The Aquinnah select board this week debated the best way to consider the future of two high profile properties along the Aquinnah Circle.
Residents at the annual town meeting this spring authorized the board to transfer the Circle North properties to an entity for cultural and educational uses, and set a 60-day timeline for the select board to establish a conveyance process.
But the board at its meeting Tuesday couldn’t agree if now was the time to send out a request for proposals for potential groups that would be interested in the properties, which include the former Manning homestead and a former restaurant.
While board member Juli Vanderhoop wanted to start the RFP process, board members Tom Murphy and Chris Manning voted to meet again in the next 30 days to discuss the potential possibilities for the two parcels.
Some residents who attended the meeting in-person and over Zoom were worried that the decision to meet again later was only delaying the process, which is well past the two-month timeline set at town meeting.
Those in favor of holding another meeting suggested that there needed to be more time to better understand the effort required to revamp the properties, especially the Manning homestead, which according to a 2022 survey will require significant renovations, said Mr. Murphy.
“The cost of renovating something in that condition is extensive,” said Mr. Murphy, the select board chair. “Our building commissioner estimated that it would cost in excess of $500,000, and that still doesn’t answer the issue about whether or not a septic system and a well would be needed to support that. The building commissioner said that before he can issue a [certificate of occupancy], he has to address those two issues.”
Aquinnah purchased the two properties in 2015 with town and community preservation funds.
“At the time, using CPC funds to acquire land, the town was required to file a conservation restriction that would limit the use of that property for the purpose for which it was acquired,” said Mr. Murphy. “It was acquired for the purpose of open space and recreation. That conservation constriction was never put on the record. It will have to be.”
According to Mr. Murphy, an RFP was put forth to the select board about five years ago to construct a breakfast and luncheon place at the property located next to the Helen Manning Homestead. That proposal was rejected due to zoning laws restricting the site to use as residential property and not commercial use.
“We went out for an RFP about four or five years ago and got a number of respondents to propose a restaurant breakfast and luncheon place at the other property, not Helen’s house, but the house that used to be a restaurant and that was rejected,” said Mr. Murphy, who added that an effort to revitalize the property could cost the town upwards of at least $500,000 dollars. “So, one of the questions that needs to be answered is what could be allowed in the zoning, what the zoning laws will allow us to do with that land.”
NaDaizja Bolling, the executive director of the Aquinnah Cultural Center and a member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah, has led an effort to revitalize the Helen Manning Homestead.
“I think the Aquinnah Cultural Center is the perfect candidate to do something up there for various reasons, including Helen’s legacy, which was brought up earlier,” said Ms. Bolling. “We’re ready to take on a project like this. We’re open ears, but there’s no need for combative energy. We’re just trying to do what’s right by the land and what’s right by our people.”
Kevin Devine, the chair of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), has been spearheading an effort to utilize a significant amount of tribal funds for projects around Aquinnah. According to Mr. Devine, he can appropriate tribal funds for town projects if they meet a certain cultural criterion.
Arguing alongside Ms. Bolling, Mr. Devine stated that since the Helen Manning Homestead has significant cultural and historical value to both the tribe and the town, it could be a perfect opportunity to develop something that the town of Aquinnah can be proud of.
“We’re talking about honoring Helen Manning,” Mr. Devine said.
He expressed frustrations with the delays surrounding the properties at Circle North.
“We now are 120 days past the 60 days and I just really want to know what the harm is in moving forward with an RFP,” he said. “I have addressed this ad nauseam, what the tribe can do for the town right now.”
The town did draft a request for proposals that noted that the Gay Head Light, which is on one of the properties, would not be included and a map shows the potential to cut it out of the existing property.
Some residents believed this could be a chance for different groups to work together.
“Now, there’s no reason that once that RFP goes out there, ACC can’t do a joint proposal with the Lighthouse if ACC chooses and the lighthouse chooses,” said Derrill Bazzy. “The bottom line here is that there was a warrant article, what six months ago now, saying to put out an RFP to get proposals. Let’s do it. The town doesn’t have to accept all the proposals…but I’ve been part of this property for a long time now and I really want to see something happen.”
Isaac Taylor, who is the town’s harbor master and shellfish constable as well as the assistant Aquinnah Lighthouse keeper, supported the idea of having a joint proposal but also felt that more information was needed about the requirements needed to rebuild the Helen Manning Homestead and the adjacent property.
“I don’t actually understand what the parameters are of the proposal, I don’t understand what’s possible up there and without understanding what the limitations and opportunities are for our community, for the development of our community up there, I can’t make a proposal,” said Mr. Taylor. “So, I’m not ready to make a proposal because I don’t understand what the limitations on the property are.”
Ms. Vanderhoop made a motion to move forward with an RFP but ultimately removed that motion after not receiving a second. She also voted against the motion to have yet another meeting.
“The problem is that the select board is being constipated about it,” she said. “The professionals at the ACC are ready and the pros at the lighthouse are ready to come together or do something with that piece of property.”
The motion that was approved by the select board requires the town to have a meeting within 30 days.
“If it’s not completed within 30 days then I would support issuing an RFP,” said Mr. Murphy.