<p>The Tisbury School should stay at its current site. That was the consensus of the selectmen at their meeting Tuesday. Working with the Massachusetts School Building Authority grant program, the town has been exploring an array of options for a new school.
The Tisbury School should stay at its current site. That was the consensus of the Tisbury selectmen at their meeting Tuesday.
Working with the Massachusetts School Building Authority grant program, the town has been exploring an array of options for a new school. After a series of public meetings and workshops, the school building committee has narrowed the options to two: renovating and rebuilding the current school, or building a new school on town property off Holmes Hole Road at the Manter well site.
On Tuesday selectman and board chairman Melinda Loberg, who also sits on the school building committee, asked her colleagues for their opinion.
Selectman Larry Gomez said after talking to several townspeople, he felt the majority want the school to remain at its current location — and he agrees.
“I think the [Manter well] location is just too far out of town,” Mr. Gomez said. He said the school’s current location close to town is a benefit, as is the historical value of the school building, which dates to 1929.
Selectman Tristan Israel concurred, noting the many traditions associated with having the school in town. “What happens to the march to the sea,” he asked, referring to the annual Memorial Day event when school children walk down to the harbor to throw flowers in the water, commemorating those who were lost at sea. “There’s all that stuff that may sound trivial but it’s part of the core of this town,” Mr. Israel said.
Mrs. Loberg added that if the school is left vacant, there will be the question of how to repurpose the building — and how to pay for that.
In the end all three agreed, and Mrs. Loberg said she would take their recommendation to the school building committee, which met Wednesday.
In other business Tuesday, selectmen scheduled a public hearing for proposed changes to regulations governing town moped rentals. The new rules call for significantly increasing license fees and fines for violations.
Under the proposed new rules, the application fee would increase from $25 to $100, and the license fee would increase from $450 to $750. Fines for violations would go up from $50 to $250 for the first offense, from $100 to $500 for a second offense and $750 for a third offense.
There is only one moped rental dealership in town.
The hearing is set for June 3 at 6 p.m. at the town hall.
Selectmen will also hold a public hearing on May 23 at 6 p.m. on proposed rules for so-called conservation moorings, a type of mooring built to protect eelgrass beds. A moratorium on the use of the moorings expires May 24.
The selectmen accepted a gift of $2,400 from the Vineyard Haven Marina to support the pumpout program.
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Could not have said it better
Peter Fohlin West TisburyCould not have said it better: “What happens to the march to the sea,” he asked, referring to the annual Memorial Day event when school children walk down to the harbor to throw flowers in the water, commemorating those who were lost at sea. “There’s all that stuff that may sound trivial but it’s part of the core of this town,” Mr. Israel said.
As a child living in vineyard
Rosamond lowery St. Petersburg flAs a child living in vineyard haven the march to the sea was always a big day for us children. We would all dress up and carry our beautiful flowers.
Talk to anyone that attended
Sarah A Costa East Machias, MaineTalk to anyone that attended Tisbury School and ask,"What do you think of when you smell lilacs"? I will bet every one of them will say,"The Parade to Own Park". What beautiful memories!
It's good for towns to keep
Tom Hodgson WTIt's good for towns to keep themselves together, instead of tossing pieces out into the hinterlands. Good move, Selectmen!
During the years I worked at
Jim Pringle Vineyard HavenDuring the years I worked at the Vineyard Haven Harbor the March to the Sea was an event I looked forward to. It is a beautiful tradition and the ceremony usually left me teary eyed. Let's not lose it.
No one has suggested,
Resident TisburyNo one has suggested, discussed, or even conceived of ending the "March to the Sea" at this point or any time in the future. This is a serious discussion about a significant investment in the future of our town. It makes no sense to cloud it with our fond memories of a cherished institution that is not in peril.
As we look at the original
Tim Boland West TisburyAs we look at the original tenets of the Island Plan (whether you agree with them or not) developed areas (particularly in towns) should remain in towns as opposed to new development that clear-cuts our forests, particularly on land previously acquired to protect the towns water supply. Like the Oak Bluffs Water Districts denied solar array proposal to cut down trees over their aquifer; are we thinking clearly about the impact of these proposals on our Island? Water quality, carbon sequestration, habitat fragmentation, ecosystem services and the loss of biodiversity should clearly be part of the on-going dialog of benefits versus detriments to the town, and the Island when these proposals are brought forth. Thank you VH selectmen for your wisdom here.
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