The Martha’s Vineyard Commission late last week quickly approved a $1.42 million budget for fiscal year 2016, marking a 2.4 per cent decrease from last year. Modest increases in salaries and employee benefits, as well as some administrative and operating increases, were offset by a $52,000 reduction in legal spending for this year, and other smaller reductions.
The six Island towns, along with Gosnold, contribute most of the MVC budget through property taxes. This year’s total contribution from the towns was $1,012,940, down 3.3 per cent from last year.
“Last year was a little rough and tumble when it came to putting the budget out to the towns,” said MVC clerk and treasurer John Breckenridge, who gave the annual budget report at the commission meeting Thursday. He recalled that towns had been asked for an extra $75,000 to replenish the MVC’s general fund following unusually high legal spending the year before. “This year was very smooth sailing,” he said.
A quorum of nine commissioners unanimously passed the new budget, with only minor discussion.
More than three quarters of the annual MVC budget pays for employee salaries and benefits. The total salaries for all 10 staff members increased this year from $771,266 to $810,575, reflecting a 1.6 per cent increase in the cost of living and a 2.4 per cent merit increase.
Other budget increases this year related to the commission’s search for a new executive director, and some possible overlap between the current and future directors. Executive director Mark London will step down at the end of the summer. The commission is in the early stages of a national search.
Mr. Breckenridge said the commission tends to budget conservatively when it comes to grants, contracts and gifts. He noted that the state is facing a potential $700 million deficit by the end of this fiscal year, but that the MVC has already received about half of its state funding.
“We hopefully will not receive any surprises, but when it comes to grant income we do tend to budget conservatively,” he said. “So we’re going to be okay whether there is a fall-through up in Boston or not.” He added: “The outlook for us is very positive this year.”
In other business, the commissioners turned to the Islandwide fertilizer regulations that were approved by Island towns last year. The regulations govern the use of fertilizer on turf, and are in response to increasing nutrient runoff into the Island’s ponds and estuaries. They were presented by the Island boards of health as an alternative to state regulations that are still in the planning stage and that many believe do not fit the Island’s needs.
At last year’s town meeting in Edgartown, voters approved the new rules, but also an amendment that would remove an exemption for agricultural and horticultural use. Because the rules were reviewed as an Islandwide district of critical planning concern (DCPC), the amendment required a public hearing and the approval of the MVC.
Edgartown health agent Matt Poole, who had helped spearhead the Islandwide efforts, argued Thursday that the regulations as written already applied to agricultural and horticultural use, at least to some degree, and that it would be beneficial to strike the exemption. He said the rules were “very much turf-specific” but in terms of application, there are “modest areas where agricultural activity would be governed.”
MVC senior planner William Veno noted that one of the key features of the regulations was that they would be shared by all six Island towns. “By simply removing the language, it doesn’t change the regulations,” he said. But he added that Edgartown farmers would then need a license to use fertilizer, unlike farmers in other towns. Mr. Poole said the requirement could be waived, but he didn’t see the harm in keeping it as way to increase compliance.
DCPC coordinator Jo-Ann Taylor endorsed the amendment, and the commissioners voted unanimously to find it in conformance with the original regulations.
An Islandwide fertilizer course organized by Adult and Community Education of Martha’s Vineyard, in partnership with the University of Massachusetts, is set for Saturday, March 21, at the regional high school. The course will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration with is $85.
Certificates will be issued upon successful completion of a test in the days following the course. Certificate holders may then apply for a fertilizer license from their town offices at a cost of $100. Each license will be valid for three years in all six Island towns. Enforcement of the new regulations begins March 1.
Commissioners also voted Thursday to consider adding three roads in West Tisbury to the Island road district special ways zone, which aims to preserve historic roads and paths. Pine Hill Road, Red Coat Hill Road, Motts Hill Road and Shubael Weeks Road will be considered in a public hearing Feb. 19.
According to materials prepared by the MVC, the planning board has already presented “compelling statements” in support of the designation. Pine Hill Road was once a major route from Old County Road to Lambert’s Cove Road. Red Coat Hill was used as a lookout over the harbor during the Revolutionary War, and during a four-day invasion in 1778 a British force of redcoats seized the area, leaving behind a red coat on a hill. Shubael Weeks Road was named for a Tisbury selectman who served during the raid. Red Coat Hill Road and Shubael Weeks Road extend into Tisbury.
“These are visible remnants of the Island’s history prior to the advent of motor vehicles,” the nomination papers state, in part. “The town of West Tisbury needs to protect these ancient paths and byways for foot and hoof passage from one part of town to another and from one town to another.”
Thursday’s vote to accept the nominations initiated a moratorium on development around the roads. The West Tisbury planning board hopes to present an article to voters at its annual town meeting April 14.
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