-goers are required to scramble down a steep incline and then jump off a miniature cliff to get to the water. Why is it that Oak Bluffs residents desire for a beautiful, accessible and safe beach is treated as unreasonable? Enough of tired efforts to divide all of us who love and invest in this island and its beaches as year rounders vs seasonal residents. Finally, to suggest that the answer is more "research" and "vetting" by concerned citizens," absent the participation and commitment of the Conservation Commission, elected officials, and heads of relevant departments; publicly scheduled meetings; deadlines, and mostly important, open minds, sounds like yet another passing of the buck.
You know how many calls the
Buck Impasse vicinity of OBYou know how many calls the OB paramedics got for injured feet due to inappropriate dredge spoils last season? None. You know how many the got for heroin overdoses? Nope, I bet you don't. Here is another question for you. How many seniors went without a warm meal or needed medicines because a property tax bill took all of their modest income? Any answer? I thought not. This is a real year 'round community with very real problems. Problems magnified by vacation home owners and day trippers sucking resources dry. While the letters to the editor on this subject are written by professional influencers, the Citizens Beach Committee shows its true colors on its Facebook and moveon pages. Vicious and false attacks on government workers who are simply doing their job honestly and with courage. Spin that would embarrass Donald Trump. If a reader doesn't want to go to the source, the MVTV filmed and publicly available session where this group asked the experts their questions and got skewered (just google it), I'll give you a short cut to the who's wrong here question. Ask yourself this. Why would these folks put a ballot measure up for 40k to buy a big rake, and ignore the cost of the tractor to pull it and the drivers to drive the tractor and cost of sorting and disposing? Because they are dishonest. It would cost a LOT more. Three times as much? Who knows. And they dismiss environmental regulations as if they are no worry, just as those extra tens of thousands of dollars would be no worry. They are real worries. You get a quarter of the story, a lot of attacks, and a reminder that of how much you the voter owes them for their tax dollars. Nasty crowd. Vote no. And tell your elected leaders to stop wasting resources of time and staff on them.
You hit the nail on the head
J. Baker Prospect MaineYou hit the nail on the head,I ran one and they call it a rake
It is a screen pulled through the sand and you can't tow it over the
jetty's also! And your right about 250 thousand plus truck plus operator !
Are these the same "vacation
DownislanderAre these the same "vacation home owners and daytrippers" that dump millions of dollars into the pockets of business owners and island workers and the island economy every year? Those folks also donate millions to local charities that supoort senior services, hospice, community services, Vineyard House, libraries, etc. Is it too much to ask that the beach be clean, maintained and safely accessible? Answer=no.
I like the beach a lot. We
Senior Citizen OBI like the beach a lot. We would all like a nice beach. The handicap access would be nice too! I get mad at them for telling everyone how seventy percent of tax bills go off island and how they tell everybody as a threat that if they live here they only have money because they visit and spend there big money. It is mean in spirit and degrading. It also shows they do not know who votes in Oak Bluffs. The seniors do not make money selling stuff to them. They get their social security and the money from pensions if they are lucky. And they if they have been here since childhood and own a home they pay taxes on the home or if they rent to stay by their friends they pay rent. Those payments go up so much because of these seasonal residents. Also all the weekly renters. If you are a senior and your check is the same every month you should not pay for a thing that will make more people come here and buy homes or rent homes and drive up prices. If you are a business owner I understand if you support this for your business, but please, if every dollar you get pushes a senior out to sea, do you feel good about that? We don't need more tourists.
To the Town and residents of
Sylvia M Jackson AquinnahTo the Town and residents of Oak Bluffs and other beach lovers:
While I am not an OB resident, I must suggest it's possible to reach common ground (pardon the pun)! Yes, we should address several priorities without "spinning" truths. In regards to the Ink Well beach, let's start by acknowledging the improvements led by Marc Rivers last year as these were an impressive beginning: The sand quality has improved (between the jettys, that is); a new wheelchair for disabled access; clear signage and currently this section of the beach looks pristine. As for the other side, there are issues to be addressed: debris and a "cliff," remaining dirt(?)underneath the cleaner, newer sand mixed with possible unhealthy items. Something that is VERY problematic that hasn't been addressed are the Lifeguards that are not consistently paying attention, leaving young and old at risk for great harm. Prevention is essential and any Lifeguard knows they are not to take their eyes off the water! I have observed these "kids" last summer and it was disturbing to watch them with their backs turned and/or completely disregarding the people that had walked far onto the jetty and when they did acknowledge them, they walked over (?!?) instead of using standard protocol - their whistles. Public Safety should be a priority at any cost and maintain that safety with effective management and leadership!I digress.
ALL the above mentioned issues are MANAGEABLE! Perhaps there is a lack of effective and respectful communication between the Town of OB and it's residents regarding this beach issue. Everyone should be heard and receive replies that are honest, well-researched and respectful. We have people dying here and it's imperative that we address this crisis NOW as it is an epidemic. (Neglect brings chaos) Substance abuse; domestic abuse; and housing need our attention now! I love the Ink Well and I'm confident there can be a solution to cleaning and sustaining quality of the beach if the community remains diligent about their concerns and that the Town of OB listens and works to find a win-win resolution. These issues are manageable if both parties come to table with respect, facts and integrity! If you need a mediator, let me know! : )
Too much info here.
Xander Lee OBToo much info here.
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