Edgartown selectmen voted on Monday to appeal the Martha’s Vineyard Commission’s approval of the roundabout for the blinker intersection in Oak Bluffs.
“It is not a complete plan,” said selectman Arthur Smadbeck at the weekly meeting Monday afternoon. Selectman Michael Donaroma agreed. “They’ve made a decision on a plan that doesn’t really exist, that bothers me,” he said. “I’m going to make the motion to appeal the decision until they get the right plan.”
The vote was unanimous to file an appeal in superior court.
The commission approved the roundabout by a single vote last month. Two weeks ago an attempt by commissioner Leonard Jason Jr. to rescind the first vote and start over failed — again by one vote.
Mr. Smadbeck noted that while the project is in Oak Bluffs, it will have an impact on Edgartown. “Probably more Edgartown residents flow back and forth between that intersection,” he said.
Mr. Smadbeck said he expects West Tisbury may join the appeal. Selectmen in that town meet on Wednesday afternoon.
This article appears in November 10, 2011.
Very smart move on the part of Leonard Jason, Jr. and the Town of Edgartown and their wise Selectmen. I concur,it affects each and every Vineyard town and not just Oak Bluffs. If the MVC intends to waste more than a million dollars on this project, lets all give in and simply put traffic lights there. The money could be better used for the Elderly, the unemployed, those who need their prescriptions filled, the hungry people, those in need of affordable housing, and many other social causes. A round about is just absurd to say the least !!
As always, Edgartown is way ahead of the rest of the Island when it comes to the MVC. Good for them!!
Someone needs to stop this insanity. And someone needs to listen to the populist
side which says, keep your state and federal funds, and come up with a simple solution that works for MV.
Thank you, Edgartown! Messrs. Jason, Smadbeck, and Donaroma are so right: the MVC has approved an incomplete plan — without ever demonstrating that a roundabout is the right solution for the blinker intersection. With any luck, the selectmen’s action will send a message to MassDOT that the highway funds would be better spent elsewhere.
Thank you Edgartown for stepping forward to appeal this unnecessary roundabout. Also thank you to West Tisbury selectpersons Knabel and Mitchell for your support as well. Much gratitude from your Vineyard constituency. We are the majority who are opposed to this project and you have spoken for us. Again, Thank you!
Let’s hope that Tisbury, Chilmark and Aquinnah join the appeal with Edgartown and West Tisbury. The boards of selectmen are the folks who represent us, not the MVC.
Is it time to start thinking about getting out of the commission again?
This is great news indeed! Thank you to everyone who signed the petitions and showed up at meetings. It’s a lot of work to push the river and change the flow… and it can happen! Occupy? well… yes We are, and Have and will continue ’till consensus is found…! Theoretically the MVC is doing this for Us, and maybe it’s time to re-boot that connection! If you can’t tell… I’m all in! C