<p>Replacement of the distinctive tile roof on the old stone bank building in Vineyard Haven is causing concern among residents and town selectmen, who referred the project to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.</p>
Replacement of the distinctive tile roof that has long adorned the old stone Santander Bank building in Vineyard Haven is causing concern among residents and town selectmen, who on Tuesday referred the project to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission for review.
Early this week, the bank began a project to replace the red Spanish tile roof with red asphalt shingles. By mid-morning on the day work began, a town resident had raised concerns about the changes.
In an email to town administrator John (Jay) Grande, Nancy Ferguson asked if something could be done to stop the alteration.
“I was so disappointed when I walked down Main street in Vineyard Haven this morning and saw workers removing the original orange tile roof from the Old Stone Bank,” she wrote. “Although on Main street, it is my understanding it is a part of the William street historic district.”
The distinctive fieldstone building was built in 1905 on the former site of the Crocker Harness Factory. It was designed by Boston architect J. Williams Beal for William Barry Owen, who was the son of whaling captain Leander C. Owen. Nearby Owen Park was named for the younger Mr. Owen, who was a recording company pioneer and co-founder of the Gramaphone Company. The building for decades housed the Martha’s Vineyard National Bank, and is a well-known landmark on Main street Vineyard Haven.
Martha’s Vineyard National was sold some years ago and is now Santander Bank, an international bank that originated in Spain.
Tisbury building inspector Kenneth Barwick told the selectmen at their meeting Tuesday that plans for the roof repair and replacement went through all the proper channels for permits and licenses around mid July.
“At the time of the application, the concern of the bank was more of the damage that was being done to the interior of the building by the roof leaking, badly,” Mr. Barwick said. The plan calls for using red composite shingles as new roofing.
Town administrator John (Jay) Grande said he was not aware of any historic easements on the building. But the work may fall under the checklist for review to the commission as a development of regional impact (DRI). According to the checklist, projects that demolish or make exterior alterations to historic structures more than 100 years old, with some exclusions, must be sent to the commission for possible review.
Selectmen Tristan Israel said the bank should have been aware of the significance of the building to the town.
“That’s too bad Santander Bank didn’t have more sensitivity about the community,” he said.
Selectman Larry Gomez agreed, saying he expected more complaints and inquiries from residents.
“You know what they’re going to say: Why did the town let them do this?” he said.
Board chairman Melinda Loberg expressed concern that referring the project to the commission would stop the repair work and the building would be susceptible to damage, especially with inclement weather in the forecast.
“I don’t want to put us in jeopardy for having in any way stopped them from protecting the building,” Mrs. Loberg said.
Mr. Israel stressed that they were not asking the bank to halt repairs, only to refer the project while the permit is still open.
“We have no ability to stop them right now even if we wanted to and . . . . that’s not our intention right now,” Mr. Israel said.
The board voted 2-0 to refer the project to the commission. Mrs. Loberg abstained.
Selectmen also voted to have Mr. Barwick inform the bank of the concern and ask them to consider replacing the roof with tiles instead of the asphalt shingles.
“It really enables Ken to convey to the bank our dismay as a town with the changes that they are doing to this building, which the town believes is a historic, iconic building,” said Mrs. Loberg. “It’s a request, not an insist or require.”
Comments
Shouldn't the building
MH OBShouldn't the building inspector know which buildings are in what district, and have a procedure to determine if a building should fall under what guidelines? Seems a shame if the roof gets shingles because someone didn't do their job, and because inclement weather is ahead the town approves something less than historic.
Who is not doing his/her job?
SteveF ChilmarkWho is not doing his/her job???
I've been coming here since
Joe Furtado Providence RII've been coming here since the early 70s since then I've been fortunate enough to purchase and be part of the development of James Cagney's land in Chilmark, I'm a very small embryo in the eyes of Santander but I find it repulsive that they would not consider the history of the building that upon my first visit here took my breath away...
OMG!
Thea Hansen oak BluffsOMG!
This is just horrible, but I
Ron Spiegel ChilmarkThis is just horrible, but I figured something like this would happen when such a large international corporation bought the building. I will be closing my account with them tomorrow.
Seems like the building
sonya lecuona Martha's Vineyard and Melbourne, Fl.Seems like the building inspector was asleep at the wheel, yet once again!
I wish the town and its
...I wish the town and its residents cared as much about the bulkhead in tashmoo being blown open for 5 years as much as new roofing on a bank downtown.
This is a clear and basic
Simpleton MVThis is a clear and basic mistake by the building inspector. This project inarguably triggers a referral to the MVC under the DRI checklist 8.2ii. That may sound overly technical to many here, but it is as basic as keeping your raw meat from your salad greens in the restaurant business. The selectmen aren't in the position to use this as leverage. And they should know that too. They must refer this. Then the MVC LUPC decides if it is a DRI (as it is a "with concurrence" referral). I get it that they don't want a repeat of the Edgartown Post Office fiasco. Good for them. However this turns out, it is pretty clear the building inspector needs a line to initial "I checked the DRI checklist and this project does not trigger a DRI" on every application so he won't forget next time. I am sure he is horribly overburdened with work. They all seem to be. And this is the result. It will be interesting to see if this new friendly MVC reminds Tisbury and the applicant of their responsibilities to the Island. This isn't about sensitivity it is about the law. Let's not let any of them wiggle out of it, but rather let's ask firmly that they acknowledge their mistake and fix it and not make it again.
Such a shame!!!
Paul Doherty Vineyard Haven Ma.Such a shame!!!
Santander should have
Alex SalopSantander should have recognized the historic nature of the building to which it was making renovations. Yes, the MVC should be involved, but plans to replace an historic tile-roofed building with asphalt shingles do not make the bank look much like a good neighbor.
Even though this building is
Jane Chittick Edgartown and Washington DCEven though this building is not in an historic district, anyone in their right mind could see the distinctive and historic style of the building: MVC - halt this project! Good Judgement is part of any official's role. Shame on the building Inspector. As the founding Executive Director of the Vineyard's Historic Preservation Trust (1980-92), I know the people of the island would be willing to raise the funds necessary to re-install the red tile roof. It can still be done, so .... do it!
I'm reasonably certain that
Charity at home MVI'm reasonably certain that an international banking conglomerate has the financial means to install the proper roof. Perhaps we should reserve the fundraising for a more deserving project?
They need to expand the
Bob EdgartownThey need to expand the historic district which they have not done. Sorry they have every right to do as they like and this is not an MVC concern. People only seem to like the MVC when they are trying to stop something otherwise they all complain about the reach of the MVC. This roof does not effect any other town only one building one one street which the town did not care to put in an historic district.
Bob - I believe that due to
Thia Reynolds MVBob - I believe that due to the age of the building (over 100 years old) it triggers a mandatory referral to the MVC regardless of the building being in a historic district or not.
The bank can not be blamed
Barbara EdgartownThe bank can not be blamed for this. They followed all the proper procedures and everything was given the go ahead.
this smells funny. when any
kkurman Tisburythis smells funny. when any local folks have to plead and pray and jump through hoops to make even minor, practical alterations to their property a multi-national bank can just trash an historic building, an architectural landmark to boot, without so much as a review...? really?
Nope, I'm not blaming the
Nancy Ferguson Vineyard HavenNope, I'm not blaming the Building Inspector, the Selectmen, the Town Administrator or the Historic Commission. They need CLEAR legal authority to do their jobs properly. Two times in the last 20 years the community has gone to a Town Meeting with a warrant to extend some historic guidance over the Main Street area and both times the electorate turned them down. Perhaps those who voted against the warrants should reconsider?
Also, the Santander Bank must take full responsibility for making this mistake. Yes, it MIGHT take a little more money to repair the original roof instead of replace it with a cheaper version in a similar color. However, they need to make better decisions regarding building maintenance, be better guardians of this important Tisbury landmark and help preserve the historic character of their community. The Bank will benefit later when its neighboring businesses make similar choices.
I completely agree that the
Simpleton MVI completely agree that the town should have made this historic. However, there was a perfectly clear safeguard in place in the DRI checklist. The building inspector had not just CLEAR authority but in fact had a CLEAR legal requirement to refer this to the MVC. I am not suggesting we beat up on him. Everybody makes mistakes, especially people with huge work loads. The key is to stop posturing, admit the mistake, and choose next steps based on the legal requirement already in place.
Welcome to Martha's Vineyard!
Irving Katz West TisburyWelcome to Martha's Vineyard!
No. welcome to Vineyard Haven
BillyB OBNo. welcome to Vineyard Haven.
I am one of the very first
D Hodsdon VHI am one of the very first people to contact the building inspector and the chairman of the WSHC. Both people have been inundated with calls. It's funny how the apathetic jump out and start to condemn without knowing the fax.
Mr. Barwick is overwhelmed with work and health issues. Has anyone volunteered or committed themselves to help out in his office? Have any of these stone throwers offered to commit themselves to once a month sit on the WSHC? Have you offered to be a vital part of the community or are you someone that complains afterwards?
I have sat on the WSHC for over twenty years. We work hard to find committed members, we struggle each time an application comes before us. Yet under the guidance of the WSHC we have helped maintain the value of the William St homes with our vigilance in the exterior architectural detail and kind. William St homes do hold one of the higher values of in town homes just because of of the due diligence of the WSHC and the commitment of the home owners.
The Stone bank is not under the immediate protectorship of the WSHC as such, as are not many homes of historical nature and architectural significance around VH. The WSHC does wear a second hat though. Anything that is 100 yrs old and older should be brought to our attention. What does that mean? Come participate.
Ignorance of the law is not a defence. Which does place the Santander Bank as a co-culprit in this situation. I personally had gone into the bank and told two people in high positions, on separate occasions recently, the significance of the bank and how the WSHC would be happy to help guide them in any way we could. I had brought up the deterioration of the exterior trim detail and the significance of the tile roof. Yes Mr. Barwick could have contacted us or questioned the application. This, I see, is where the town needs a constant vigil on inter department knowledge, check lists of signature, minutes, etc. TOWN BYE LAWS need an overhaul. Things that were written 30 years ago no longer pertain to our 21st century.
So stone throwers come forward and volunteer to help. The side line gawkers you need to step into the field and participate not with just a knee jerk reaction.
This roof has been brought to the attention of the Martha's Vineyard Commision. Hopefully Santander will do the right thing and step up and protect this significant piece of property.
Young adults, STEP UP and participate, this is your history too!
the slow destruction of an
Pamela S. Brock Tisbury, Mathe slow destruction of an iconic structure on Main street; first, the ivy - then the addition of red & white signs all over the building - now the roof! please protect this landmark from further disruption
Why is it the "big bad multi
Will Vineyard HavenWhy is it the "big bad multi-national" bank's fault? If any of us put forth a renovation plan it either gets approved, turned down or edited as required by the inspector. The permit was issued to the bank, so if there is an issue it is with the building dept not following their own rules and procedures. We have all experienced a project in town that has been given the once, twice or more times over by the building depart before you achieve your permit. So if the bank received a permit, it went through the process. If it shouldn't have been issued or there should have been adjustments, that is on the building department. I am sure as hell not going to redo my place based on someone after the fact having a problem with it if I went through the hoops to get my permit.
I hope Santander pulls out
4HeadI hope Santander pulls out and let's the building rot to the ground
Better then letting them fix a 100+ year old roof, pretty easy to tell other people or businesses what they should do for your aesthetics
Silly; Building
Mark Lucier EdgartownSilly; Building inspectorfailed in his work.. Now in retrospect, we must make that bank put unapropite Spanish tile on a New England Building. Atrocious!!!!
"Santander" and "Sensitivity
TOM HODGSON wt"Santander" and "Sensitivity to the community"
Do they really belong in the same sentence?
Santander exists to extract money from the locations its tentacles may be found.
That includes Martha's Vineyard.
You can still "bank local".
There are options.
Do it today!
Shame on Santander Bank for
James Garfield Wakefield, RIShame on Santander Bank for their clueless attitude towards this iconic building. This building was always a well maintained gem under the stewardship of MV National, and it has been in a steady decline since Santander took it over. I only spend a few weeks on MV every year, but a highlight has always been the reassuring presence of this unusual and beautiful structure. It is truly sad to see one of it's defining elements lost to a bottom line decision made by a bean counter, who knows where.
Those tiles did not fit in
Thomson EdgartownThose tiles did not fit in within the character of the island anyways. Make them put on a wood shingled roof.
I wonder why Santander, a
Patricia F Murphy Scituate MAI wonder why Santander, a Spanish bank, does not want to replace the Spanish tile roof with Spanish tile?
Best point made!
Kate Gomperts RoslindaleBest point made!
Hmm. The building has always
Judy Diggs Potter Washington dc/Oak Bluffs!Hmm. The building has always been a valuable addition to the Vineyard Haven streetside and harbor side for 75 years that I have been here coming and going to MVI. Give it back its original charm! Asap!
imagine -- Santander leaves
Susan of OB CTimagine -- Santander leaves (good) space becomes a restaurants and tea room and training facility (really good) for future restaurant employees from the Vineyard on the Vineyard.
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