Jim Hickey

Committee Plans Refurbishment at Old Pay Beach in Oak Bluffs

As a familiar stretch of Oak Bluffs waterfront continues its winter hibernation, the sand unblemished by human footprints or children's sand castles, plans are underway to breathe new life into what was once one of the busiest beaches on the Island.

 

 

 

Oak Bluffs selectmen on Tuesday again expressed frustration with the ongoing problems at the Nova Vida Church on the corner of Ryan’s Way and Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, after the church submitted new plans to build a rooming house on the second floor and a large tent in the front yard to hold church services at night during the summer.

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Oak Bluffs wastewater officials on Tuesday unveiled a $2.58 million sewer expansion plan along County Road between the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and town fire station, which would connect some 450 lots to the town sewer system, 119 of which are currently vacant.

Wastewater superintendent Joe Alosso presented the plan at the selectmen’s regular meeting; he said the expansion is intended to dramatically reduce nitrogen loading in the Lagoon Pond. Although the sewer plan has been discussed in the past, this was the first time the plans were made public.

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The Oak Bluffs parks commission on Monday reviewed draft rules for town parks and beaches that among other things would close parks at 10 p.m., prohibit flower picking and ban pets from playgrounds and baseball fields.

Authored by Nancy Phillips, chairman of the parks commission, the rules would apply to all town beaches and parks, including Ocean Park, Waban Park, Nashawena Park, Sunset Park, Veira Park, Inkwell Beach and the old pay beach.

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Ever since she was young, 20-year-old Emily Reich knew she belonged on the water.

“I started sailing at the East Chop yacht club when I was only eight years old, after my mom brought us here to the Island. Normally they don’t let you start sailing until you’re 10. But they let me try and I took to it . . . I was comfortable out there. I was at home. And I’ve been around boats ever since,” she said.

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Although it was completed and opened to motorists just last week, the new Big Bridge spanning Oak Bluffs and Edgartown at Joseph Sylvia State Beach has already caused concern among county officials, who worry the back railing of the wooden platform is too close to Beach Road, leaving pedestrians and sunbathers at risk of injury by oncoming traffic this summer.

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Before a cheering crowd of parents, students and fans, the boys’ tennis team powered through the first two rounds of the state tournament at home this weekend with a pair of no-nonsense wins against Cohasset on Friday and Ashland yesterday.

The team is having one of its best seasons ever under head coach Ned Fennessey.

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