Skip Navigation
Click to return to website
This table is used for column layout.
Planning Board Subcommittee Minutes 09/26/16
APPROVED
Chilmark Planning Board Subcommittee Meeting
Monday, Sept. 26, 2016
Present: Janet Weidner, Chair, John Eisner, Joan Malkin, Peter Cook, Barbara Armstrong
Not Present:
Public: John Armstrong, Barbara Armstrong, Bill Veno (MVC), Angie Grant
Staff: Jennifer L. Christy, Tim Carroll

Meeting called to order at 3:00PM:
  • Menemsha Master Plan:
  • The subcommittee welcomed Angie Grant from the Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) to discuss the questions the subcommittee has regarding the VTA buses in Menemsha.
  • Ms. Grant described two distinct schedules, one in-season (late April to Columbus Day weekend) and one off-season. She described the initial idea was to have the #4 (services Menemsha via North Road and to West Tisbury-operating hourly-in July & August it diverts up Tabor House to pick up anyone at the transfer station early in the morning, 6-9 am-ish) bus utilize the parking lot at the transfer station for the purpose of allowing the employees of Menemsha businesses to park at the transfer station instead of parking in Menemsha. Ms. Grant feels this set-up is underutilized. In the evening, after 6PM, in July & August, this bus diverts up Tabor House Rd to the transfer station again, on request, back from Menemsha to allow employees to get back to their cars.
  • The #12 bus has had various “patterns” over the years. It does a connection with the #5 coming from Aquinnah wanting to get to Menemsha and it also serves the transfer station park ‘n ride. In the evening, in the season, it runs just from the satellite parking at the transfer station to Menemsha, exclusively. Between 10AM and 5PM, it runs from the Community Center and Menemsha and the transfer station.
  • Ms. Grant stated that #12 goes from Menemsha Beach to the transfer station once per hour (20 minute round trip) and it also goes from Menemsha Beach to the community Center once per hour.
  • The #12 bus runs through Menemsha 3 times per hour in the season. And, on Fridays and Saturdays it runs through the Menemsha Beach area 4 times per hour.
  • Ms. Grant stated that the #4 bus has been traveling its pattern for close to twenty years. The #12 bus has changed over the years. She noted that the #12 runs a seasonal pattern which often takes longer to become established and for ridership to solidify.
  • Mr. Cook noted his concern with educating visitors in how to visit Menemsha and do it well. He inquired about online information and outreach to riders. Ms. Grant noted that a large percentage of riders investigate their trip prior to arriving on the island and they use the website and the app.
  • Ms. Malkin asked if there is specific data on the numbers of riders on the bus from Menemsha to the transfer station parking lot compared to the number of riders on the bus from Menemsha to the Community Center.
  • Ms. Grant, in answering the above question, noted that the ridership varies due to weather and day of week, but noted that the parking area at the Tabor House off-site parking area could be organized far better to accommodate more cars in a better way. Ms. Grant stated she would try to obtain that specific data for the Town.
  • After 5:45PM, the #12 just goes back and forth from the Menemsha beach and the park n’ ride transfer station bus stop, a twenty minute round trip. Ms. Grant also noted that on in-season Fridays and Saturdays evenings at the request of the Town, two buses travel the #12 route to accommodate the busy time.
  • Ms. Grant noted that, island-wide, the VTA was pushed to capacity and pushed to the limit in terms of usability. Ms. Grant noted she does not have day-to-day ridership information for particularly routes. She has provided monthly ridership rates per route and offered to divide the number to achieve a per day ridership rate. Ms. Grant noted that the bus runs in inclement weather so any given day may have varying rates of ridership. Ms. Grant noted that route #4 has been established for about 20 years with slight changes. Route #12, she noted, has changed over the years and presents a difficulty in establishing ridership.
  • Ms. Grant also noted that in the 1990s, there was a referendum on the number of cars coming to the island in the season and they stated at the time that more action would need to be taken if a certain number of cars were to start coming to the island and now that number has been surpassed without comment.
  • Ms. Grant noted that Menemsha is only serviced by 30 foot buses (#4 & #12-the other buses are 35’ and 40’ buses), the smallest buses available.
  • Ms. Malkin inquired about the kinds of buses and noise reduction steps that have been utilized. Ms. Grant noted that the buses are replaced at a rate of one per year, approximately. They obtain the narrowest buses possible, at 96”. There are other key criteria the VTA must adhere to and the VTA must adhere to emissions standards as well.
  • Ms. Grant noted agreement that the newer buses have a tighter turning radius.
  • Ms. Grant noted the current version of the electric buses can only go 150 miles per day (and the buses that go back and forth to Menemsha run 250-300 miles per day) and the newer electric buses are also 102” wide which can be problematic.
  • Ms. Grant noted that there is some discussion about “re-tooling” the existing VTA organization, at an undetermined cost, to have a more energy-efficient bus fleet.
  • Ms. Grant noted there are a lot of “pros” to an electric bus fleet, but it would be a significant operation change due, in part, to the necessary support system needed for electric power and charging.
  • Ms. Grant noted there is an alternative fuel study that was completed in the spring the results of which are shown on the VTA’s website.
  • Ms. Malkin inquired about the time needed for drop off and pick up in Menemsha. Ms. Grant noted the “dwell time” is possibly ten minutes on average.
  • Ms. Armstrong inquired whether the VTA keeps track of how many people ride in different hours of the trips. Ms. Grant stated that the VTA does not as a rule look at the ridership at that level, but they will review this and provide information on request. Ms. Grant asked Ms. Armstrong to send an email with a request for information or a request for alterations in the schedule due to the more in-depth ridership information. Ms. Armstrong noted that the #12 appears to be emptier in the early part of the day and inquired whether there is a possibility to reduce the number of rides in the early part of the day due to the lesser amount of riders.
  • Ms. Grant noted that a minimum of 5 years for a seasonal service is needed in order to determine reliable ridership information. Ms. Armstrong reiterated that the early rides still appear to be empty (the #12 goes from 10:35 starting in AQ to Menemsha.) Ms. Grant noted that there may be more ridership within a certain route that is not necessarily apparent at the beginning or the end of the ride because the riders may have gotten on mid-pattern and exited mid-pattern.
  • This was the first September the #12 ran in September, noted Ms. Grant.
  • Ms. Grant noted that the island is number one in the “fare box recovery” in the state and the least subsidized in the state. Ms. Grant also noted that some rides are incorporated or maintained in order for ADA compliance.
  • Ms. Malkin noted that more thought may be given to the “shell lot” to see if there is a possibility for “pull through” turn offs, for example.
  • The topic of livery tour vans arose and it was noted by Mr. Carroll that the BOS permitted those tour vans which could only be limited by the enforcement of those vans crossing the double yellow line when they traverse the “s” curve by the Bite.
  • Ms. Grant noted that there are rocks on the right side of the curve past Mrs. Morgan’s gift shop and the newer low front buses have trouble with those. Ms. Grant offered to join with the Town to determine if those could be repositioned to a safer area.
  • Ms. Grant noted, in response to a question from Mr. Eisner, that there have been less complaints about speed this year compared to last year and the buses have a “playback” function that allows the VTA to see the speed at which the drivers were driving.
  • Mr. Armstrong noted that the noise at acceleration for the new buses is loud and wondered if there is a possibility that the  drivers could be educated to be more careful on the accelerator.
  • Ms. Grant stated that she would advise in the training of her drivers for more neighborhood friendliness.
  • Ms. Grant noted that December 1, 2016 is the deadline to suggest any changes to the schedule for 2017. Ms. Grant also noted that no changes, or little changes, be made for the #12 for 2017 and to instead do more outreach and publicity about the route especially with the fact that the transfer station lot is free and the Menemsha employers do not need to buy bus passes for their employees because there is no charge for that route if the rider parks at the transfer station.
  • Air BnB- Tim Carroll:
  • Mr. Carroll introduced the topic.
  • Mr. Carroll suggested that the Board review the existence of AirBnBs in Town and determine whether those AirBnBs be required to adhere to the same permitting and/or fee structure that bed and breakfasts and short-term rentals and inns adhere to. Mr. Carroll noted that people who rent out their rooms via AirBnB do have impact on the services of the Town: availability of parking spaces at the beach, wear and tear on the roads, etc.
  • Mr. Carroll noted that the Town has zoning that allows short-term rentals by special permit, but the AirBnB rentals are not addressed by the current zoning.
  • Ms. Weidner wondered if the Town would benefit though by receiving more beach pass revenue, for example. Mr. Carroll noted that the usage by short-term rental visitors has been shown, in the past, to be more dramatic and impactful than visitors who are renting/visiting for longer periods.
  • Mr. Osnoss noted that the residents/homeowners that are townspeople who are utilizing AirBnB may be in need of the extra income and may be something that should be regulated in a less onerous way.
  • Mr. Cook summarized the issue is whether the Town regulate the existing activity or not and in what way. Mr. Carroll noted that the subject may need to be looked at just because of the fact that the zoning bylaws are not in sync with the activities that are occurring in Town.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Jennifer L. Christy