<p>Moving trucks arrived at the Lagoon Pond drawbridge Monday morning as the state took the next steps in a plan to raze a home tucked under the bridge that is owned by a longtime Vineyard summer family.</p> <p>The home, owned by Charlotte Holloman, is slated to be demolished to make way for the new bridge project that begins in the fall.</p> <p>Dukes County sheriff Michael McCormack confirmed that his office had issued a warrant of possession at the Holloman home, which is similar to an eviction notice.</p>
Moving trucks arrived at the Lagoon Pond drawbridge Monday morning as the state took the next steps in a plan to raze a home tucked under the bridge that is owned by a longtime Vineyard summer family.
The home, owned by Charlotte Holloman, is slated to be demolished to make way for the new bridge project that begins in the fall.
Dukes County sheriff Michael McCormack confirmed that his office had issued a warrant of possession at the Holloman home, which is similar to an eviction notice.
“We’re gong to take possession of the building for the [Massachusetts] Department of Transportation,” the sheriff said. “We’ve had [the order] for a couple months and we were waiting for the final go-ahead.”
The go-ahead came last week despite efforts by the Holloman family to stay the demolition so they could have one last summer in the house they have owned since 1962.
A temporary drawbridge is now complete and construction on a new bridge begins in the fall.
The state has already taken the Holloman house by eminent domain.
In an interview with the Gazette last month Mrs. Holloman described a tangled decade-long standoff between her family and the state over whether they would be allowed to stay in the house, and if not, also over what is fair market value for the property. The state has appraised the property at $267,000. An appraisal commissioned by Mrs. Holloman put the value at between $1.2 million and $1.5 million. The town assessed the property at $447,000 in 2012.
On Monday two moving trucks from Barnes Moving and Storage were at the site, as well as a locksmith and representatives from the state. Packing supplies lined the driveway. A lone couch sat in the moving truck. Inside the house, folding lounge chairs were stacked in the living room and kitchen shelves were stacked with dishes.
Lieut. Linda Hanover, supervisor for the civil process division of the sheriff’s department, will oversee the removal of the contents of the home, Mr. McCormack said. “It’s more taking possession of it and turning the possession over to the state,” Mr. McCormack said. He said the contents will be kept in storage.
Mrs. Holloman, who was on the Island in late May, said she had not been notified that the house would be cleared of its contents on Monday.
Reached by telephone, she said her Boston attorney was planning to seek injunctive relief but was still waiting to hear back from an attorney for the state DOT.
“They seem really hot to trot and it makes me wonder what their actual motives are,” Mrs. Holloman said. “I have done everything I could possibly do to protect myself.”
The new bridge is estimated to cost $44 million, according to transportation department spokesman Michael Versekes. Construction is expected to begin August 14.
In an email to the Gazette, Mr. Versekes wrote that the transportation department opened bids for the project on Wednesday; a contract will be awarded next week.
Construction of the 350-foot-long bridge will take three years and be completed in three phrases. Mr. Versekes said demolition of the Holloman home is slated for two years from now.
The home may be used as a field office for construction, he said.
The Hollomans bought the house in May 1962 from Henry Cronig. Built in 1949, it sits on the site once occupied by the Betty Benz Tea House, a 50-seat restaurant that was destroyed in the hurricane of 1938.

Comments
How much money has been spent
Amy Goldson Oak BluffsHow much money has been spent on the new bridge that was just recently constructed by the Holloman'front door? I have been using that bridge to go from OB to V H. and it seems to fulfill the purpose of going from OB to VH. Boats are able to go under the drawbridge as well. Can someone please explain why another bridge is even necessary? I realize that construction is a "stimulus package " --- but is a new bridge to replace the current bridge that was just erected really necessary? Spend the money on something productive-- or also pay to compensate Ms Holloman with a new house on the water.
The bridge, which as you
VH Resident VHThe bridge, which as you state, fulfills the purpose, is a temporary structure, which can by design be taken apart and rebuilt somewhere else for further temporary use. It is not designed to be a permanent structure and would not last anywhere near as long as will the new permanent bridge. I agree with many, that I wish this could have been done as 1 new bridge, but many local officials dictated that they did not want that section of road closed for such an extended period and all the related vehicular detours. Further, the original old drawbridge was so mechanically and structurally flawed, that it would not have lasted until the new bridge was completed, thus the 2 bridge scenario.Also, the folks saying the homeowner is not being paid close to enough need to understand that said house has a small tight tank as its only septic sourse. If anyone were to attempt to live there in a normal full time or weeks at a time case, I think you would be paying approx. 2000.00 a week to pumpout the small tight tank, this and the fact that there is literally no property are primary reasons for decreased value. All that being said, I do not understand the towns assessment of tax value, which clearly overcharged over the years maybe not knowing these facts?
Another part of the "Vineyard
Sue Cimmino Palm Harbor FlAnother part of the "Vineyard Charm" will now disappear along with other pieces of Vineyard history. There is no way that family can replace the home they have had for the past 51 years for what the state is willing to pay for it. We sure don't need another bridge and money should be spent to figure how to solve the major erosion problem the island is facing rather than build another bridge. I have gone back and forth over the old bridge for over 63 years and always loved that little house. Pick what the island needs most and fix that problem.
Stimulus package money if
SEMMELT VINNEYARD HAVENStimulus package money is free. We can build useless things like a new bridge even though the current one is just fine and we can get rid of peoples homes due to eminent domain. Its Obama's money and he has plenty of it hence the almost 17 trillion in debt--but I know , its Bush's fault
I cannot help but wonder if
Lance SlaughterI cannot help but wonder if the treatment given to the Hollomans would be the same if they were year round island residents?
If they were year round
Edgartonian EdgartownIf they were year round residents, the treatment would probably have been worse. It sounds like the current owners have spent plenty of money on atty fees. Not many year rounders would have the means to fight for a better deal from the state.
Wonder what state hack's
FromAfarWonder what state hack's family will spend the summer in that house.
Best comment ever!
Scott EdgartownBest comment ever!
y not move the home in toto,
flounder bob chilmarky not move the home in toto, its thr right thing to do...
Having slept there in 81 I
George Stein Edgartown, MAHaving slept there in 81 I found the trafic to make sleep near impossible. We will wait another 75 years for the next bridge to become fodder here. Safe bet there will not be another roundabout. Finding the family another home with a more realistic septic system would be the right thing to do.
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