The Edgartown select board is expected to make a decision on the proposed transfer of the Chappy Ferry license after taking public comments from more than 30 community members Monday.
The residents and taxpayers packed the meeting room in town hall to talk about the proposed sale of the ferry, the only reliable way on and off Chappaquiddick, to Brian Scall and a small group of investors. While members of the Chappaquiddick Ferry steering committee, an advisory committee made up of Chappaquiddick residents, relayed their concerns over the lack of transparency around the investor group, there was strong support among the community to transfer the license agreement as written.
“We need to let Brian have his chance to try and work things out,” said Woody Filley, a resident of Chappaquiddick. “He has spent so much time listening to people, and really here, I can’t even think of anybody I know who spent that much time and that much commitment to our community.”
During an opening statement made before the board, Mr. Scall acknowledged the work Peter Wells and Sally Snipes accomplished in their tenure as ferry owners.
“They surpassed their obligation to this town for over 19 years,” he said. “Today, I’m asking you to let me continue that service.”
Since the sale proposal was first announced in March, Mr. Scall has said that he is here for the long haul and plans to operate the ferry for the next 20 to 25 years.
Peter Getsinger, a long time Chappaquiddick resident and a member of the steering committee, suggested that the select board review the license in two years, a move that was widely accepted by community members present at Monday’s meeting.
As Chappaquiddick fast approaches peak summer season, Mr. Getsinger’s suggestion could allow for more refinement of the license agreement after Mr. Scall, an experienced captain who has been working alongside the current owners for the past year, has had an opportunity to conduct ferry operations for a time.
Although the ferry is privately owned, it operates under a license granted by the town. The agreement currently being proposed is identical to the one that was transferred to Mr. Wells and Ms. Snipes in 2008, and is the same agreement that was also transferred to the previous owner in 1993.
Some felt it was time to revamp the license agreement.
“The current license framework dates back decades and should modernize,” said Kirk Oswald, a resident of Chappaquiddick. “[This] transfer gives the select board a rare opportunity to update the license before the transfer is financed with clearer standards, transparency, accountability and periodic review. Updating the license is not anti-business, updating the license is not anti-Brian, updating the license is simply good governance over an essential public service.”
For many in attendance Monday, Mr. Scall was the right man for the job. They cited his past work as a captain and his willingness to work with the community.
“I’ve known Peter and Sally for pretty much my entire life,” said Caleb Enos, one of the Chappaquiddick Ferry captains. “They’ve been my bosses for more than half of that at this point, and I can say with that they have the best judgment to pick Brian as the next person to take over the ferry, and with the opportunity I’ve had to work with him over the last year, I can’t agree with them more. I’m so excited.”
For others though, the confidentiality of the investor group and questions about ticket pricing remained a concern.
“We appreciate the effort [Mr. Scall] has made in reaching out to members of the community and the panel, as he described, to make sure he understands how best to serve those objectives,” said Chappaquiddick Ferry steering committee chair Rick Schifter. “The issue, however, is that we’re not talking about transferring the license to Brian. We’re talking about transferring the license to Chappy Ferry LLC, which is made up of a group of outside investors yet to be identified.”
After everyone present at the hearing had an opportunity to speak, the select board voted to take the issue up again at its May 26 meeting.
Select board member Julia Tarka said the board would use the time to review the application and documents.
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