Chappaquiddick residents voiced concerns about the financial transparency and ownership structure of the Chappy Ferry last week as the select board considers signing off on a new buyer for the service.
The Chappy Ferry steering committee, a town advisory board, met on April 7 to finalize a set of questions that would be posed to the prospective new owner, Brian Scall, who has been a captain for over a year.
Mr. Scall announced a plan earlier this month cameron that provides passage across Edgartown harbor from Peter Wells and Sally Snipes.
The committee is also in the process of making recommendations to the select board on whether to approve the license transfer.
At the meeting, the committee said it wanted information on the terms of the sale, including information on financial backers whose roles and contributions have not been disclosed.
“I like to be clear about the purchase price and the situation regarding the purchase,” said committee member Dana Strayton.
During a prior meeting, Mr. Scall said he, Mr. Wells and Ms. Snipes signed a non-disclosure agreement that barred them from discussing the sale’s financials until after the license transfer had been approved.
Mr. Scall told the committee he was open to conversations about the ferry’s financial transparency at the earlier meeting, but defended the right to maintain financial privacy. He also told the committee that a group of financial backers will help him purchase the business, but he would have operational and financial control.
During last week’s meeting, committee member Thomas Tilghman said the committee lacks clarity on the ownership split between Mr. Scall and his financial backers, and noted community concerns about investors being off-Island.
“I just don’t know about somebody that’s really off-Island,” Mr. Tilghman said. “And why [aren’t] people on Chappy being offered to buy into this as well?”
Mr. Scall emphasized his presence on the Island and dedication to passengers.
“I’m right here on Martha’s Vineyard,” Mr. Scall said. “I am an investor and an owner of this group. I’m here all the time.”
The committee also inquired about safeguards with investors.
“If all goes well you’re going to be out there breaking ice in the middle of the night,” said committee member Bill Brine. “But if things don’t go well, there’s going to be some covenants there, and it’d be nice to share what kind of operating ratios you could have to return to them to hold that job.”
During rate increase hearings, the committee wanted to know if Mr Scall would be open to disclosing financial information with the public or designated individuals.
“The license gives the board incredible flexibility and I could see why they would not want to change to something that tied them down a bit more,” Mr. Tilghman said. “That said, these are things that could all be implemented by the owner.”
Committee member John Dropick asked if Mr. Scall had made a business plan defining the ferry’s profit margins as well as plans to fund future vessels.
“That’s a very important topic that I think a lot of people are very worried about,” Mr. Dropick said.
Mr. Scall is tasked with answering the committee’s set of questions before the hearing. Some inquire about his plan to modify the Chappaquiddick resident discount program and if he’ll create an electronic ticketing system.
Members of the public also weighed-in on long-simmering debates about the ferry service’s financial transparency and ownership structure.
Jay Hunter said he was concerned the committee wanted too much of the ferry’s financial information to be available to the public, and said it should not be a determining factor in the committee’s recommendation.
“As a business owner of many businesses, I think that it’s a lot to ask for someone to open their personal financial situation to the general public,” Mr. Hunter said.
Eric Green said Chappaquiddick residents have no alternative to the ferry, and argued that full financial transparency is necessary.
“This needs to be absolutely open and the select board of Edgartown should step up to the plate and do its duty to do that,” Mr. Green said.
Dennis Goldin said a majority of Chappaquiddick residents don’t feel the ferry service should be privately owned, and instead suggested a hybrid non-profit and town ownership model.
“A nonprofit, along with the town, I think offers the best opportunity to provide a ferry that goes into the 21st century that supersedes us all,” Mr. Goldin said.
Town administrator James Hagerty said the select board previously considered town ownership of the service but ultimately rejected the idea. He added that the question would likely have to go before voters at annual town meeting and on the ballot, which could be difficult to pass.
Sam Fuller pushed the town to revisit its license agreement. He said he reviewed proposed changes the Chappy Ferry steering committee made for a revision to the agreement in recent years and felt the select board should consider it.
“They seem quite reasonable, but the impression I get is the select board is unlikely to take [recommendations] seriously and I’m just perplexed at that,” Mr. Fuller said.
Mr. Hagerty said there will be two new select board members who could potentially be open to revising the license agreement.
“I think that’s your opportunity,” he said.
A public hearing is scheduled for May 11 at the Edgartown town hall.
This article appears in April 17, 2026.