Oak Bluffs selectmen had strong words of criticism for the Steamship Authority Tuesday after learning that the boat line terminal in their town might not be ready to open in time for summer.
The Oak Bluffs selectmen had strong words of criticism for the Steamship Authority Tuesday after learning that the boat line terminal in their town might not be ready to open in time for summer due to needed repairs on the wooden wharf.
“This is egregious, and I think we need to send a very firm letter and put as much pressure as we can on them. I think it’s important for us as a board to make a strong statement,” selectman Gail Barmakian said.
The remarks came at a meeting Tuesday, one day after Vineyard SSA governor James Malkin and general manager Robert Davis suddenly found themselves in hot water for quietly floating the possibility of delaying or not reopening the Oak Bluffs Steamship Authority wharf and terminal this summer.
An exchange of emails showed that a conference call was held Friday that included Mr. Malkin, Mr. Davis, Oak Bluffs selectman Michael Santoro and town administrator Robert Whritenour.
The subject was the Oak Bluffs terminal, and recent engineering work apparently showing that the wooden pier would need major work, including some 35 pilings to be repaired or replaced. The summer terminal ordinarily opens in mid-May.
Speaking to the Gazette by phone Monday, Mr. Malkin said they had made it clear in the phone call that nothing had been decided, and that the boat line is committed to re-opening the terminal when it is safe.
But in a series of emails that followed the Friday conference call, Oak Bluffs selectman and board chairman Brian Packish lashed out at the boat line, among other things calling for Mr. Davis to be removed.
“I firmly believe the ship has run aground and it is past time for Mr. Davis to be escorted off the vessel,” Mr. Packish wrote to Mr. Malkin.
In his own email to Mr. Packish, Mr. Malkin outlined the dire financial situation facing the SSA, noting the possibility of a $50 million deficit as a result of the pandemic.
“While the SSA is closing runs, reducing staff, cancelling projects, etc, no one knows . . . where this Covid mess is heading and what it’s impact will be. Except we all know that it’s already terrible and will worsen as we go into our seasonal economy,” Mr. Malkin wrote in part. He also wrote:
“As with everything we are all dealing with, we seem to be in the midst of the perfect storm. It’s coming at all of us and all of our people and businesses from all directions.”
Mr. Packish fired back:
“The SSA has been calling their gross mismanagement a perfect storm for a long time and the excuse no longer holds water. The public has bent over backwards to endure the hardships placed on them repeatedly by the SSA. The lack of leadership that has now further jeopardized the safety of our residents and economy Islandwide that is now being blamed on Covid-19 is beyond acceptable.”
The heated exchange underscored the tensions now threading the Vineyard, with most businesses shut down due to the pandemic and widespread concerns about the coming summer season.
Mr. Malkin said he expects the Oak Bluffs pier repairs and engineering report to be a full topic for discussion at the monthly SSA meeting on April 21.
He said he found out about the engineering report on April 9, and immediately requested a phone call with Oak Bluffs officials.
“We got a report. I saw that. And I said we can’t wait for a meeting,” Mr. Malkin said. “We have a meeting on April 21 when this is going to get further examined, but we need to be proactive and reach out to the town where the pier is and tell them this is a serious issue.”
But Mr. Packish rejected the notion that the pandemic is a factor in completing repairs to the pier.
“They are trying to hide behind Covid-19,” he said. “They don’t think they can get the pier repaired in time. Listen, that’s your own mismanagement. If you had done your work, prepared and managed appropriately, it would be a different conversation.”
At the selectmen’s meeting Tuesday, the lambasting of the boat line by town officials continued.
Town administrator Robert Whritenour updated the board on the Friday telephone conference.
“We had no idea why that work has not been completed already, but they indicated they still had a lot of work to complete,” Mr. Whritenour said.
“Right now, we’re still in the phase of trying to evaluate if that’s going to impact the operation of that facility this season. We certainly hope that’s not going to be the case,” he said. “The Steamship Authority has indicated they’re going to do everything in their power to identify what emergency measures can be taken to keep that facility operating during the upcoming summer period. They need to do a little more engineering work and get back to us, but I’ll tell you, in dealing with all of the issues with COVID-19 and all the emergency things, it really pains me to see something that should not be an emergency sort of lumped in there that could’ve easily been completed by now.
“We’re hoping that they’re able to make the adjustments that they need to do to get it open and operating.”
Ms. Barmakian and others added their pique.
“Going forward, this kind of communication where they go undercover, then say, oh by the way, is not going to happen. It’s more than this instance,” she said.
Mr. Packish concurred. “It stresses the importance that the Island representative to the Steamship Authority should be based in a port town,” he said. “Quite honestly, it highlights a lot of things.”
Aaron Wilson contributed reporting.
Comments
It's a joke to let the SSA
T Bone Oak BluffsIt's a joke to let the SSA call itself a lifeline. It's more like on life support.
It's a lifeline to the island
Toby TisburyIt's a lifeline to the island, not to OB and it's summer businesses.
Less people eating at Red Cat
Islander Circuit AveLess people eating at Red Cat Kitchen if the OB Wharf is closed
Vineyard Haven Harbor can't
Summer Resident TisburyVineyard Haven Harbor can't handle all those additional boats. They will cause an enormous and of "wash away" and cause considerable damage to the floor of the harbor. Is there something Tisbury can do about it like legally preventing the SSA from allowing so many boats to dock there.
That would be great. Two
Edgartownite EdgartownThat would be great. Two terminals cost extra money and it would stop all of those hated, diaease-carrying off-islanders from polluting the Rock.
The ferry should be for Islanders only and run on as needed basis like the Chappy Ferry. It should also get State funding so the fare with a car would be more like $10 for a round trip!
I totally agree! No off
Carl Oak BluffsI totally agree! No off-island people or money anymore! Let the island pay for its own hospital, roads, ferries, health insurance, schools, ...
Oh wait, you want the money from off-islanders, but you don't want to allow them on to your sanctuary island?
Yeah, that won't work.
Holy Litigation! It remains
George Stein Oak BluffsHoly Litigation! It remains standard fare the lack of identification of comments here the basis of their ignoring reality. Between the VTA and SSA what a tragedy that seems will never have a resolution in our lifetimes
As a hated off-islander who
Scott F. CanadaAs a hated off-islander who has been spending my disease-carrying money on MV for almost 20 summers now, it is always so heartening to read comments like this. I love you too, Edgartownite! (Now please explain to me how your economy works without any tourists. I'll hang up and listen.)
I'm pretty sure Edgartownite
Warbaby OBI'm pretty sure Edgartownite's comment was tongue-in-cheek and meant to address the anger, envy, and hatred expressed by some Vineyarders lately towards seasonal residents.
Everyone here came from a
Elvis Presley Heaven baby!Everyone here came from a disease carrying off-islander at some point, whether it was recently or hundreds of years ago. Your comment speaks for itself as to what kind of person wrote it. The only disease around here is you, unfortunately there isn't a cure.
This is the type of
Sunny side Up Oak bluffsThis is the type of negativity that we don’t need dividing us. Yes we need answers to something unique for the circumstances, many of us have never faced. “Off islanders” are a huge part of this economy, that’s why everyone wants to know what the summer will look like? Because next winter will be housing hardships if people can pay their rent. Please stay positive !!
Again, be careful for what
Jason FloridaAgain, be careful for what you wish. The off Island crowd is a critical part of the local economy that subsidizes MV. For example, like many seasonal residents, I have contributed over the years to many of the non profits that service the Island's families and which improve quality of life. There are over 150 non profits on MV! Do we really need that many non profits and redundant cost structures (EDs, staff, offices, etc.) or can there be a cost consolidation? How many of these non profits could survive without off Island donors? I suspect very few. Given the nasty tone which is so frequently directed at seasonal residents (read the comments section on any given day) I plan to direct more of my charitable giving to organizations that support the region where where I primarily reside (hospitals, youth programs, etc.) and that make me feel welcome. There are many good causes outside of MV that are also deserving of funding, where more of the residents are friendlier and more neighborly to everyone - visitors and residents alike. I suspect that I am not alone in thinking this way.
Edgartownite's comment is
Molly Oak BluffsEdgartownite's comment is quite obviously satirical. But it's interesting that once again, out come the off-islanders' threats about withholding their money. Guys, honestly, you're just reinforcing this ridiculous dynamic with every reference to your precious tax contributions. Communities everywhere are sustained by more than just cash.
I can’t speak for
year round In WT West TisburyI can’t speak for Edgartownite, but I think it’s safe to say he was being sarcastic. I think people are missing the nuance of his sardonic message.
Then again his comment be totally sincere, and if that’s the case I am confident he doesn’t speak for a vast majority of the year round population here.
Although a few people have raised the issue of whether it’s logical for people to come from high population areas with higher infection rates to a more sparsely populated area with very limited medical resources, I don’t think there is systematic bias or hatred against seasonal visitors.
Yes -- we'll just expand the
Susan of OB W Hartford, CTYes -- we'll just expand the model of the On-Time (Chappy ferry) --- and BYOM (Bring your own Masks) or you can't board the boat!
Lets not forget the big
John Cape CodLets not forget the big picture which is that the Islands & Towns of the SSA are responsible for the budget deficit,so beware of what you wish for. With out those so called terrible summer residents & tourists which some Islanders always complain about you will have a nice bill on your plate to swallow for not welcoming them back.
The seasonal residents and
Summer ResidentThe seasonal residents and visitors/tourists you consider A collective group of “hated, disease-carrying” individuals afford you the opportunity to even have a ferry at the cost you do. The monies they pay in taxes pay for the economic subsidies that even enable the steamship rates to be as low as they are... Summer residents overwhelming support the municipalities fiscally as they pour in money and don’t utilize services for 70% of the year, have children attend schools, while employing a significant portion of the population by way of their spending and investment into the community... If the inverse were to happen, should main-landers ban goods from being sent to the island? Food, propane, gasoline, and other essential consumables...
Do they not have sarcasm off
Josh EdgartownDo they not have sarcasm off-island? Edgartownite was clearly being facetious.
The recent strident
Bob OBThe recent strident demonization of summer people by some "islanders" already had many people considering cancellation of their travel plans. This announcement will certainly help them to come to a conclusion in that regard. Why go where you're not welcome, especially when you have to work twice as hard to get there. We may not have had a single hospitalization due to COVID-19, but the 2020 season is beyond resuscitation.
Painful though it is to be
Realist West TisburyPainful though it is to be honest, let's all try for once: If they are running half the ferries anyway due to CV-19, then it makes little sense to open the OB terminal. It can't work in a northeaster and the SSA can hardly afford to run at all this year thanks to CV.
Seriously, folks. Would anyone seriously stand up and support this if it were in Alabama? No: If this was happening in a Republican state we'd all be lining up to decry the "pork" of having two functionally-identical terminals a few miles apart.
So at heart, folks in OB are (understandably) selfish. Which is OK, we're all selfish at times. But at some point it falls to the government to override that and do what makes sense: and "running more terminals than you need, so that people don't have to travel 5 minutes to downtown OB" makes no sense.
makes sense to me. though
anniemakes sense to me. though your comment may get lost among all this mess of comments getting off track. but then, i'm a realist too.
Let’s hope that this
Summer resident Mclean VaLet’s hope that this ‘Islander against the non- islander’ attitude ceases....as we all recognize that the tax base is supported heavily by those “disease carrying“ off islanders that some consistently love to speak harshly of. When did this happen, where so many people on MV now sound like Trumpsters with blather bluster, buffoonery, hatred and animosity?
How about this .... don’t hate me; either return decades of my tax dollars used to support the island economy, schools, roads, beaches, infrastructure, trails and parks....or be grateful for the support, welcome me, and wave a greeting as I say to you “great seeing you again neighbor.”
The SSA has over 700
Sinking Ship OBThe SSA has over 700 employees yet only furloughed 100. Is there a miracle the SSA is praying for?
That's interesting and not
ecs Ft Lauderdale / EdgartownThat's interesting and not unexpected given the management in place at the SSA
Sadly, I don’t think this is
Kristin Zern West TisburySadly, I don’t think this is going to be a normal summer with our usual tourists and summer residents. Are tourists going to want to travel and come? How are we all going to survive without a summer season? That is the real question. We need to find a solution as our circumstances are unique. We are going to need a bailout just for seasonal islands.
I am one of those "terrible
Miriam Gonzalzles, Summer Resident Oak BluffsI am one of those "terrible summer residents" having purchased my home in OB over 25 years ago when my husband and I were younger and working towards a comfortable retirement. We are now retired, and that house we bought those many years ago is about to finally become someplace we can spend many months instead of a week or two every summer. And in all those years, I never felt the taxes I was paying wasn't worth every penny. So, I am a bit put out right now to hear that the OB terminal may not be opened because of these extensive repairs that, for some reason, have miraculously materialized. It is insane to ask us to believe that no one was aware of the extent of this impending issue. Thirty five (35) pilings don't all go bad at once. This is a clear case of gross mismanagement. All the taxes paid by "terrible summer residents" which go to help support the Islanders year round should have resulted in at least some consideration to how we are accommodated, i.e., get on and off the island, when we come to enjoy our homes and further support the local economy. OB is critically important for us to be able to get on and off the Vineyard; a trip that has its great moments - like when you sit up top of the ferry and your worries melt away and the salty breeze is the best thing you have smelled in ages. And it's not so great moments - fighting for that ferry slot on the right time and date and all the other logistics involved in the annual trek. So a solution needs to be found and found quickly. This summer may be shot, but a problem of this magnitude will not solve itself overnight. For sure, we will not be wanting to hear more of this bull in 2021, i.e., it's mid-April and we don't know what to do about the OB terminal. What is "safe"? And for those suggesting that the ferry should be for residents only and run like the Chappy Ferry - get a clue. We are homeowners and we reside in those homes during the summer.
Miriam is correct. Not all 35
ECS Ft Lauderdale / EdgartownMiriam is correct. Not all 35 pilings have gone bad at once but given the management of the SSA over the years they all could be bad though frankly I doubt its anything close to that. There are alternatives, no trucks, no cars parked on the dock platform, etc.
It may be necessary to limit the day trippers [see my comment on the 'Coronavirus Cases Stay at 12 ...'. No lease in hand [verifiable with a phone call to the owner before boarding the ferry, no boarding]. A few well published examples of offenders turned away will make spot checking a few a working methodology. I paid an obscene amount for a night's accommodation years ago when a ferry was cancelled in one of those miserable WH motels up the hill from the ferry.
“ must be the virus”
Jim Menemsha“ must be the virus”
“ should never have let Tom Brady leave”
“ pier? Is this what they meant by pier pressure???”
Bye Bob
“
It seems like the real
Storm WatcherIt seems like the real 'perfect storm' here is the SSA dealing with the OB town leadership. I was going to say it's like watching a big budget Hollywood disaster movie, but on second thought it's more like the Three Stooges. Butter up the popcorn!
Please! Don't insult the
ecs Ft Lauderdale / EdgartownPlease! Don't insult the Stooges. I love 'em.
You seem to forget we live in
Jane EdgartownYou seem to forget we live in the United States of America. You are free to come and go anywhere you want. The SSA is our 'highway' and "turnpike". All citizens pay federal and state highway taxes. Doh! How ignorant can you be - unless this is a joke. And, then it's funny.
Be thankful you can come and
Rick Mac MichiganBe thankful you can come and go anywhere you want! In Michigan we have been ordered not to travel to our second homes (or use motorized boats or have gatherings of any size, or have professional lawn care etc). Hope that doesn't happen to you. I also hope the week we paid for will happen. Promise to be disease free.
Well you can’t come and go
JoshWell you can’t come and go over a pier that’s ready to collapse.
I think the first order of
Steve WhalenI think the first order of business should be a halt to the proposed new ticket office in WH. The SSA should bend over backwards to see if this hugely expensive project can be shelved permanently by relocating personnel elsewhere, such as the new building at Palmer Ave, employing readily available off-the-shelf technology to greatly enhance all-electronic ticketing, offering more Work From Home options for employees, which is likely to be much more commonplace going forward? What did Wayne Gretzky say, "Skate to where the puck is going to be not to where it is."
Steve, unfortunately what you
Mark EdgartownSteve, unfortunately what you suggest is just so rational that the SSA would just ignore....
I have been a summer renter
Denise Best Hartford, CTI have been a summer renter for nearly 25 years. While I commiserate with island business owners, I worry about the health of year-round residents if tourism is allowed this summer. I will not be spending two weeks at my favorite respite this year, and I sincerely hope that the powers that be decide to err on the side of caution, If so, the SSA will have the summer to make repairs. Be safe and healthy.
The mismanagement of the
Washashore EdgartownThe mismanagement of the steamship authority is unbelievable! They spend money like water. They commission vessels that are so unseaworthy that they cannot make the vineyard run frequently. The WH terminal building replacement is a waste of money. The temporary terminal is doing the job. They need to be more fiscally responsible and plan better. They commissioned an underwater survey of the OB terminal to be completed in Q1 of 2020. What was their plan to make necessary repairs if any problems were found before the upcoming season? Why didn’t they do this in 2019 when the terminal was first closed for the fall-winter? Simple mismanagement! Time for a major leadership change at the steamship authority!
What a gross display of
Mark EdgartownWhat a gross display of institutional incompetence. They entire senior management team of the SSA needs to be replaced and governance needs to be overhauled. The amount of failures including ferry maintenance, cost overruns, terminal redesigns and now basic pier maintenance is astounding. Summer 2020 will already be challenging enough, but for this to now all of a sudden percolate is truly troubling.
I've been coming to Martha's
long-time seasonal resident Westchester County, NYI've been coming to Martha's Vineyard all my life and purchased a home in Edgartown 10 years ago. This is the first time I've ever commented on a Gazette article, but I must say how upset I am by many of the comments I've seen over the past few weeks regarding off-island residents and visitors. I'm happy to pay all the taxes I do while consuming very little in the way of public services. But you know what - I do not appreciate being demonized and made to feel so unwelcome when frankly I have as much right to be there as anyone else. Is Edgartown going to give me a partial rebate on my property taxes to account for the time this spring when I wanted to visit but was told to stay away? Be careful what you wish for because your economy and strong public infrastructure only work with a robust community of off-island visitors. I thought we were supposed to all be in this together...
I could not agree more. It
30 year seasonal resident Cambridge, MAI could not agree more. It has been very unsettling to read all the comments on line (Islander Talk) demonizing “summer people”. But I have to say that I am not surprised. I have always felt an undercurrent of dislike from many islanders, who not only make “us and them” comments but show it through actions. Won’t stop me one bit from coming to a place that I love and staying in my home that I adore, with family and friends. Most of them also “summer people” Just makes me more aware of who some islanders really are. Too bad, but good to know.
Ditto for our family
Summer Resident New Haven, CTDitto for our family Westchester County. No situation is perfect. If the “Islanders” had a problem with us intruders the town leaders should have came together many, many years ago and set stricter zoning regulations and the like as a collective island body. It is a small island, why have 6 fire depts., etc. While the island leaders have bickered on and on about rotaries, Dunkin’ Donuts, Stop and Shop and Mopeds to name a few, huge swaths of property were turned into huge private enclaves, old island boutiques and artists stores (the life of the old island) were replaced by the franchise stores catering to the silicone crowd. All the while you, the islander, complain when someone wants to build affordable housing for the island families and workers who cater to the silicone bunch.
It’s time to look in the mirror and ask who harmed who. Our dirty money hides your years of mistakes and mismanagement.
Well said.
Bryan Nelson West Tisbury and Sudbury MAWell said.
Without seasonal and tourist dollars, we have bigger problems. Many of our seasonal residents support a number of community programs and services, as well as pay taxes that support our schools and seniors.
Please do not accept the ignorant comments from a few as gospel. There are a lot of circumstances driving a range of emotions right now.
Take them with stride and stay safe! We are in this together!
If I wasn't wearing this mask
Chad Griffin Seattle-West TisburyIf I wasn't wearing this mask, you could see me smile - DITTO
Come on, fellow Summer People
That White SUV with the NY NY/OBCome on, fellow Summer People...
Get a grip.
If this is the first time you’ve ever experienced seasonal resident/ tourist / visitor bias, you’ve been pretty lucky. Or pretty dense. Do you think that other resort location LOVE LOVE LOVE the influx of tourists, reliant as the may be on the revenue they generate. Um, no...they don’t.
Why?
Because we can be annoying and entitled and forget that everyone here is not on vacation. And some people are snotty and obnoxious in Stop n Shop to the cashiers and at the post office and walking down Circuit Avenue.
We *are* in this together so
Summer since ‘63 At home, of courseWe *are* in this together so let’s act like it.
We *aren’t * welcome on the island right now. Frankly, we’re not welcome anywhere but in our own homes. No one is. Don’t demonize the islanders for expecting us to comply with lawful stay at home mandates.
Vacation homeowners in The Hamptons, or Sag Harbor, or Virginia Beach or Nantucket are in the same position. Year-round residents with limited Medical resources are understandably stressed. Have some compassion.
And let’s be honest...sometimes some of us Summer People don’t make it easy...sometimes some of us act like everyone is on vacation, too and like we own the whole island, not just our piece of it. Sometimes some of us are disruptive and condescending and disrespectful. And like normal humans, the people on the other end of that don’t like it and can’t wait for it to go away after Labor Day. And as a result, some of them do what they can to resist.
But that’s life in a resort area. It’s what it is.
But what we *can* do is not perpetuate the unfortunate stereotype of entitled Summer People by stomping our virtual feet because we have to comply with a lawful order and legitimate plea from the hospital.
Or not. The choice is yours.
"Long-time seasonal resident"
Elizabeth NYC and EDG"Long-time seasonal resident" from Westchester County - I know exactly how you feel. I too purchased a home 15 years ago after visiting the Island most of my life. Since doing so, I have been exposed to more and more hate from year round people even though I hire people, invest locally and give to non-profits more than ever before. I would think that these actions would have endeared me to the year round community that I support in SO many ways. Instead, I see now how they hoard the very things I have paid for and cloak this behavior under the guise of "do what we know is best". AND I have received more solicitations from non-profits than usual. And I bet my taxes that pay for the things I don't use will also go up. Time to re-think a few things.
I have been coming annually
joanne ChilmarkI have been coming annually to the Vineyard since 1980 -- since our honeymoon 40 years ago. We rented the same house for 23 years and bought a house 17 years ago. About 10 years ago we became full time year rounders.
The vast majority of my friends now are islanders, and just a few who still come for the summer only. Frankly, I made extra efforts years ago to make friends with people who live here, to be part of the community. And now my dearest friend in the world are islanders. I have noticed that a lot of seasonal residents never make that effort. They stick to themselves, and they treat the locals like their "work force." They have no interest in making friends locally.
Now the seasonal residents are surprised that the locals do not embrace them in times of crisis? Where is your commitment to the life of the island, and to the people here? Yes, you spend money and donate to local causes -- good for you. You are generous with money but not your friendship.
You cannot be surprised now that islanders -- fearful for their health, their children's education, their economic survival -- are not feeling a generosity of feeling towards you. It's not surprising to me.
Long-Time Seasonal - good
ECS Ft Lauderdale / EdgartownLong-Time Seasonal - good comment. I have been coming yearly since the late 60s, bought my 1st property in the early 90s and for about the last 15 years given real consideration to selling out. The anti-summer residents has really gotten out of hand. Its not even subtle anymore.
PLEASE PEOPLE. LOVE THY
GODSPAL MARTHA'S VINEYARDPLEASE PEOPLE. LOVE THY NEIGHBOR. HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE.
Let’s take a look at last
Pro small businesses Oak BluffsLet’s take a look at last year’s 2018, engineering report of the OB pier. All the answers are there. If that report shows deterioration of many pilingsthe fault lies with SSA management for not planning appropriately and budgeting. This pier gets work done on it every year, why is this a surprise. I think that they are hiding their mismanagement behind COVID 19.
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