<p>More signs and a reservation system for large trucks were among the possible solutions discussed by the Edgartown selectmen this week during a report on problems with the Chappy ferry line.</p>
More signs and a reservation system for large trucks were among the possible solutions discussed by the Edgartown selectmen this week during a midsummer progress report from a consultant studying ongoing problems with the Chappaquiddick ferry line.
The line of cars queuing up for the three-car ferry has grown unpredictable and is a source of growing conflict with residents on Simpson’s Lane, whose street is used for overflow traffic from Daggett street. Fed-up neighbors have criticized the town for taking a lax approach, threatening legal action.
Overflow onto Simpson's Lane, once occasional, is now a regular event.
Overflow onto Simpson's Lane, once occasional, is now a regular event.
Doing business as Community Supported Solutions, Woody Filley was hired last spring by the town, the owner of the ferry and the Chappaquiddick Island Association at a cost of $7,500 to study the problems and recommend solutions. He has spent the summer gathering information from stakeholders and testing new technology. The work remains ongoing.
At the selectmen’s meeting Monday, Mr. Filley showed the selectmen time-lapse photography of the ferry line over several hours on July 13, and July 16, two of the busiest days of the summer.
In an interview with the Gazette last week, he said growth and development on Chappaquiddick, changing lifestyles and a demand for more services such as lawn care and landscaping are all contributing to changing patterns in the ferry line.
“Thirty years ago you didn’t see a lot of rolled out lawns, and people mowing lawns every week,” he said. “The houses are probably bigger than they were before, so they require different levels of maintenance.”
The problem is largely confined to the Edgartown side, where the overflow queue runs through the residential neighborhood on Simpson’s Lane.
Ferry users can now take advantage of a webcam available on the Chappaquiddick ferry website that shows Simpson’s Lane, Daggett street and the staging area on Chappaquiddick Point in real time.
Mr. Filley said ferry line regulars now know about “lawn-mowing Thursdays,” the day residents and summer visitors schedule landscape work before the weekend.
Proposed steps for Simpson's Lane and ferry staging were discussed Monday.
Proposed steps for Simpson's Lane and ferry staging were discussed Monday.
“We’re looking right now at, are there ways to get the larger vehicles off Simpson’s Lane,” he said. “Before, it was cement trucks and things like that. In the last 10 years you’ve seen this growth in landscaping where a lot of landscapers now have trailers or they’re bringing other types of equipment.”
He has been monitoring the webcams looking to detect patterns.
“From patterns, we can hopefully come up with solutions,” he said, adding: “Patterns are changing. The Fourth of July, there was no line on Simpson’s the entire day. The fifth of July was kind of a cloudy rainy day. There were huge lines on Chappy all day long. When you think of a big line on Chappy, you think all the people that came over going back. But in this instance, it was a lot of people from Chappy going over, for whatever reason.”
The meeting Monday was marked by a few sharp exchanges as Simpson’s Lane residents pressed the selectmen for more action.
“I see huge increases in the amount of people coming,” said Liz Murrell, a resident on the lane. “Every single day, I have to get an escort of police. It’s really frustrating, and difficult to hear you’re not really being taken into account.”
Selectman Margaret Serpa shot back: “I really resent saying you’re not being taken into account. I’m not going to tell you how many years I’ve lived in this town, but I grew up in that neighborhood. You people built houses on a length of street that had two individual driveways, and now there are seven or eight.”
Last week Mr. Filley noted there aren’t many models for the Chappy ferry, which is privately owned and historically operated on demand. The ferry is licensed by the selectmen, who have oversight over fares.
Changing lifestyles means larger houses and more demand for landscaping services on Chappy.
Changing lifestyles means larger houses and more demand for landscaping services on Chappy.
“I’ve yet to find a system this small that even has a reservation system,” he said.
The Edgartown police department assigns extra traffic officers to Simpson’s Lane to assist with ferry line traffic control in summer; in recent years the detail work has extended to the shoulder seasons. In summer two ferries shuttle back and forth all day long between the two slips on each side of the harbor channel. Years ago the ferry line ran along Dock street; it was shifted to Daggett street in the 1980s when traffic congestion became a problem.
In addition to monitoring the webcams, Mr. Filley has been conducting in-person surveys of drivers waiting in line, collecting information about whether they live on Chappaquiddick, work there or are visiting.
“If we can identify who’s in line, and who may have some more flexibility, maybe we can spread out [the traffic],” he said, noting a stated goal to contain the ferry line to Daggett street -- the primary staging street for the ferry -- as much as possible.
Meanwhile, Peter Wells, the ferry owner, is working to create efficiencies by shaving seconds off each trip across the harbor, reminding people to have their fares ready, and preselling to people waiting in line.
And plans are underway to install a ticket kiosk early next month near the ferry slip on the Edgartown side. Passengers can pay in advance with credit or debit cards.
Mr. Filley plans to hold another meeting with town leaders and stakeholders at the ferry line on the morning of August 6, a Saturday. And he has created a website which compiles historical information on the ferry and ferry line issues.
Comments
The people on Simpsons lane
Bob EdgartownThe people on Simpsons lane have no right to complain the line was there before they bought. These same people would complain about Church bells if they moved next to a church. I also think the Simpson lane developer and owners have ruined this once quiet street with over sized homes, pools and left very little green space on any of the properties. Simpsons Lane is a perfect example of how a developer can ruin a street with our current zoning allowing them to build out the lot and saving no green space.
We love the church bells.....
Beth O'Connor Simpsons Lane, EdgartownWe love the church bells......
No right to complain? Since
Jon Simpsons LaneNo right to complain? Since when did we lose our free speech rights? We did move a block away from a Church bells and they are wonderful!
What "ruined" the nice quiet street is a long line of trucks and vehicles of all sizes. The line is a safety hazard. I can barely (sometimes) navigate our small Prius into our driveway. A fire truck during an emergency would have no chance.
I am looking forward to hearing what the consultant will suggest tonight. I believe the best option is to have staging at the Edgartown school (once Daggett fills up). I'll be at the meeting tonight if you want to say anything to my face.
Sorry I do not feel sorry for
Bob EdgartownSorry I do not feel sorry for you or anyone else who bought and lives on Simpsons Lane. The line is not new and your coal fired car may have to wait a minute or 2 but only during certain times of the day. The best option is to leave it as it is because it works now. I only wish we could put some trees and green space back on the once nice quiet street ruined by a developer looking for profits.
Clearly, another case of not
Susan EdgartownClearly, another case of not in my backyard. The line was on Simpsons Lane long before the houses were built. You knew what you were getting into when you bought. Get over it.
Get over it? How about when
Simpson's Ln Resident Simpson's Ln ResidentGet over it? How about when the fire trucks are literally going to have to get over the cars to get to our house if something happens? And no, the line has built up as the summers have gone by. There wasn't the demand for going to Chappy that there is now. And why is this such an issue about how we build our houses? If the houses were 10x10 shacks the predicament would still be there! It's not like our houses have created the line. People don't wait in their cars for hours to look at the Simpson's Ln houses. And Bob raised the issue of the lack of green at our houses. This conversation is not about the look of our houses. It is about the safety of the citizens on our street. Not in my backyard. You're actually slightly right. Not in my backyard - will someone who desperately needs emergency help have to wait longer.
Tunnel?? Cant be that deep.
Ken Edg.Tunnel?? Cant be that deep.
Brilliant -- and the sand we
Susan M WH of OBBrilliant -- and the sand we acquire from the dig can be used to replenish beaches! Win Win!! LOL
I am an owner on Simpsons.
Dudley Cannada Simpsons LaneI am an owner on Simpsons. Since I purchased my home the line has gotten more often and the vehicles have gotten much bigger. The street is 15 feet wide with no sidewalks. Our development had replaced a 55 room inn with restaurant and bar (which took deliveries on Simpsons) with single family houses with 31 bedrooms and half the cars, it is Chappy that had changed for the worse.
Yes it would be nice to have
Bob EdgartownYes it would be nice to have the restaurant and bar back as well as the rooms at the Inn. The buildings did need a make over but would of been far better for the town than what we got now. We did not need more large homes crammed into small lots. Sorry this once was a much better street and is now changed for the worse in my and others thinking.
Yes because there aren't
Henry EdgartownYes because there aren't enough restaurants and bars in Edgartown. It would be so much better to have the near run down ramshackle buildings of the Shiretown Inn instead of a handful of well maintained houses that are in the character of the village. This street now looks like all of those around it, you are way off base.
A bridge very simple
GUS ChappyA bridge very simple
Goodbye Chappy Ferry - hello
Tom E EdgartownGoodbye Chappy Ferry - hello Edgartown/Chappy Drawbridge
A contributor to the line is
PaulliD EdgartownA contributor to the line is the closure of the Norton Point to Chappy side beach access. Time to rethink the ferry line, beach closures, and residents.
You are right. Years ago we
deshandra brown mvYou are right. Years ago we could take our 4 wheel drive vehicle on to the sand at south beach, and drive towards wasque, then all the way up east beach to 'the gut'. When the breach occurred on south beach anyone wanting to enjoy the beaches on chappy had to take the ferry. (not sure what the current status is since we got a boat to avoid the crowds many years ago and havnet driven the beach route.
As a 25 year Edgartown renter
dennis HinghamAs a 25 year Edgartown renter (in August) I have seen the traffic in the area only increase. Residents of Simpson Lane have an issue. My opinion is that the town has to choke off non-Chappy residents/renters from using the ferry during certain hours, i.e. weekdays allowed only before 9 and after 4; weekends only allowed 7 to 10 am and 4 to 6 pm. Renters on Chappy can use their lease as proof of a "Chappy resident". Resident stickers similar to on (South) beach could be utilized but there should be a cost. Commercial vehicles (lawn maintenance, plumbers, construction, etc) restricted to particular days and hours. There are other solutions and exceptions but there needs to be a starting point.
Nothing has changed, the
J ChappyNothing has changed, the residents of Simpson's lane moved in next to an existing waiting line, there was no surprise to them, and now they want all of the residents of Chappy to cater to them. Keeping the beach open to vehicles would help reduce the lines.
You might want to do a little
Beth O'Connor Simpsons LaneYou might want to do a little research before making a statement like 'nothing has changed'. Like perhaps the significant increase in the number of vehicles in staging? Or the quantity of police spent monitoring the line? Or the tax dollars spent getting us police escorts to/from our homes since we have no other way of access? Or the number of altercations that have happened so far this summer between irate, hot, miserable drivers? Or the fact that there is no way for a fire truck to get to our homes? It is your narrow-minded point of view that prohibits us from working together towards a solution.
Actually you may want to
J ChappyActually you may want to study your facts. Studies were done before you ever bought your house. Summer Police have been used in those locations long before you came to the Island. When you bought signs and posted them and tried to pretend they were legal you irritated many people, at least when that bluff didn't work one of you had the sense to put "Please" on their sign. Of course 1200 people on Chappy that pay their taxes to maintain a PUBLIC ROAD and pay for the Police were using that Lane long before the houses were built should cater to the noisy few. Yes, I have seen a near altercation-when one of the Lane residents came out and attacked those patiently waiting in line.
Agree: Finally, time for "THE
Bob, former Chappy property owner Glenmoore, PAAgree: Finally, time for "THE BRIDGE". Sorry, Peter!
A bridge would fundamentally
John Aldeborgh Edgartown, MAA bridge would fundamentally change (spoil) the harbor as it would have to be some type of drawbridge, which would cause massive marine traffic problems both into and our of the harbor, destroying the historic ambiance of the town.
If you don't like it, move
charlie callahan formerly from southieIf you don't like it, move
Yeah Woody!
Lucy MVYeah Woody!
I agree that the Simpson's
Carol Key WestI agree that the Simpson's Lane people built and/or moved into their houses knowing the street was staging for the ferry line. There may have been some volume changes since they moved in but overall things remain the same. I have seen in other towns across MA and PA when new people move in and then want to shut the door for others.
I simply do not understand
Todd EdgartownI simply do not understand the extreme negative attitude that comes from people simply because there is a conversation about change.
The town approved the homes, the home owners purchased them with awareness of the line, the level of traffic to the ferry has increased significantly due to the issues stated in other comments (More homes and renters on Chappy, Norton Point closures, Landscapers, people, bike traffic, etc.) There are frequently lines that run all day from Daggett Street to Pease's Point where people have to wait almost two hours to get over. This is a clearly a problem that impacts more than just Simpson's Lane but also Chappy residents and business owners that service the island. No one wants to sit in two hours of unpredictable traffic.
Why do people want this problem to continue regardless of your view on the way the street was or is? Have you ever tried to walk down Simpson's Lane when the traffic is jamming the street? Its completely unsafe with cars trying to go around the traffic with bikers trying to get by and people deflating their tires while idling their cars. Its chaos and very unsafe.
Its simply growth and change and it needs to be managed, right now it isn't managed and people are looking for help from the town to fix a problem that can be managed easily (a reservation system or staging at the Edgartown School seem like obvious options). And the response from fellow citizens is "Tough luck, deal with it!" just because they don't like the size of the houses or have an obvious bias towards the people that must live there -- I hope you don't have a problem where you need help someday. As a society we need to help each other more rather than this constant divisive attitude of us vs. them.
Change is constant, let's work together to solve problems.
Well said. Let's work
John Aldeborgh Edgartown, MAWell said. Let's work together as a community so find a commonsense solution.
I agree with the comments
Jen P. Simpson Lane/ N. SummerI agree with the comments that the recent people who bought their homes on Simpson were aware of the Chappy line when they purchased as were we. The line on certain days has become longer, but it has always @ times on summer days extended down Simpson & across to the other side of N. Summer. This is nothing new & can be @ times an inconvenience.
I bought very much aware of the Chappy line & I have the option to sell if I don't like the traffic. I do not expect the town to make drastic changes or the taxpayers to pay for a bridge just because I find the traffic an inconvenience on certain days. Stop complaining & accept the circumstances that you purchased in to.
I agree with the comments
Jen P. Simpson Lane/ N. SummerI agree with the comments that the recent people who bought their homes on Simpson were aware of the Chappy line when they purchased as were we. The line on certain days has become longer, but it has always @ times on summer days extended down Simpson & across to the other side of N. Summer. This is nothing new & can be @ times an inconvenience.
I bought very much aware of the Chappy line & I have the option to sell if I don't like the traffic. I do not expect the town to make drastic changes or the taxpayers to pay for a bridge just because I find the traffic an inconvenience on certain days. Stop complaining & accept the circumstances that you purchased in to.
Part of the problem is lack
Alexis T ChappyPart of the problem is lack 0f parking in Edgartown. People are using the Chappy side to park their cars.Effort should be made to have resident parking spots only at the point. I do agree though that people on Simpsons lane should have known what they were getting into when purchasing their homes.
When I lived on a lot that
Adelaide Kent New YorkWhen I lived on a lot that bordered Simpson's Lane, nearly 25 years ago, I put in a (fairly) attractive six-foot fence. Problem solved!
I certainly feel for the
RG EDGI certainly feel for the people who live on Simpson's who now have seen the traffic, and lines go up over the years. However, when you bought the homes you might have considered the fact that towns grow, services go up and down, thus perhaps traffic as you saw it then could in grow, and grow to a point where you might reconsider your purchase. A purchase by the way which might have been less if that same home were a block or two away on a street where there were no lines to contend with. It reminds me of the guy who has a pig farm in Bourne, and the new homeowners didn't anticipate just how badly the smell could get. I feel for them, but again, with a real estate deal there sometimes comes a price. Nevertheless, I hope a solution is found, and this debate can be put behind us - but let's not debate this as long as the rotary in OB.
Bob, we did know there was
One of the "YOU PEOPLE!" Simpson's Ln ResidentBob, we did know there was going to be a line. But we didn't know that it would grow... and grow... and grow... until instead of it being an occasional nuisance, it has become a formidable problem. How could we have known that it would turn into this ridiculousness?
I understand "you people"
Bob EdgartownI understand "you people" have seen change as well as the rest of the island. It will continue to change and none of this is ridiculousness it is change. This may become city living and you can not always park at your home. It could be Simpson's Lane residents should park at the school and it would solve the problem. Plenty of city people either do not have cars or have to park many blocks away from their home. I say better to give a parking permit to the few people who live on the street than have all the traffic backed up somewhere else and increase our carbon footprint. As a side note I went by Simpsons lane twice today and no traffic either time.
Are you seriously going to
WHAT? ConfusedAre you seriously going to tell me that the people who live on this street should not be allowed to park at our houses, yet people who don't live on the same island as us get to take up the street? You mean to say that during the summer we should just give up parking at our houses and have to walk 15 min to then get in our cars to go anywhere?
There are island wide traffic
Bcc ChappyThere are island wide traffic problems that have gotten worse and worse. Did you think Simpsons lane would be immune ?
I guess that's my point - I
RG EDGI guess that's my point - I believe homeowners on Simpson's rolled the dice, and unfortunately they don't like the roll. Simpson's has always had lines, and perhaps you should have thought about ALL the possibilities in the future. If you buy a home on the water you have to think about the possibility of a storm washing away a home, or accelerated erosion washing away much more shoreline than you had anticipated. Homeowners on Simpson's, especially newer owners should take personal responsibility for not looking ahead at all possibilities, but now because they did not, they wish to impose hardship on others i.e. parking at the school. But I'll tell you what, I'll buy your home, again at a rate below what the other streets are at, and I won't complain, since I know I'm getting a deal, know about the lines, and also know that it is possible that the lines could grow even longer in the future. That said, it would have to be a very good deal, because I would have never have bought a home on Simpson's in the first place.
Could not have said it
Bccc ChappyCould not have said it better myself. Buyer beware
The town approved the
Beth O'Connor Simpsons laneThe town approved the development. And in doing so, put the homeowners in harms way because emergency vehicles can't reach us. This is a liability issue for the town. This isn't about inconvenience.
Threaten legal action??????
One of those people ChappyThreaten legal action?????? Did those selectmen tell the developer to lie about the line? What basis? You wonder how the people in falmouth / woods hole feel as the steamship authority keeps adding boats to accommodate these new houses.......perhaps a bridge starting in Bourne would be the answer. As to safety issues........I am sure if there is an incident. , the police would have simpson lane emptied out in no time. If you need a sidewalk ,iam sure the town could take land by eminent domain and build you one! I guess whoever said cars are getting bigger doesn't remember the cars in the 70s and 80s. Traffic is an island wide problem. .........live with it and be happy you are able to enjoy this special place. QUIT WHINING
Blame the plovers
Bob EdgBlame the plovers
Regardless what the home
Kirk DiRubio CataumetRegardless what the home owners on this street knew of the ferry traffic before they bought their homes the situation is out of control and needs to be fixed. The traffic on that street has increased beyond reason over the years. And this is from the perspective of someone who only visits and does not live on the Vineyard. Just think of the stress you would feel by having a non stop traffic jam in front of your house. Also the people on that street have very right to worry that emergency vehicles and support might be slowed down by this traffic jam. A few ideas. Could the ferry company acquire the rights to use a parking lot somewhere away from the boat slip to hold cars and trucks until the ferry is empty and ready to board? This would at least eliminate the freaking traffic jam. A more expensive and emotional approach would be to build a bridge. What ever happens I feel for the homeowners on this street and hope they get some relief soon. There is a solution if everybody agrees to share the burden.
Rest assured if an emergency
Alexis T ChappyRest assured if an emergency vehicle had to come down Simpson's Lane the line would be disbursed! I really don't feel sorry for all Simpson Lane homeowners especially after reading these comments. Having practiced real estate for 17 years your agent should have warned you of this situation.I have owned a home on Chappy for 20 years and the line has been this long before and the cars have been this big before so stop pretending the situation did not exist. I feel sorry for all of us Chappy people with melting food in our cars and needing to use a restroom. Thank Chappy for providing parking for people in Edgartown who can't find a spot and clog up the Point. The whole situation is a tremendous inconvenience but I knew this was a part of living on Chappy in the summer and the Simpsons Lane people should not pretend they didn't know either.
Ahhh, after reading all of
rick heath chatham, massAhhh, after reading all of the comments, sub comments, and sub sub comments where people are voicing their concerns, I can only say this. True, no ferry service to a chic little island "on Cape" as we say. But it's the way of the land. Better economy, cheaper gas, well, on mainland anyway. Close to what, $3.80 +- on the "rock"? More touron's. All means for a more conjested Island. Good luck all!
What about using ferries that
NeuEnglander EdgWhat about using ferries that have the ability to carry more cars instead of just three. You could widen the ferries and slips. (think Gosnold Island ferry) Or extend the hours of operation past midnight. Or dedicate another smaller ferry to handle bikes/walk on's which should speed up car loading. An 18 wheeler can carry more cars than those ferries and yet that same 18 wheeler can fit on the chappy ferry...
All of these options are cheaper than consultants and litigation.
Staging cars at the school is a very temporary solution - norton point will be closed or wash out again...what then? Real solutions are needed.
The very obvious solution is
Chappy year rounder ChappyThe very obvious solution is capacity. Another pair of slips from the marine railway next to Seafood Shanty to the other slip on Chappy plus 5 car ferries will solve the problem and there will be no lines.
Of course we could always
MK EdgartownOf course we could always just pave Norton Point over, and build a highway right over to Chappy - I'm sure that would satisfy everyone.
I walk around Edgartown every
MarieI walk around Edgartown every summer, home in Katama. I have noticed the longer lines.
Yesterday evening a car with Texas plated stopped to wait on line right by the library. She blocked traffic on Water street, just sat there oblivious to the line of cars behind her. No one was there to tell her to move along.
Build a bridge. The ferry is quaint but cannot keep,up with 2016 traffic.
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