Advisory Board

The Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority Advisory Board met Friday, March 17, 2017 at 9:15 AM in the offices of the Transit Authority, 11 A Street, Edgartown.  Present were Alice Butler (Oak Bluffs), John Alley (West Tisbury), Lenny Jason (Chilmark),  Lou Paciello (Edgartown) and Also present were Angela Grant (VTA) and Lois Craine (VTA).  

The meeting was called to order at 9:15AM

Meeting Minutes December 16, 2016

Mr. Alley moved to accept the minutes of December 16, 2016 and Mr. Paciello seconded.  Mr. Jason abstained.   M/s/c.

Meeting Minutes February 10, 2017

Mr. Paciello moved to accept the minutes of February 10, 2017 , Mr. Alley seconded and Ms. Butler abstained. M/s/c

Audit presentation  Bruce Norling, Auditor, via telephone

Jay Grande, (Tisbury) joined the meeting at 9:20AM
Ms. Grant and Ms. Craine left the meeting at 9:21AM for the Audit presentation
Bruce Norling presented the FY 2016 Audit via telephone. Notes kept by Mr. Paciello attached.
June Manning (Aquinnah), joined the meeting at 9:28AM
Ms. Grant and Ms. Craine rejoined the meeting at 9:32AM.  Mr. Alley commended VTA staff after hearing the Auditor’s report.

Financial statements through January 2017

Financial reports through January 2017 with prior year comparisons were distributed and Ms. Grant advised that the year will end on budget with revenue and expenses up slightly. Parts expenses were down as new vehicle funds are acquired with Capital funding.  The Mass RTAs Legislative Luncheon was held recently and was well attended by Legislators crucial to keeping control of RTAs local as MassDOT seeks to consolidate areas of the State and explain the need  for more funds in the Governor’s Budget.

31 Day Pass price increase

Ms. Grant explained that the 31 day pass price increase was inadvertently not included in the increase in other fares causing them to sell last season out of proportion to other passes and proposed a raise to $60.00 and an elderly disabled rate at $40.00 effective April 1, 2017. Mr. Alley moved to approve the new rate and Mr. Paciello seconded.

Mr. Grande asked the chair to recognize him. Ms. Butler asked him to speak and he asked Ms. Grant if the Tisbury DPW had been in touch about the Bus stop location at Hillside Village. Ms. Grant advised that he had but the project is on hold as a septic system for a newer building was constructed in that area in spite of the M.V. Commission requirements. The stop will be revisited in FY18.

Mr. Grande left the meeting at 9:50AM

Electric Bus Planning Update

Ms. Grant reported that grant applications have been submitted to the Volkswagen mitigation fund, for State funds for additional technical assistance and jointly with the Wampanoag Tribe for Tribal Transit funds for infrastructure at 11 A Street. A public private partnership with a company renting air space from the MBTA to install solar panels is being explored. Two bid packages are going out for 30 and 35 foot buses and the infrastructure funding will follow in a few years.  Mr. Paciello asked about the battery life between charging. Ms. Grant explained that the batteries are guaranteed for the life of the bus and currently 30’ buses go about 170 miles and 35’ 210. Buses loading and unloading at some points will charge by induction. Mr. Paciello expressed concern that even though there is no local cost at the outset decreases in Federal funds may bring them in the future.

The meeting adjourned at 10:01AM