The dilapidated Island Theater building was on a few minds during the annual summer taxpayers meeting hosted by the oak Bluffs selectmen Tuesday night.
One resident questioned selectmen about the closed theatre, which he called an eyesore at the entrance to the downtown area.
“Nothing happens there,” he said. “The only thing we see is a roof and a paint job. It’s gone on and on. There has been discussion after discussion, report after report.”
Selectman Brian Packish said the building has been stabilized, and is no longer dangerous, and that the selectmen have done all they can.
“We’ve exercised every right that we have, short of us deciding as a town we would like to take it by eminent domain or an investment,” Mr. Packish said. “We’ve had a number of people come forward looking to purchase that building. The biggest challenge has come that our wastewater system is currently at its capacity.”
Selectman Gail Barmakian, who also sits on the wastewater district commission, said the building could be developed into other uses, but she said a large bar or restaurant would probably not be approved for increased wastewater flow.
Another summer resident raised questions about parking and trash issues surrounding the Barn Bowl & Bistro bowling alley on Uncas avenue.
“A couple of years ago when the bowling alley was allowed to build, people who lived on Hiawatha Park were given somewhat of an assurance that the town would insure the bowling alley would be good neighbors,” the woman said. “We live with trash in the park, broken glass, and almost no parking spaces.”
She also questioned the location of the business’s recycling and trash bins on the park side of the building.
Selectman Mike Santoro promised to look into the complaints during fall sessions of the town roads and byways committee, which he heads.
Earlier in the meeting, a citizen beach committee appealed to selectmen for support to rake town beaches a second time this month.
“My hope was there could be a show of support, particularly from the board of selectmen,” said committee member Kathy Lazkowski.
The conservation commission issues the permit that governs the number of times the beaches are mechanically raked.
“The permit allows one raking of the beach in August, and that has happened,” said conservation agent Liz Durkee. “In order to change a permit you need to amend the permit and that requires an ad in the paper and a public hearing and abutter notification, all of which takes two to three weeks, so there isn’t time to rake it again this month. The permit expires this winter, so the entire process will be reopened for a public hearing before next summer.”
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