Flying Horses opened last month. But funding for a restoration project on the old carousel is on hold for now.
Jeanna Shepard

Police Investigate Altered Applications From Vineyard Trust

State and local police are investigating discrepancies in public funding requests submitted by the Vineyard Trust for restoration and maintenance work on two landmark properties.

State and local police are investigating discrepancies in public funding requests submitted by the Vineyard Trust for restoration and maintenance work on two landmark properties in Edgartown and Oak Bluffs, officials in both towns confirmed Monday.

The joint investigation by Edgartown and Oak Bluffs police, as well as Massachusetts state police, comes after officials in both towns discovered irregularities in applications from the Trust for Community Preservation Act funding.

Trust executive director Funi Burdick swiftly resigned last week in the wake of the discoveries.

More than $170,000 in CPA funding for the Whaling Church restoration was postponed at the Edgartown annual town meeting last month after the town learned at the last minute about discrepancies between the CPA funding application from the Trust and the original work estimate from painting contractor John Anderson.

Town administrator James Hagerty confirmed that Ms. Burdick had taken responsibility for changing the documents.

In Oak Bluffs, more than $72,000 in CPA funding for restoration work on the Flying Horses Carousel was approved at the annual town meeting May 15, but that money too has been put on hold now, due to similar discrepancies between the application and work estimates.

“It is being investigated,” Oak Bluffs acting town administrator Wendy Brough said Monday. “State and local police are involved in the investigation on that level, and we are cooperating.”

Mr. Hagerty also confirmed the police investigation Monday.

The Edgartown irregularities came to light 10 days ago when town officials said they had held up the funding for the Whaling Church after discovering that a work estimate provided by the Trust had been altered to increase the dollar amount and change the description of the work. The changes included increasing the project costs by more than $60,000 over the original estimate, and changing the word “painting” to “restoration”.

Documents provided to the Gazette this past weekend in response to a public records request provided more details about the problems in Oak Bluffs.

In a June 1 email to Ms. Burdick, Oak Bluffs town counsel Ron Rappaport asked her to clarify discrepancies between the CPA funding requests and two contractor estimates for the work. The email includes a copy of Oct. 1 correspondence to the Trust from master woodworker Myles Thurlow, estimating the carousel platform rebuild at $35,000, drive train repairs at $5,000 and repair work on the organ at $15,000, for a total of $55,000. The CPA funding application to the town included a quote from Mr. Thurlow for $64,750, with $41,450 for the platform rebuild, $6,800 for the drive train and $16,500 for organ maintenance.

“Can you explain who wrote the document which was submitted to the town; who came up with the revised figures; and whether Mr. Thurlow was aware of (at the time of submittal) and stands behind the quote submitted to the town?” Mr. Rappaport said in the email to Ms. Burdick.

The email also includes copies of two work estimates from painting contractor John Anderson dated Sept. 14. One is for $5,850 for painting the carousel platform, and the other is for $14,900. The more expensive quote included additional descriptions of the work, adding $8,500 for replacement and finishing work on doors, and increasing the platform painting request by $550.

Mr. Rappaport asked who prepared the estimates, and whether Mr. Anderson was aware of the differences.

In a reply dated June 4, Ms. Burdick said she was looking into the discrepancies.

“Thank you for speaking with us today,” Ms. Burdick said in an email to Mr. Rappaport. “We are in the process of researching the answers to the questions you posed to me in your . . . email to me.”

Trust board president Patrick Ahearn announced last Wednesday that Ms. Burdick had resigned effective immediately. In a statement, Mr. Ahearn apologized to the two towns for the mistakes, and said steps were being taken to ensure they could not happen again.

Ms. Brough said Monday that while voters had approved the money for work on the Oak Bluffs carousel, in light of the police investigation, the town has not allocated the funding.

“Everything is just on hold . . . there is no money being paid out, and that obviously is going to continue,” she said. “We are going to talk with town counsel about repercussions regarding the warrant.”

 

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/15/2021 - 06:34

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august west edgartown

Patrick has to explain how this happened. Is it the first time it’s occurred?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/15/2021 - 07:21

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Rod Vineyard Haven

the real tragedy here is what’s been done to the old library in Edgartown and to Alleys. I thought the trust was suppose to preserve island institutions not turn them into tourist attractions.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/15/2021 - 07:40

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Bob Edgartown

Very happy to see the state involved in this as this is not some innocent little mistake as the organization is trying to make you believe. You should not be able to resign and walk away like it was no big deal. The dealings and shenanigans of the current board may not be illegal but it sure is not moral or for the good of the island. Until major change and corrections of past miss deeds I Will no longer support Vineyard Distrust.

Lorrraine Edgartown

Bob, you are so right. Not a penny until this is thoroughly investigated and we know what happened, by whom, to whom, and why. Trust is earned. Remember the old adage: Follow the money.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/15/2021 - 08:50

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Martha Katama

Who widespread is this? How long has "The Trust" been engaged in these practices? They own too much, went too far, veered off of their mission too far into other causes - now financial crimes are being investigated. The "Trust" indeed.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/15/2021 - 09:42

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Jane Chittick, founding executive director, 1980-93 Edgartown

Does the public know Patrick Ahearn's lawyer has threatened me with a 'defamation' law suit? I received a letter from his attorney this past week and forwarded it to the Gazette. I hope there's not another cover-up here.. I think the public and the Board of Trustees should know this.

Schools Out Oak Bluffs

Threatening you with litigation is exactly what's wrong with Patrick snd his coveted Board. Time to hit the restart button and rebuild trust.

Katherine Scott Tisbury

This is very unsettling.
I am so sorry that you are being subjected to such treatment because you provided perspective on the history of the organization---perspective that I am sure Gazette readers and others welcome.

The Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust does seem to have lost its way.

Diane Edgartown

Wow.....that says it all. I have read every letter and there is no deformation of character. I thank you Jane and wish all the residents of Edgartown would stand up for what is fair as you have. I would think the board would welcome an investigation and answer all questions put in front of them. They should have been questioned years ago starting with the Carnegie building. Hopefully their hearts but not their brains where in the right place and they didn’t throw this young women under the bus. All the properties should be re-evaluated.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/15/2021 - 09:44

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Gabrielle West Tisbury

Ahern must go, the Alleys deal needs investigating, unbelievable she was paid 200k in salary.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/15/2021 - 10:06

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Jay Macleod Aquinnah

Dig Deep! This snake may have multiple heads. May need to clean house to begin to restore community confidence.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/18/2021 - 09:28

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Carol Edgartown

Don't worry about the law suit - it is a scare tactic. It would hinge on whether you had something to gain from making any statements - a job, money, etc - which is not your goal and everyone knows that.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/24/2021 - 06:57

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Burgo Barra Departing Cape Poge mooring

… decisive action is needed to limit further damage - this is a disgrace.
Otherwise donations will reduce to a trickle and the core purpose will be further compromised. 1. revert to the trust’s original name. An incomer promoting the word ‘brand’ is a warning sign. The “Trust” is no longer trusted. The “brand” (!) is tainted. 2. Bring in a complete outsider with expertise to run an historic audit over every activity, financial particularly of course, from the re-brander’s controlling start. From England if necessary - there they are preservation and accountability obsessed. Successfully. 3, locals say that this is the tip of an
iceberg - we hope not but the rumours must be deflated, credibly. Rescue must be swift, decisive, creative.

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