NOISE AT FIELD CLUB

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

When the Field Club in Katama sought approval from the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, the owners offered up many conditions in addition to those set by the commission in their final decision to approve the project. From that point forward, compliance with those permit conditions largely becomes voluntary with any enforcement typically left to town authorities. Unfortunately, this is the case with many of the more challenging MVC decisions.

Just about a year ago to the day, anyone living in the Katama section of Edgartown was treated to a free concert whether they wanted it or not at a nonprofit fundraiser held at the Field Club. Complaints were filed that night, but no action was taken, presumably because it was a one-night affair. This year another nonprofit is holding a fundraiser on August 1 at the same location. It is hoped that there is not a repeat of last year’s intrusion on the neighborhood, but even though the show will feature the soothing tones of jazz, it is unlikely that the amplified music will restrict itself to Field Club property. That, of course, is the issue. The Field Club approval, condition 11, prohibits amplified music that can be heard by neighboring properties (note, it doesn’t say abutters as has been wrongly interpreted and it also doesn’t mean that amplified music is okay if it ceases by 10 p.m. as established in separate Edgartown zoning rules). In a letter dated June 20, 2006, that same condition was proposed and agreed to by their attorney.

There is no record of how many other events have occurred at the Field Club prior to this or even if the event this week will impact the neighborhood, but if it does and if you are concerned about those impacts on the enjoyment of your property or noncompliance with the MVC permit, call the building inspector’s office, the police or the Martha’s Vineyard Commission. File your complaint and place your concern that you would like to see anyone subject to MVC decisions comply with them and that you support our local authorities in their efforts to facilitate compliance.

Why this is important has more to do with the commission than it does the Field Club, although the conditions of that approval were intended to minimize the impact on the neighborhood; there are also requirements that buses and trolleys be utilized to minimize traffic impacts on surrounding neighborhoods (condition 7 of the decision). Commission members are consistently advising the public to speak up when noncompliance with MVC decisions is observed. The MVC has minimal available staff to conduct compliance evaluations let alone initiate enforcement, and perhaps that is something that needs to be changed. A small assessment could be charged to each town to provide for staff to at least perform follow-up inspections and create some documentation to show to what extent compliance is being achieved. Look to other regional planning authorities as well to see if there are existing models to aid in this effort.

Whether the issue here is noise and a diminishment of the quality of life on the Vineyard or compliance with MVC decisions, it would really be nice to get a handle on these two issues before we all become so complacent that we lose track of what is really important here.

David Nash

Edgartown

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AIRPLANE NOISE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

We have been longtime residents of West Tisbury, and the air traffic in the summer of 2010 seems quite a bit more than in past years. Our neighborhood is in the takeoff path of the northwest runway in the vicinity of Seth’s Pond. A pilot friend of ours who flies out of Cape Cod and often visits us on the Vineyard had some suggestions to offer which we thought might help reduce some of the noise problem. First, unless there is a strong wind out of the northwest, would it be possible to suggest to pilots to use the northeast/southwest runway for noise considerations, and a longer runway for safety reasons? Second, when taking off to the northwest, could pilots make something like a 30-degree change in heading, left or right, at 500 feet, then climb on course after reaching about 1,100 feet?

Any efforts that can be made to lower aircraft noise will be greatly appreciated.

Richard Spillman

West Tisbury

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DOGS AT LAMBERT’S COVE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The lovely tradition of swimming with your dog and having them romp on the beach in the early morning and late evening at Lambert’s Cove Beach may soon come to an end.

Because of a tiny percentage of incidents, caused by irresponsible dog owners bringing dogs to the beach that don’t belong in that situation, we may all lose this longstanding privilege that was already shortened a few years ago to early and late hours.

More than 99 per cent of the dogs that are brought there are lovely and well-socialized. Visitors come just to see them and rent in the area to bring their own dogs.

This is a case of the many suffering for the irresponsibility of the very few. We can’t allow this privilege to be lost. We who enjoy the privilege will have to step up to the plate, tell West Tisbury parks and recreation not to ban dogs, but rather to work it out with those who are interested in keeping this lovely tradition. We can do it if we really care. I for one do.

Vivian Stein

West Tisbury

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VNA CLAMBAKE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The Vineyard Nursing Association hosted its 11th annual clambake on Wednesday, July 27 at the Field Gallery in West Tisbury. We were thrilled to welcome our largest audience ever to this important fundraiser.

The donations made during this night are typically used to fund the VNA’s daily operations. This year, the money raised will go toward our capital campaign to purchase our headquarters in Vineyard Haven, a critical move to ensure continued and expanded services to support a growing Island population.

The night would not have been possible without the many individuals and businesses who generously donated their time and services and wonderful items for auction. We greatly appreciate the financial contributions of our event sponsors, and I wish to thank our patrons who came out in questionable weather and braved pouring rain to support the VNA! Thank you to all.

Bob Tonti

West Tisbury

The writer is chief executive officer of the Vineyard Nursing Association.

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THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Four summers now without Max and Emma’s honor system lemonade stand on the State Forest bike path! Where are they? Probably developing a start-up in Silicon Valley to eclipse Apple.

Mike Robbins

New York city

and West Chop