Edgartown’s tax rate will increase slightly in 2014, with the town selectmen this week approving a tax rate of $3.70 for every $1,000 worth of property.
Changes have been approved to an agreement between the town and the Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative Inc. (CVEC) to create solar arrays on town-owned parcels of land. The projects are expected to save the town millions in electricity costs down the road.
Renovations began this week on the Edgartown town hall, closing part of the town hall parking lot and one of the entrances to the building.
Edgartown procurement officer Jen O’Hanlon said that the repairs are expected to last until January. The work includes putting a new roof on the building, as well as painting and other small repairs.
The Massachusetts Attorney General has approved a new Edgartown bylaw that will require minimum maintenance on buildings in the town historic district.
Last April Edgartown town meeting approved the new bylaw, which will require owners of buildings in the historic district to “keep such buildings from falling into a state of poor repair.” This applies to the exterior of buildings or interior portions of buildings that, if not adequately maintained, will affect the exterior.
The town hall will get a facelift and Chappaquiddick a new fire truck as the Edgartown board of selectmen Monday approved bids for both projects during a brief meeting.
The town awarded a $540,000 bid to renovate the exterior of town hall to the Paul J. Rogan Company Inc. of Braintree. It was the sole bid the town received. The project, which will use Community Preservation Act funds, was approved by town meeting.
Edgartown voters made short work of the town’s business Tuesday night, easily approving every spending article on the warrant, passing a bylaw that requires buildings in the historic district to be kept up and voting to take ownership of the Edgartown lighthouse — all in under two hours.
Edgartown will be getting two new liquor stores, as the selectmen Monday approved seasonal all-alcohol licenses for package stores on Main street and in Nevin Square.
The 65 Main street store, Edgartown Spirits, will be operated by manager Barbara Courtney. Son Ted Courtney, who spoke on his mother’s behalf because she could not attend the meeting, said his mother planned to open a store with a “bright, welcoming atmosphere” that offers artisanal liquor and microbrews, as well as supplies for outdoor entertaining, including picnic baskets and kitchen utensils.
A few days after hanging the Port Hunter sign on Main street in Edgartown, new restaurateurs Patrick and Ted Courtney received a visit from an old-timer. The man showed the brothers numerous old photos of the space including one that featured the front of the brick building and a sign mounted on steel with white lettering which spelled out First National. The sign was almost identical to their new sign, down to the font size and style.
“It kind of came back around... It was nice,” Ted said. “We felt like we were doing the right thing.”
In a marathon annual town meeting, Edgartown residents voted down
the Martha's Vineyard Commission's designation of
Chappaquiddick as a district of critical planning concern (DCPC).
Voting 195 to 134 not to establish the boundaries of the
Chappaquiddick district, the town eliminated the district designation in
one fell swoop.
Edgartown officials will soon get their foot in the door of every rental property in town, the result of a selectmen-endorsed regulation which forces property owners to license rental properties and allow inspectors to ensure dwellings meet state habitation codes.
