Tisbury selectmen joined the chorus calling for cable television service to Chappaquiddick on Tuesday, voting to pull out of the Islandwide contract talks with Comcast.
“With Edgartown pulling out because of the Chappaquiddick piece not being addressed, I’d like us to send our marching orders to our representative [Fred LaPiana] to stop talks as well,” said selectman Jeffrey Kristal.
Negotiations with Comcast over a new 10-year service contract began in June. Edgartown pulled out of the talks last month after the cable giant stalled on the issue of providing cable service to Chappaquiddick. Edgartown has said it will stay out of the talks until Comcast can guarantee that service to Chappy will be included in the new contract.
Last week the Cape and Islands legislative delegation also jumped into the issue, saying they would meet with Comcast spokesmen this week to press the matter of service to all underserved areas on the Vineyard.
In a swing through the Vineyard on Monday, Cong. Bill Keating echoed the complaints about Comcast’s lack of responsiveness . “I can’t get my own television to work; my wife has them on speed dial,” he said.
On Tuesday, Tisbury selectman Tris-tan Israel joined the vote to exit the contract talks but wondered aloud at the consequences.
“Let’s just hope we don’t get cut off on Patriots [Saturday],” Mr. Israel said.
In other business Tuesday, selectmen also approved a beer and wine license for the new restaurant Mon Amour, which will open on State Road at the former site of Nicky’s Italian Cafe. The new 50-seat restaurant will feature “classic French techniques with an American twist to it,” according to manager David Spooner. It is expected to open in April.
Vineyard Haven resident Amy Nevin was all smiles when selectman Geoghan Coogan called her name at a drawing of the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority Lottery for a new two-bedroom home off of Lake street. Groundbreaking began in October on the two-duplex Wentworth Way affordable housing project, which sits on 1.38 acres of town property purchased by the Island Housing Trust (IHT) in 2009. Plans for a third duplex on the property are on hold while the trust searches for additional funding. IHT executive director Phillipe Jordi said that the property, available to Ms. Nevin to purchase for $184,500, is still under construction and expects it to be completed in five months. Tuesday’s lottery was available to qualified applicants who made 80 per cent or less of the median area income. Mrs. Nevin, along with Richard (Jerry) Jacobs, was one of two applicants for the home. One Lake Street home had previously been awarded to Elizabeth Louchs for $225,000. Mr. Jordi said that Mr. Jacobs would try to purchase one of the two remaining houses available for $225,000.
“Woo!” Ms. Nevin exclaimed as her name was drawn.
The last available unit will be sold for $225,000 to the first income-qualified person to submit a complete application. Interested homebuyers should call the Island Housing Trust at (508) 693-1117.
Selectmen also voted to appoint Ian Aitcheson as a library trustee.
Comments
Comment policy »