<p>Edgartown selectmen responded to a threatened legal claim for damages from residents of Simpson’s Lane, who charge the town has created a nuisance and has taken their property rights by allowing the street to be used for the Chappaquiddick ferry waiting line.</p>
Edgartown selectmen responded to a threatened legal claim for damages from residents of Simpson’s Lane, who charge the town has created a nuisance and has taken their property rights by allowing the street to be used for the Chappaquiddick ferry waiting line.
The complaint dates to last fall. Edgartown attorney Ellen Kaplan, who represents a group of seven property owners on Simpson’s Lane, wrote in a Nov. 12 letter to selectmen that if the town does not respond by May 12, she plans to file a lawsuit which could include additional claims against the town.
The residents say the ferry line blocks driveways and prevents deliveries and emergency vehicles from getting to their homes. “Our clients have sustained damage, including the devaluation of each of the properties,” Ms. Kaplan wrote in the letter to the town. The letter did not specify a damage amount.
In a written response, released at the selectmen’s meeting Wednesday, the board outlined steps taken over 30 years to mitigate the traffic issues, including several actions taken over the past two years.
“We believe that we have taken positive measures to address the situation,” selectmen wrote to Ms. Kaplan. “We emphatically reject any claim that the town has permitted or allowed a public nuisance, or taking of any private property rights on Simpson’s Lane.”
Selectmen said they remain committed to working with the resident group to resolve the issues.
Comments
I have a house in the Katama
MarieI have a house in the Katama area but I walk in town quite a bit. The ferry staging is definately a detriment to the neighborhood.
In that tight area I don't know what the solution is. The people on Simpson definitely pay the price.
I'd ask the Gazette to take
deshandra brown mvI'd ask the Gazette to take it one step further: do tell us if the 7 property owners on simpsons lane who retained counsel bought their property before the line 'staged' on their street. Then we can decide if they have a reasonable complaint, or bought their homes knowing the street was a staging area.
absolutely agree. Simpsons
cindy chappyabsolutely agree. Simpsons has always been a staging site. These people moved in after the shiretown was dismantled and the developers created 7 dwellings. They can't claim they were uninformed when it has be a staging site for over a decade.
I ask and beg for the same
Edgartown Girl EdgartownI ask and beg for the same question to be answered. If you do a little research and see the homes built or bought on that street since it became a staging area, this wouldn't even be a news story.
You buy a property on that
will homeYou buy a property on that street. Then we can decide if you have a brain. A public road should not be a staging area. Let us stage the cars in your yard!
MOVE
charley callahan edgartownMOVE
It certainly is within reason
Peter EdgartownIt certainly is within reason for these residents to ask the town to consider other options for the staging area and I don't fault them, perhaps there is some compromise which can provide relief. Consider those living near an airport that grows from a few planes a day to several jets per day, often a tweak to takeoff patterns can help, maybe a lesson here. To those who say too bad that doesn't seem very "Vineyard" like.
So litigation is "Vineyard"
Deacon Perrotta Oak BluffsSo litigation is "Vineyard" like?
Simpson's Lane is a
Paul Condlin EdgartownSimpson's Lane is a designated public way, not a ferry staging area. To debate when a person purchased their property misses the point. They have the right of reasonable access to their home. This prolonged "police" problem is a failure of the town to adapt to challenging conditions. The Simpson's Lane staging area was an outdated model 10 years ago.
I have long said, the Town of
Island Born Edg.I have long said, the Town of Edgartown has NO business providing town owned streets for purposes of staging for a private business to profit from. Even if he ( the ferry owner) paid a substantial fee, which I am quite sure he does not, and further add in the cost of constant police/traffic control needed in a failed attempt to keep things moving, he is getting a pretty sweet deal. And no, Simpsons Lane has not always been used as a staging area. Daggett Street was always only used until the demand grew to todays numbers. It most certainly destroys Simpson Lane property values, access and the safety of all who live there. It is all good until something bad happens. A miracle it hasn't happened yet, but when a Simpson's Lane resident dies from some medical emergency or another, because EMS could not get to them because of the traffic jam that no fire truck or ambulance could ever access, when that day comes, and it will, watch the summer traffic kids freak out with their hands in the air because there is nothing the can do to clear that line in time, and THAT will be the lawsuit the Town Of Edgartown and the Ferry owner will be begging to settle because they would never have a prayer of winning in a trial. That, I am certain of.
It is certainly a tough
Jason Gruner ChappyIt is certainly a tough situation. The reason it never bothered anyone prior is that the Shiretown owned the entire right hand side of Simpson. Simpson has been a staging area since the 80's. I think the owners of the Simpson road homes have a LEGITIMATE concern about EMT access as well as other 1st responder services.
The alternatives:
1) no large construction vehicles that require an entire ferry and cause considerable delays,dumptrucks, concrete trucks in the month of July/August
2) staging vehicles at the elementary school in July/August. Utilizing the parking spaces in front of the Colonial Inn and Library for staging
3) paving South Beach as state Beach is paved
4) building a bridge , left fork as the area where Katama bay begins
5) allow the 7 residents to pony up the $600k in legal fees and 10year long court battle of which they will lose
I do not see any other options than those outlined
The ferry line does not
Paul Condlin EdgartownThe ferry line does not impede emergency access along Simpson's Lane. Traffic officers monitoring the line will clear the street prior to the arrival of an emergency vehicle. It's easy...all the drivers are behind the wheel. If anyone wants to consider a dialogue of possible solutions, start with the files stored in the attic of the police station.
Thank you, Chief!
Mister K Oak Bluffs,Thank you, Chief!
When most everyone has a
Louise Boston/EdgartownWhen most everyone has a smartphone, why are we stuck with idea of cars waiting on a public road to get on the ferry? At times of peak demand, create a virtual line. You sign up for a slot and show up when it is your turn. (Gosh, that sounds familiar!) Maybe you set aside some priority slots for Chappy residents who need to get to and from work or appointments at busy times.
Build a bridge!
David OBrien Chappy/HinghamBuild a bridge!
Tunnel!
Mel Shatcher londonTunnel!
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