Here’s something to think about over the winter: fire hydrants on Chappy. There has been a lot of talk lately about insurance issues for homes on Chappy. Some premiums have skyrocketed. Some folks have been cancelled outright. Homeowners insurance is complicated and comparisons between providers is not easy. One item that is clear though is distance to the nearest fire hydrant.

Chappy has excellent fire protection. Trucks are stationed on Chappy and assistance from town arrives quickly. The firefighters living on Chappy are a dedicated and skilled group. They are part of the Edgartown fire department and practice with all the other members of the department so that when assistance comes from town, everybody already knows everybody and how to work together.

Regardless, insurance companies seem to be stuck on the hydrant issue. Extending a water main pipe underwater is not new technology. All you need is time and money. Same thing for installing a string of fire hydrants along a road. Proponents of the idea point out that the savings in insurance premiums will offset some of the cost. That makes sense.

Remember back when the electric company installed conduits under the channel to upgrade service to Chappy? The first attempt didn’t go well enough to satisfy the electric company. Apparently at least one of the four conduits suffered damage in the process of being pulled through the tunnel created by horizontal directional drilling. However, rumor had it that at least two of the conduits came through unscathed. That wasn’t enough to meet the requirements of the electric company so a second successful attempt was made.

The conduits from the first attempt are still there. Their ends are capped and buried beneath the pavement. Their location is known. Perhaps they can be used as a first step in a larger project.

I know of several Chapppaquiddickers who have the knowledge and determination to pursue this worthwhile project. And at least one Chappy organization that can lend a hand. From what I have heard, there is support for the concept amongst folks on both sides of the harbor.