Taxi Rules, Missing Benches Occupy Edgartown Selectmen

<p>Edgartown selectmen this week approved annual taxi licenses but put off addressing a proposal to change how fares are calculated.</p>

Edgartown selectmen this week approved annual taxi licenses for Martha’s Vineyard Taxi, Stagecoach Taxi, and Adam Cab but put off addressing a proposal to change how fares are calculated.

In April Michael Mszanski of Martha’s Vineyard Taxi came before selectmen to propose a new taxi metering software system that was developed over several months of testing. He said the system uses satellite GPS to track mileage and would standardize taxi rates.

“Part of making our customers feel comfortable is consistent pricing structure that’s transparent,” he told selectmen at the time.

But representatives from the other cab companies said they had no problems with the current system, and questioned how it would work if one company adopts a separate metering system or rate structure. Selectman Art Smadbeck suggested that the companies meet with police chief Bruce McNamee to see if they could come up with a recommendation.

This week at the annual taxi hearing, Mr. Mszanski said they could not agree on a proposal that suits all companies.

As a next step selectmen appointed town IT manager Adam Darack as a taxi liaison to lead further discussion.

“What I’m hoping is that working with Adam, that you guys can come up with a system,” Mr. Smadbeck said. “Meters in the small cabs, we could have a traditional rate chart for the vans and move forward, kind of in a way that might satisfy everyone.” He said Mr. Darack could also discuss options with town counsel.

Mr. Mszanski said he brought up the proposal when he did because changes have to be made within 30 days of license renewal. He asked whether something could be done to change the time restriction.

Selectmen said that could be a subject for continuing discussion. Mr. Darack said he thought it was unlikely that any fare changes could be made before this summer.

In other business, selectmen were briefed on a major renovation at the Edgartown Yacht Club that is scheduled to begin next fall.

Last year the conservation commission approved plans to raise the main building, demolish and rebuild the old foundation and replace it with steel beams, and replace parts of the building.

The clubhouse at the foot of Main street on the Edgartown harbor was originally built in 1928.

Manager Bill Roman said the project is slated to begin Sept. 10 and finish before Memorial Day 2019.

The snack bar and clubhouse will be saved, but there will be some major demolition to parts of the structure.

Mr. Roman showed selectmen a map of the Dock street parking lot showing where the club hopes to make room for dumpsters and a crane in front of the building. He said a materials barge and crane barge would need to anchor in the water west of the clubhouse.

Mr Roman said there was some concern about the work taking place during the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, which runs from mid-September to mid-October. Derby headquarters with its weigh station is also on the Dock street parking lot.

Mr. Roman said the yacht club is in discussion with members of the derby committee, and the marine contractor would be aware of peak derby hours and move equipment accordingly. He said the marine contractor will need room to bring spiles, timbers and steel by barge to the work site.

“Whatever is approved we’ll work with,” Mr. Roman said, adding that he wanted to start the conversation well in advance of the start date.

Selectmen also approved a new utility pole at 80 Peases Point Way south. The decision had been deferred until Eversource addressed concerns from an abutter.

In a final piece of business, the board heard a concern from Carroll and Vincent Real Estate owner James Joyce about the disappearance of two benches in front of his office on 37 Main street. Four benches had been there before, Mr. Joyce said, but two were recently taken away.

“During the summer those four benches are completely filled,” he said. “If the town thinks we only need two that’s fine by me.”

The problem, he said, was that one of the missing benches had a plaque dedicated to the late Bob Carroll, who founded the real estate company with a partner decades ago. “If we only need two benches there, if we can get Bob back,” Mr. Joyce said.

Chris Scott, who attended the meeting, noted that the other missing bench was dedicated to the late Henry Beetle Hough, the former editor and publisher of the Gazette. The two men were often adversaries.

“I don’t care so much about Henry,” Mr. Joyce said, drawing laughter. “I care about Bob.”

Town administrator Pam Dolby said she didn’t know where the benches had gone, and would look into it.

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/09/2018 - 19:31

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Washashore Edgartown

Why is the IT director of Edgartown, paid by taxpayers, charged with moderating a taxi metering dispute? These are private businesses looking for change, possibly good change, but as a taxpayer I don't want to subsidize the discussion! If you tell me it is because we all rely on tourist dollars to live here, I will ask what is next? We already told town leadership we didn't want to pay for an airport renovation on the grass airstrip...despite threats of losing the approval of a handful of people who just assume year round residents should be grateful and pay through the nose to subsidize born on third base dilitants...OR ELSE. Now our selectmen have shrugged and did what they know best...spend our public money on private profiteers since otherwise we would lose our place as a tourist hub. I cannot come up with a polite term to describe this desperate social climbing attitude, whether it be for moneyed guests or poorly run entrenched businesses...lets just say I hope no child of mine grows up with these values.

Mark Hess Edgartown

Because the Town has a vested interest in how the taxi companies operate ( they always have ) and primarly the Selectman know, as do most, that Adam has a great head on his shoulders and his talents and demeanor are most suited for the task. Knowing him, he probebly accepted the assignment outside of his regular job parameters and of his own extra time...

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