Select Board grants temporary waiver for 14 Narragansett Ave. construction with conditions

Oak Bluffs Select Board members voted unanimously on May 26 to grant a temporary waiver to the downtown work moratorium for 14 Narragansett Avenue, conditioned on adherence to a work plan and mitigation measures and set to expire June 26, 2026.

Madeline Smith, representing the contractor identified as Miller Starbucks company, told the board her firm took over the project and seeks a waiver to make the site safe and complete work to a safe stopping point. Smith said the company will provide a site supervisor cell number for neighbors to call and will use electric tools where feasible to limit noise.

Neighbors raised concerns about parking and construction noise. Shelley Christianson, an abutter, said residents rely on on‑street parking and “are concerned about construction noise,” and opposed granting the waiver. The board discussed mitigation including shuttle plans for workers, limiting work hours, and capping the foundation and backfilling if necessary to reach a safe stopping condition.

Building Commissioner Petkus had provided a memo supporting the waiver, and the Select Board approved a motion to permit on‑site work under the conditions presented, with the waiver to end no later than Friday, June 26. The board noted the downtown moratorium language adopted earlier in May defines the downtown area as a 0.60‑mile radius from the post office.

The waiver approval included operational requirements the board expects the applicant to follow and required the Town Administrator's office to confirm that the project's work plan has been implemented.