Task Force Meets on Cape

By JULIA WELLS

MASHPEE - A chorus of Cape Cod politicians and residents told a governor's ferry task force last night that they want relief from the Island-bound traffic they believe is clogging their roads.

And leaders in the town of Barnstable demanded a full voting seat for their community on the Steamship Authority board of governors.

"We have been the unintended victims of the growth and prosperity on the Islands," declared Barnstable town council president Roy Richardson.

Task Force Meets on Cape

By JULIA WELLS

MASHPEE - A chorus of Cape Cod politicians and residents told a governor's ferry task force last night that they want relief from the Island-bound traffic they believe is clogging their roads.

And leaders in the town of Barnstable demanded a full voting seat for their community on the Steamship Authority board of governors.

"We have been the unintended victims of the growth and prosperity on the Islands," declared Barnstable town council president Roy Richardson.

NANTUCKET - - The people of Nantucket had their crack at the podium this week, turning out more than 150 strong to urge a special governor's ferry task force to protect the Steamship Authority and their lifeline.

"The rate-payers of the Islands are not responsible for reviving the economy of New Bedford. Folks, the Steamship Authority is not an entitlement program," declared Steve Tornovish, a member of the SSA financial advisory board from Nantucket.

A 32-lot luxury home subdivision plan for the Herring Creek Farm in Edgartown cleared the final hurdle for approval this week, but if a complicated private agreement for the sale of the farm is completed in the months ahead, the subdivision may never be developed.

NEW BEDFORD - Encouraged by hundreds of applauding onlookers, New Bedford political leaders, transportation planners and tourism promoters last night issued their demand for full ferry service to the two Islands - and for a place on the Steamship Authority governing board, all in the name of commerce and progress.

The surprise decision by the Steamship Authority governors last month to buy the New Bedford passenger ferry Schamonchi was pitched as a sound business decision for the public boat line, but an internal financial analysis done by the SSA shows that in fact the ferry is expected to lose large amounts of money.

The boat line board of governors voted last month to buy the Schamonchi for $1.75 million.