One of the great public views on the Vineyard at the Tashmoo Overlook is disappearing behind a wall of willows, but instead of calling in tree surgeons to open the vista up, the trees’ owners have called in their lawyers.
The Tisbury selectmen complained on Tuesday night that despite more than a year of attempts to negotiate a solution, the owners of the trees, the Thomas and Ginny Payette family of Tashmoo Farm, remained intransigent and have now refused to talk further, except through their legal representative.
But the town believes it has grounds, under the state Wetlands Protection Act, to have the trees removed.
In an unusual move, selectman Tristan Israel preempted a closed executive session of the board to flag the collective disappointment with the owners’ response to the disappearing view problem.
He accused the Payettes of selfishness and insensitivity to the greater good.
The issue first arose last May, after a complaint by a Tisbury resident to the town.
“We had a discussion with Mr. Payette,” Mr. Israel said, adding: “He agreed to meet with us, [but] every time we wanted to meet it seemed there was some reason he couldn’t make the meeting.”
This went on through all of last winter, Mr. Israel said.
Several weeks ago, after another discussion, Mr. Payette invited the selectmen to walk the property, but that meeting also was cancelled. The selectmen then wrote to the owners, saying they wished to meet before the end of August.
“Now Mr. Payette has sent us a response from his lawyer, which also says any further correspondence should not go to him but through his lawyer,” Mr. Israel said. He continued:
“I’m extremely disappointed we could not work something out with Mr. Payette. We have been very patient and have tried to be accommodating to their schedule.
“Mr. Payette … in effect blew us off.
“You used to be able to have a nice view. That view is fast being eaten up. Willow trees expand out two to four feet a year, so it’s a just a matter of time. A few years and in the summer the view will be gone.
“I find it, I can only use the word selfish. I want the public to know we tried civilly, politely, any way we could to work with the Payettes on this matter.
“Now we are going to have to examine our options.”
Other selectmen echoed Mr. Israel’s concern.
“There are three great views on the Island,” said selectman Denys Wortman, “the Gay Head Cliffs at Aquinnah, the Keith Farm on Middle Road and the Tashmoo Overlook.
“It’s a shame. The state put the overlook parking area there so people could enjoy it.”
Town counsel is being consulted about the next step, but Mr. Israel said after the meeting he believed action could be taken under the Wetlands Protection Act, which requires permitting for plantings close to a wetland. He believed no such permission ever was sought.
Even though the trees were planted about 1974, he said he believed there was “no statute of limitations on action under the act.”
Willow trees have aggressive, fibrous root systems, sucker easily and can become pest species.
Telephone calls to the Payettes for comment this week were not returned.
The Tashmoo Overlook, which shelters a freshwater spring once used as a water source for the town, has long been a storied place on the Vineyard.
“Tashmoo is the Vineyard lake, and there is no record of any visitor who failed to express pleasure at the music and poetry of the name, and its application to the sheet of water, framed within green trees and against the distant water of Vineyard Sound, which may be seen by any traveler of the main highway from Vineyard Haven to West Tisbury,” wrote the late Joseph Chase Allen in the Gazette in 1958.
In the same year, public discussion began over construction of a turnout parking area for sightseers at the overlook.
“This spot, one of the few remaining views of the Island not obscured by trees, overlooks a large portion of Tashmoo Farm and the lake beyond and is especially favored by large numbers of people who enjoy the view,” the Gazette reported.
This article appears in August 15, 2008.
I hope they can prune or remove the willows. During my last two visits to the Island, the lake was obscured by the trees, as were the fields on the farm. Willows thrive near water, and their roots extend below the water’s surface.
We used to have another “great view” in Vineyard Haven, namely the approaches to the drawbridge, now obscured by Russian Olive, ragged cedars and invasive vines. No overlook is needed because traffic is so often at a standstill. Maybe the town fathers could direct their gaze that way, and have some major clearing untaken.
I would suggest they offer to plant a grove of copper beech or corkscrew willows in a high profile location and allow the owner of the willows to have it named as a memorial park to honor the person of their choice in exchange for adjusting the view. All views-expecially those involving wetlands fill with trees. Watching the progress of nature confounding the will of man is also a pretty sight. Refer to the book “Should Trees Have Standing” for more info.
Another view that is all but gone is the view of Menemsha Pond and Menemsha Village from the overlook on State Rd.
The island has become way too overgrown, in my opinion. Once, the island was open, rolling meadows with backyards that were conducive to neighborly conversations. The once open vistas have been lost to trees, high hedge-rows, vines, a fear of pruning, and the newcomer’s obsession with privacy – to wit, the proliferation of stockade fences and sentry-rows of arbor vitae. Time to rev up the chain saws, I’d say.
What about the view of Menemsha pond just past Squibnocket beach entry road. That is a great view if no one has noticed.
I would agree with Mr. Israel, these types of Vineyard classic places are what makes the Vineyard special. The owners of the property should in a sense ‘donate the view, possibly getting some sort of tax incentive to do so.
You know, I just thought of another fantastic piece of Vineyard scenery. Just past Morning Glory Farm, past the small pond and bike bridge going towards Edgartown; look right, great – eh?
I regret the loss of this pretty view. But, it’s not the public’s to decide. lament the loss of view, but limit government.
I respect the rights of the Payettes to do with their private property what they wish. That takes precedence.