Tisbury selectmen heard a grim financial report from leaders at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum Tuesday, who said they had lost $1 million in 2020.
Tisbury selectmen threw their enthusiastic support behind an ambitious redevelopment project for the stone bank, and heard a dire financial report from the Martha’s Vineyard Museum Tuesday.
The stone bank revedelopment proposal by architect Reid (Sam) Dunn aims to rebuild the former bank into a mixed-used commercial and residential development complex on property adjacent to the ferry terminal.
The project is under review by Martha’s Vineyard Commission. At the select board meeting Tuesday held by zoom, Mr. Dunn presented drawings and outlined the project.
“I think it’s kind of been, you know, crying out for a concept,” he said of the property, which was vacated by Santander Bank nearly four years ago.
Selectman Jeff Kristal was effusive in his support for the project. “I think when you go through the planning board, the MVC and the historic district, I think you come out a better project and I think you have,” Mr. Kristal said. “I think this is a big thing for the town of Tisbury . . . you’re really going to make it a gem when you step off that boat . . . and I applaud you for doing this.”
Board members voted unanimously to sign a letter of endorsement for the project, which has not yet begun the hearing process before the commission.
In other business Tuesday, Martha’s Vineyard Museum acting director Heather Seger and board member David Grain came before the board to report that 2020 was a dismal year for the museum. Ms Seger said the museum lost $1 million in earned revenue over the prior year due to the pandemic — just as it was settling into its new home at the former Marine Hospital in Vineyard Haven. The museum opened at the new location in 2019.
Visitor numbers have also decreased, Ms. Seger said, with 25,438 guests in 2019, but only 14,000 projected for 2021.
Ms. Seger and Mr. Grain spoke in broad terms about partnership with the town and floated the idea of some kind of memorandum of understanding, although no specifics were discussed. Conditions imposed by the MVC and the town restrict the use of the building for outside events such as weddings, among other things.
“Covid has been devastating for us,” Ms. Seger said. “In order to achieve sustainability and to grow our programs and other offerings, we really need to be able to generate more revenue . . . The purpose of joining you guys tonight is really to give our partnership with the town of Tisbury a fresh start.”
Selectmen expressed general support.
“You guys have been an integral part of our community the last couple of years, you’ve stepped up to the plate on numerous occasions . . . and I’m looking forward to where we go from here,” Mr. Kristal said.
At the lengthy meeting, selectmen also shot down a request by harbor master John Crocker for additional funding to cover the cost of a new multi-purpose patrol boat for the harbor, after the town’s previous patrol boat sank in an accident.
Mr. Crocker said at the town meeting last year, voters authorized $255,000 for the purchase of a new boat, but because of a time-sensitive grant, $20,000 of the funds have already been used to purchase firefighting equipment for the harbor.
After a bidding process, the town received one bid for the project at $259,000, leaving funding short by $24,000, Mr. Crocker said.
“I think we need more money in order to finance this vessel,” the harbor master said, proposing a $500,000 warrant article for the upcoming town meeting so he can buy the 200-horsepower engine boat.
But selectmen bristled, suggesting that additional funding would be excessive and urging Mr. Crocker to go out to bid again.
“In my opinion, $255,000 is a lot of money for a boat. You’ve got to be able to buy a boat that will meet your needs for that amount of money,” said selectman James Rogers.
Comments
The museum can recoup some
Susan StewartThe museum can recoup some losses (post-Covid) by opening its facilities to weddings and other private events (after hours). Currently, wedding receptions are not allowed.
Susan - The issue with that
Lawrence NY WinterSusan - The issue with that is serving alcohol and getting a State liquor license. It is not easy, let alone the Town's own alcohol law. Who has a reception without booze ?
The busiest working harbor on
T Bone Oak BluffsThe busiest working harbor on the island and the harbor master gets yanked around by myopic town leadership. I’m so glad I left that town years ago. How’s that renovated Stop & Shop doing? Or the new school? Or Main Street? Oh, wait — it’s Tisbury. Silly me.
I am glad you had left. Don't
Heath VHI am glad you had left. Don't turn back and whine when you did not contribute to do anything to imprpve the town and partocularly when you don't understand the resistance of those projects you named. Do your research and have an insight first before you drop the personal bitterness comment each time.
Heath -- tell what's better
T Bone Oak BluffsHeath -- tell what's better in Tisbury since I left a decade ago? Nada, zilch, nothing. Maybe Ernie Boch, Jr.'s park will be something positive, but EBJ did that, on his own, without the town butting in. Tisbury will always be the rudderless ship on this island.
I love the Martha’s Vineyard
AnonymousI love the Martha’s Vineyard Museum!!
We were at the Vineyard in
Diane Zeppa Coventry CTWe were at the Vineyard in September. I can't express how impressed we were with the Museum and how it made our vacation. In the age of Covid it was such a welcome surprise. You can be sure when we return again in September, we will be back to enjoy the exhibits and beauty of the Museum.
Regarding the patrol boat.
Bob VHRegarding the patrol boat. Who is the patrol boat directly benefiting? If the answer is "owners of boats that are moored in the harbor" then isn't the answer obvious: update the mooring fee schedule to pay for the boat and its ongoing maintenance. Do not hit all of the VH property owners for this recreational activity.
Your point makes perfect
Mark OBYour point makes perfect sense to me!
Please do not be too harsh on
Bob EdgartownPlease do not be too harsh on the Harbor Master as he’s just following all the other public officials on the island and heads of public boards that always seem to need more money and more revenue for their pet projects. So happy to see someone was finally told no.
The Martha's Vineyard Museum
Steve H. MarionThe Martha's Vineyard Museum is a gem. In addition to new revenue ideas there should be an ongoing, multi-year fundraising campaign to help cushion annual revenue swings and/or rise capital for specific future improvements. We are a frequent visitor to beautiful MV so count us in a future museum donation pool.
The museum can reduce its
Brian Vineyard havenThe museum can reduce its deficit by hosting weddings and small concerts with the proviso of a 10pm curfew and a maximum decibel level. Lease out or partner the restaurant.... what a spectacular view to have lunch or dinner.
I agree about the restaurant.
Al WTI agree about the restaurant. Wonderful idea.
Ive eaten there quite a bit and its so amateurish (with the best intentions to be more professional). Lets get one of those successful island restaurant owners to take it over.
The MV Museum has proven to
Betsy EdgartownThe MV Museum has proven to be an integral part of our community. It provides wonderful programming for our children all year long. It has great shows and lectures for all to enjoy. Even the largest museums, without limits on how they can fundraise, have been hurt during the pandemic. With its gorgeous setting, it makes sense to allow the MV Museum to hold a limited number of weddings or private parties on-site to raise money, once it is safe to do so. This should be approved.
The museum is a great piece
Tisbury West TisburyThe museum is a great piece of historical architecture with fantastic water views. Why would anyone want to pay to have their wedding there? (Sarcasm intended.) One lesson learned in life: win-win situations are not easy to come by and when one stares you in the face, seize it!
As to the old Santander, who in their right mind thinks that putting “tile-like” roof shingles on a modern residential building preserves the character of anything? I applaud the intent but you know what they say about the road to hell.
My two cents - the project should reflect the architecture of the surrounding environs and enhance what already exists, not pay homage to what essentially has become somewhat of a white elephant over the years. Win-win again anyone?
FYI, The new structures will
Christine VHFYI, The new structures will have wood shingles for the roofing material.
The Museum could try a
Ruch Vineyard HavenThe Museum could try a promotion, for example anyone presenting a ferry ticket valid the same day would receive $2 off the price of admission. Could be advertised on the flyer used by most daily visitors.
The museum over reached when
Jonathan Oak BluffsThe museum over reached when deciding to quit Edgartown, sell off incredibly valuable land in a market of ascending prices (year after year) and build out something as big and lovely as the Marine Hospital - with no endowment. There have been a number of significant missteps by the trustees. Too bad.
Another case of doing something that you could do, even if you should perhaps not.
Everyone loves the museum.
Bob Vineyard HavenEveryone loves the museum.
But "25,438 guests in 2019, but only 14,000 projected for 2021" caused a million dollars in revenue loss -- doesn't make sense.
How much were these guests paying?
Thank you for your question.
Heather Seger, Martha's Vineyard Museum Vineyard HavenThank you for your question. In 2020, due to the closure and continued discomfort with being out in public places, the Museum only had about 6000 visitors and nearly half of those were members (who do not pay for admission). The shortfall was driven by the closure (admissions, shop sales, programming) and other restrictions (no events, for example).
Thank you for your kind
Heather Seger, Martha's Vineyard Museum Vineyard HavenThank you for your kind comments about the Museum. All of us are proud of how connected we've been to our community (students, parents, teachers, history buffs, the Bow fan club, and lovers of all things MV) throughout the pandemic. We'd like to clarify that the Museum's financial situation is not dire. Our presentation to the Tisbury Select Board on Tuesday evening was about partnering with the Town to think through revenue generation for 2021 and beyond so that we can continue to serve the Island. Though we were faced with nearly $1m in earned revenue losses due to Covid, prudent fiscal management, the government's PPP funding, and generous support from our Board and donors allowed the Museum to navigate the crisis effectively and finish the year in a position of stability.
The Martha's Vineyard Museum
Linda Vadasz West TisburyThe Martha's Vineyard Museum is an island treasure. As a docent at the museum, I can't wait to go back to giving guided tours. Now that I have had my first dose of the COVID vaccine, that time will come soon. I hope the town of Tisbury will figure out a way to help improve the museum's finances by allowing for weddings and other catered events during which alcoholic beverages may be served.
I love the MV Museum and have
Philip Hart LA, EdgI love the MV Museum and have been a supporter for years spanning Edgartown to Vineyard Haven. I love the new facility and thank the museum for mounting our Soul Cup: From James Naismith to the Inkwell in August 2019. All museums have faced difficult times with the global pandemic. I am certain we will all continue to support the gem in our midst - the MV Museum.
Thanks to Ms Segar for
Ginny Jones WTThanks to Ms Segar for clarifying the financial position of the MVM. In addition to the real estate, the endowment, the membership base and with the amazing and varied treasure trove of virtually unique and almost priceless items in the collection and some of the amazing items from which to draw items for special exhibits and programs we have the resources to put together world class exhibits and classes as well as workshops and truly meaningful events, some of which could be very unusual. Think along the lines of the No Nukes concert and Black Lives Matter Lectures or a class about the history of our Gay Head Light and the prisms, the history of the Eldredge family and their charts plus the history of American Sign Language and how to teach it. Or the characteristics and special qualities of Frost Bottoms opposed to an out,wash plain. Or the details of a Block Island Cow horn versus a Noman's Land boat versus a Woods Hole Spritsail Boat. There would be lots of opportunities for popular history and also for the deeply intellectual and even the merely curious; We are spoiled for riches; I look forward to attending so bring it on!
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