Oak Bluffs selectmen this week appointed new building commissioners and an acting town accountant and gave the green light to a range of businesses, from an established oyster farm off Eastville to a new ice cream shop on Circuit avenue.
At the meeting Tuesday, town administrator Robert Whritenour proposed a creative solution to filling the vacancy left by outgoing building inspector Mark Barbadoro, who is leaving to take a job off-Island. Selectmen agreed to appoint Thomas Perry, recently retired building commissioner in Barnstable, and Eladio Gore, recently retired building inspector in Falmouth, to jointly cover the position while the town advertises for a permanent inspector and an assistant.
“We’re very confident that this will get us through this interim period and also maintain a high level of services,” Mr. Whritenour said. He also issued a plea for experienced builders that might be interested in switching to a regulatory role to consider applying to work at the department, where they could receiving training from Mr. Perry and Mr. Gore.
Mr. Barbadoro’s last day was Friday. Among other things, he has helped lead town efforts to deal with the run-down Island Theatre on Circuit avenue, which has been declared a safety hazard.
Selectman also agreed to name assistant town accountant Deborah Potter as acting town accountant. Mr. Whritenour praised her leadership and thirst for professional development.
He said that Mrs. Potter, the former assistant manager at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport, is involved in a detailed training process, and he was confident the selectmen could soon officially appoint her to the job.
In other business, selectmen renewed an aquaculture license for Dan and Greg Martino’s oyster farm off Eastville Beach. The Martino brothers opened their business, Cottage City Oysters, three years ago. The application process was complicated by concerns from abutters, including a lawsuit that was later dropped.
Dan Martino told selectmen that abutters often visit the farm now by kayak and there have been few complaints and no conflicts with boaters. Shellfish constable David Grunden concurred. “They’ve been doing a great job,” he said.
Cottage City oysters are sold in Island restaurants and at the Net Result. “We’ve been selling out every year,” Greg Martino said.
“It’s been a blast,” Dan Martino said.
“The process you went through . . . you guys stuck with it,” selectman Michael Santoro said.
Selectmen also approved a request from Yu Binbin to open a new seasonal business at 7 Circuit avenue extension. Mr. Binbin plans to make Thai-style ice cream on the spot. Selectmen approved the business with the stipulation that outdoor seating has not yet been approved
The board also approved a request for a mobile food permit for the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks and renewed the town’s four-year lease with the Steamship Authority for the Oak Bluffs terminal. The amount the boat line pays Oak Bluffs in rent has increased from $10,000 a year to $15,000 a year, and will increase slightly every year according to the price index.
Mr. Whritenour said the town is also working with the boat line on a circulation plan for traffic around the terminal.
The summer terminal opens for the season May 16.
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