Revised Yellow House Plan Attracts Lone Bid
A sole applicant is in the running in Edgartown’s second search for someone to lease and renovate the Yellow House.
Sara Brown
The succession of storms that have pounded the Island this winter have taken their toll in Oak Bluffs, where the town says massive repairs are needed to stabilize the damaged East Chop area.
Officials said the already-weakened East Chop Drive, bluff and beach have sustained significant damage in the past few months, beginning with Hurricane Sandy in October and continuing through a nearly-three-day storm last week.
Plans to move a Chappaquiddick home threatened by erosion became more urgent this week, after last week’s nearly-three-day storm brought the coastal bank 11 feet closer to Richard and Jennifer Schifter’s Wasque Point home. But as waves continue to eat away at the waterfront property, the drama of the house move has extended into now weekly meetings at Edgartown town hall, where the house faces regulatory, logistical, and environmental concerns from town officials and neighbors.
The Oak Bluffs selectmen signed off on the annual town meeting warrant Tuesday, but said they expect lively discussion about two agenda items: funding for a new school district building and stipends for some elected town officials.
Selectmen expressed hesitation at a request for $45,172, which would pay for the town’s portion of architectural designs for a new superintendent’s building on the high school campus.
Two men are facing charges including assault to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon after a fight Saturday night in Oak Bluffs.
Patrece L. Petersen, 40, of Edgartown and Darryl Baptiste, 35, of Brooklyn, N.Y., were arraigned Monday in Edgartown District Court after police said they were involved in a fight at the Ritz Cafe.
Mr. Petersen was charged with assault to murder, assault and battery and disorderly conduct, and Mr. Baptiste was arraigned on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (razor) and assault and battery.
The Edgartown selectmen learned Monday that one idea to alleviate the cost of bringing cable to Chappaquiddick is a no-go. In January, selectmen inquired if a “betterment” could be created in which the town would bill residents over time for the cost of cable service.
Plans to move a Chappaquiddick house threatened by rapid coastal erosion took a step forward Tuesday when the Edgartown planning board approved a special permit for the first stage of the house move.
The board got its first look Tuesday at plans to relocate an 8,800-square-foot house at Wasque Point owned by Richard and Jennifer Schifter, as well as a guest house and garage. The Schifter property has been threatened by rapid erosion over the last year; the coastal bluff is now 50 feet away from a stone pool enclosure.