Chappy Ferry Owners Look to Sell Town-Licensed Franchise

Julia Wells Monday, September 19 2022 - 3:33pm

With the owners of the Chappaquiddick Ferry hoping to sell the franchise before their lease expires next year, the future of the tiny barge-like ferry has become a heated subject for discussion and debate in recent weeks.

With the owners of the Chappaquiddick Ferry hoping to sell the franchise before their lease expires next year, the future of the tiny barge-like ferry that is the sole public transportation link to Chappy has become a heated subject for discussion and debate in recent weeks.

The privately-owned ferry service operates under a lease and license with the town of Edgartown. Ferry owners Peter Wells and Sally Snipes have indicated they would like someone else to buy it before their lease is up for renewal in 2023. But there has been disagreement among Chappaquiddickers over what comes next.

An investor group made up of Chappy residents recently drafted a proposal to buy the ferry, with an eye toward maintaining it as a public utility, much the same as now, except with a hired manager, a community advisory board and open financial books.

Another group of Chappaquiddick residents has criticized and opposed the investor group approach, proposing instead that the town buy the ferry.

The two concepts were recently circulated by the Chappaquiddick Island Association, which has taken no position on the matter. But after a contentious Zoom meeting last Thursday hosted by the Chappaquiddick steering committee, a town subcommittee formed in 2019 in response to concerns about ferry rate structures and other issues, the private investor group has put its draft proposal on hold.

“Given the opposition, we’ve decided to stand down and let Peter and Sally decide what they want to do next,” said Rick Schifter, a Chappaquiddick resident who heads the investor group and also the steering committee. “It’s easy for people to see something and say, ‘this isn’t what I want to happen’ — but now someone has to step up.”

The three-car ferry that plies the roughly 550-foot channel in the Edgartown harbor has long been privately owned but publicly regulated by the town. The town licenses the operation, has oversight over cash fares and holds a lease with the ferry owners, renewable every five years. Ms. Snipes and Mr. Wells have owned the ferry since 2008, when they bought it from former owner Roy Hayes for $3 million.

The meeting Thursday, attended by about 100 people, saw wide-ranging discussion about not only future ownership of the ferry but also the fairness of the rates, which are deeply discounted for year-round residents. There were also sharp concerns about conflict of interest, since Mr. Schifter heads both the steering committee and the investor group that has proposed buying the ferry.

Several who attended urged him to resign, a recording of the meeting shows.

“I want a process that is objective, clear-minded and effective to develop the proposal,” said Cary Brown. “The decision should be left to people with no conflicts of interest.”

Town administrator James Hagerty, who sits on the steering committee and attended the meeting, said the committee is only an advisory body, and the ultimate decisions will be left to the select board and town voters.

“There’s no conspiracy here,” Mr. Hagerty said.

Speaking to the Gazette last week, Mr. Hagerty said any sale of the ferry will see a thorough public airing once there is a concrete proposal for the town to consider.

“There is a public process that will take place,” he said.

Brooke Kushwaha contributed reporting.

Comments

The town needs to step up and

Albion Smith Edg.

The town needs to step up and take ownership of this business. Selling out to a group of venture capitalists and private equity summer people isn’t going to end well for residents there, especially those who rely on the service year round.

The investor group seems very

Brian O Chappy

The investor group seems very well intentioned and Honorable in their goals…..“venture capitalists and private equity summer people”. Not the case/ such an old idea. Edgartown is not going to buy it and I bet the “summer people” might be able to operate it more efficiently….did you ever ask Peter how much of the cash he claimed?

I agree!

BF Edgartown

I agree!
The Town should never have sold it!!

I agree. The town can handle

Marie Edgartwon

I agree. The town can handle the ferry and have new jobs available for year round islanders with benefits. I also feel that town residents should be given a discounted rate. It has gotten expensive to travel back and forth to Chappy and especially now that there is no access through south beach. How wonderful for our intelligent capable town manager to take on this project, please……Also while we are taking back could we please take back our beaches. What happened this summer was plan awful. We can save the plovers and be respectful without closing our beaches…..Thank you

To make it “Transparent” it

Bob Edgartown

To make it “Transparent” it should be a bidding process like all Government contracts.
I think it should be a 2-5 year contract, or something similar.
Other option is privatize the entire operation, with a lease paid to the Town of use of docks.

I was once a resident of

James Santacroce Baltic, CT

I was once a resident of Chappaquddick, owned from mid 1990s, resident from 2007 until selling in 2011. The sigle biggest reason for leaving was the sale of the ferry to Mr Wells. His never ending signage, outrageous increases and policies to extract money verged on ridiculous. Years ago my truck ticket with driver would allow me to take my small boat on a trailer over with my wife for two tickets. Subsequently, for the same service, I paid for a passenger, a fee for the boat by the foot, and fee for the trailer by the foot, and the truck ticket. A compact pick up 14 feet long was charged as a full size PU, while a 21 foot Suburban was a car. And rules for the rules posted. The time for a sale is overdue.

“…maintaining it as a public

Posy Bass Chappy

“…maintaining it as a public utility, much the same as now, except with a hired manager, a community advisory board and open financial books.”

If memory serves, this is EXACTLY what we asked for when the ferry rates were raised apparently with little oversight from the town administration, which had it occurred, would have included feedback from Chappy residents. I remain excited about this proposal & grateful Mr Schifter & other investors for their willingness to step to the plate.

The process should be a

Mike Edgartown

The process should be a Sealed bid process with Selectman over sight.. I think Mr Wells and crew do a great job !
I think the next owner should try and have a a reservation line type set up…

Having rented on Chappy for 4

Paul Reever Edg

Having rented for 5 decades, I have seen reasonable ferry service, but rising prices have been noticeable since COVID. If the town is in charge, getting on the ferry and getting a shellfish permit will likely be a similar process. A note taped to the wall in Town Hall says permits available from 1-5 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, twice this year they were not there at the posted time. The online option, a QR code does not work either. All chappy residents should have a boat and a friend with a dock in Edgartown. This will be a boondoggle. Hope you like new taxes to support the extra staff that will be added since working during summertime is apparently not required. Town Hall is empty all summer. Perhaps this is a method of reducing beach traffic on chappy without having to restrict permit sales! Oh, what a tangled web...

I know the Town employees are

Tom Edgartown

I know the Town employees are hard working folks. I think you are referring to Covid, when most Town Hall employees were working from home and getting the jobs fine for the people.

I think the private-public

Bill Edgartown

I think the private-public partnership makes a lot of sense. Like with vaccines, airlines, etc. things move faster. I'd also like to see the ferry buy some six car ferrys. They have two lanes so they are just wider. Some minor modifications could be made to the docks to accommodate them and it would help during the busy times.

I’m not a huge fan of the

Carl Kelly USA

I’m not a huge fan of the Trustees but this would be a perfect acquisition for them. A win win for residents and visitors alike.

Just a thought, maybe a

Dan Edgartown

Just a thought, maybe a reservations system for the busy season? Something like the SSA does? Maybe a website?

Dan,

Jim Chilmark angler

Dan,
I agree with some sort of reservation system for the summer season. Maybe the SSA could lend some help. I do think the long lines and running cars with the A/C on is not a good thing..
Maybe a staging area for commercial trucks?

Could the Steamship Authority

Gail Edgartown

Could the Steamship Authority be a help here? Running and managing ?

How about a electric

Chip Edgartown

How about a electric passenger/bike ferry??
Let’s get away from the diesel please!!

I think a electric bike ferry

Hal OB

I think a electric bike ferry makes a lot of sense…
Similar to the Menemsha bike ferry… better for the environment..
Also the steamship would be a good resource on a management style and reservations system

An electric ferry should be

Mike Somewhere

An electric ferry should be mandatory with its own solar powered battery storage system on the Chappy side. Recharge over night.
It should remain ‘first come first serve’ - a reservation system would be disastrous for Chappy residents. Can you imagine no reservations available because all booked by sightseers and visitor’s. Just like the SSA. Bad idea.
The private group of residents that want to take over is a great idea. As long as it is run as a not for profit with just enough salaried administration to get the job done.
Captains, etc…
Residents get a deep discount.

I think a SSA reservation

Thomas NYC

I think a SSA reservation only policy in season is a great idea! It is 2022 not 1960….
I have waited on my occasions behind landscaping and construction trucks with Diesel engines idling..unfortunately my vintage Rover has no A/C
The fumes can be horrendous on a hot humid day…
Of course the Residents should have preference…

I think a reservation system

Drake Edgartown

I think a reservation system should be in the table. The smell of Diesel engines from the waiting line can be bad. This would eliminate the long wait. I have waited many times over an hour in the blazing heat in my keep.

Those recommending a

New Englander Chappaquiddick

Those recommending a reservation system for the ferry .... doctor's appointment longer than anticipated and you miss your return reservation to Chappy; checkout lines too long at Stop and Shop, same outcome; unexpectedly a pet needs to get to vet. If you do not live on Chappaquiddick, think of a fence being built around your neighborhood that has no stores and services and you would need a reservation to get out AND back in.

About 100 people attended a wide-ranging discussion last week about the future of the Chappy Ferry.