Edgartown selectmen advanced transportation projects both by land and by sea on Monday, approving a new down-Island water taxi service and hearing an update on the VTA’s long-stalled Church Street charger project.
The $1.2 million Church Street station project was approved by a voice vote at town meeting earlier this spring, allowing the VTA to move forward with a plan that will refurbish the station and add electric bus induction charges to the road.
The project was stalled last year after a vocal contingent of Main Street residents expressed strong opposition to the development, prompting delays, continued study and analysis of alternatives.
But with the recent approval, VTA administrator Angela Grant told Edgartown selectmen on Monday that the VTA planned to begin work on the project this fall, eyeing a March 1, 2022 end date. The project will be conducted in phases, with work beginning on the front of the Church Street station building and then continuing on the sides with landscaping.
“It’s been kind of a marathon, but we finally are headed in the direction,” Ms. Grant said.
The town also unanimously approved a request from Eversource to bury utilities under Church Street to support the induction chargers.
Town administrator James Hagerty expressed excitement about the project’s progress, saying the approval was many years in the making.
“We’re happy to see a project get put into place that is no cost to the town,” Mr. Hagerty said. “I think it’s going to be very beneficial.”
In other business, selectmen unanimously approved a request from the owners of the Pied Piper and Sandpiper ferry services to operate a water taxi at Memorial Wharf in Edgartown.
Pied Piper operates ferry service in the summer between Falmouth and Edgartown.
The new proposed taxi will provide service between Vineyard Haven and Edgartown during the summer months, running from June 18 until Sept. 6, according to owner Misha Strumwasser. Mr. Strumwasser told selectmen that the ferry would make nine daily stops in Edgartown, with each stop taking approximately 5 to ten minutes at Memorial Wharf.
In Vineyard Haven, the ferry will depart from the Vineyard Haven Marina, which is owned by the company. The water taxi service has previously received a harbor use permit in Vineyard Haven.
Edgartown harbormaster Charlie Blair said that the ferry service did not officially need a commercial marine license, and expressed support for the company — but he added that there could be waits at Memorial Wharf in the summer.
“I couldn’t work with a better outfit,” Mr. Blair said. “I just want to make sure that everybody understands, when you get into the queue and there’s three boats ahead of you, that’s a 30 minute wait. So long as everybody’s good with it, I’m willing to maybe get together and have a review in the fall and see how we did.”
Mr. Strumwasser said the water taxi service was a trial for the company, as well.
Selectmen voted unanimously to approve the ferry for one year, with the intention to look back and review the service. The Steamship Authority does not have jurisdiction over the proposed water taxi because it does not originate on the mainland, town administrator James Hagerty said.
“I think the more service we can get people, the better. And we’re all trying it for a year to see if it works,” selectman Michael Donaroma said. “I think it’s a good idea.”
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