Edgartown selectmen this week balked at eliminating parking and altering the traffic configuration on North Water street to accommodate lines for the Chappaquiddick ferry this winter.

At the regular meeting Monday ferry owner Peter Wells requested the changes, which have been in effect during the winter months in recent years. He said he expects occasional traffic back-ups this winter, when the larger of the two Chappaquiddick ferries is out of the water for maintenance.

Mr. Wells wants to create a waiting lane on North Water street and allow traffic to travel over the part of the street in front of the Edgartown Inn and Edgartown Library, where there is currently a loading zone and three parking spots, including a handicapped spot. This year, an extensive construction project, the remodeling of the Captain Warren House, complicates the changes.

“I don’t see that working this year,” said selectman Margaret Serpa, “I think it’s going to create more of a tie-up.”

Town administrator Pam Dolby said town hall was flooded with complaints when the parking spots were eliminated before, and library director Lisa Sherman, said parking is a chronic problem.

“We get a lot of comments about the difficulty of parking, finding a spot,” Mrs. Sherman said. “The handicap spot is kind of important.”

Mr. Wells said he was concerned about confusion and tempers flaring as drivers transition from Simpson’s Lane to Daggett street.

“If the police keep getting called down there, we’ll have to address it,” said selectman Art Smadbeck.
 Mr. Wells said the ferry will be out of service for a minimum of two weeks and more likely for two months.

Also at Monday’s meeting selectmen approved additional work hours for Melinda Defeo, the garden coordinator at the Edgartown School. The unanimous vote increase the garden coordinator position from two days a week, to three days a week.

“I can tell you there is a definite need to extend from two days to three days,” said school principal John Stevens. “If we could expand to five days a week, that would be wonderful.”

The extra hours will be funded by a private foundation grant for the next three years, but the added hours mean the town will be required to provide health benefits. Mr. Stevens said there is room in the school budget to absorb the cost.

“I know the town, as well as the school, manages the number of medical benefit plans,” Mr. Stevens said. “I’m optimistic the school will be able to pay for the medical benefit package.”