Oak Bluffs selectmen discussed ongoing plans for a solar array at the landfill and heard proposal for an Islandwide health collaborative at their meeting Tuesday. They also heard from two entrepreneurs about new businesses downtown.
Liz Argo, a representative from Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative (CVEC), updated the board on a project to install solar panels at the capped landfill off County Road and Pennsylvania avenue.
“It’s a great use for a piece of land that otherwise can’t be put to use,” Ms. Argo said. “And what it would mean is money to the town.”
Ms. Argo said solar power generated could be used for the town wastewater treatment facility, and energy could be stored in a battery. There are similar solar installations on capped landfills in other towns including Tisbury and West Tisbury.
The town received a grant of $12,500 in 2017 for the project, and Ms. Argo said there has been interest from developers. Bids for the project are due in April. The town also plans to install solar panels at the fire station and elementary school.
Selectmen also heard from Cynthia Mitchell, CEO of Island Health Care in Edgartown, who wants to establish an Islandwide health collaborative using vacant office space above the Center for Living in Vineyard Haven. The collaborative would allow for Islandwide public health studies and data collection and create eligibility for federal grants. Mrs. Mitchell is making the rounds of Island towns and met with Chilmark selectmen last week. She is applying for a Martha’s Vineyard Vision Fellowship to get the program going.
All six towns need to sign off on the proposal to lease out the second-floor office space of the Center for Living building at no cost. Towns contributed to the purchase of the building two years ago with the understanding that the upper floor would be rented out. But county manager Martina Thornton said there had been no takers.
“The space is still empty, and I cannot do what intermunicipal agreement was intending to do,” Ms. Thornton said.
Selectmen expressed disappointment that a paying tenant could not be found for the building, but reacted positively to the integrated health collaborative concept.
“In essence you will be able to look at different health and human service agencies on the Island and help us to improve them if that’s possible or streamline them?” selectman Gregory Coogan asked.
“Or look at whether or not they’re meeting the needs based on data, based on analysis,” Mrs. Mitchell replied.
Selectman Brian Packish said he liked the idea of a collaborative to reduce costs.
“I still believe strongly that there’s a tremendous amount of duplication of service . . . administrative, office use, all these things,” he said.
In the end the board voted to approve the change 4-0-1, with chairman Gail Barmakian abstaining.
In other business, the board approved a request from MV Salads LLC for a new business at 55 Circuit avenue. Owner Susanna Herlitz-Ferguson said the plan calls for selling Island themed merchandise on one side of the space and a custom salad bar on the other.
“I’ve seen them in Boston. They’re very popular now,” selectman Michael Santoro said of salad restaurants.
Ms. Herlitz-Ferguson said she hopes to open by Memorial Day.
David Keefe also approached selectmen with a proposal to renovate 28 Kennebec avenue as a farm stand for selling fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers.
“Our intent is to provide products for people who are in the neighborhood,” he said.
Selectmen waited to approve the plan until the permitting process was complete, but said they were pleased with the idea.
“I think it’s a great improvement to the property,” Ms. Barmakian said.
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