Executive Order  No. 425: Establishing the Governor's New Bedford, Cape and Islands Ferry Service Task Force

WHEREAS, it is in the interests of New Bedford, Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket (the "Islands") to find common ground and understanding with respect to ferry service of passengers and freight to the Islands.

WHEREAS, to achieve such goal requires a comprehensive analysis of the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority's voluntary, pilot project to ferry freight between New Bedford and Martha's Vineyard;

WHEREAS, the need to develop effective options to address Cape Cod's traffic concerns is critical;

WHEREAS, ferry service to the Islands must be evaluated in light of the region's entire transportation system and the desire to further economic growth and recreational traditions while protecting and securing the natural resources and beauty of the Commonwealth's islands and beaches;

WHEREAS, the communities most affected by any expansion of ferry service to the Islands - the Cape, the Islands and New Bedford - must be afforded the opportunity to participate in a fair and objective process regarding the benefits and costs of such expansion;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Argeo Paul Cellucci, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Supreme Executive Magistrate, do hereby order as follows:

Section 1. There is hereby established the Governor's New Bedford, Cape and Islands Ferry Service Task Force (the "Task Force"). The Task Force shall study and advise the Governor on the economic implications and regional impact of existing and potential expansion of ferry services to the Islands from the Cape, New Bedford and surrounding communities. I urge the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority (the "Steamship Authority") to cooperate with the Task Force in its study. The Task Force study, among other factors and considerations, shall include:

• A review of the freight ferry service pilot program conducted by the Steamship Authority between New Bedford and Martha's Vineyard (the "Pilot Program"), giving consideration to the following:

(i) the economic viability of the Pilot Program under its current structure and operation;

(ii) the assumptions and plan developed and applied by the Steamship Authority in order to conduct the Pilot Program; and

(iii) the benefits and costs of contracting out for freight ferry service between New Bedford and Martha's Vineyard to a private company rather than the Steamship Authority arranging to provide such service directly.

In the event that the Pilot Program is deemed deficient in any way, the Task Force shall explore and make recommendations as to improvements that could be implemented.

• Consideration of and recommendations regarding traffic impact, if any, on the Cape and in New Bedford and surrounding communities as a result of the Steamship Authority's passenger and freight ferry services, including those provided through the Pilot Program;
• An analysis of the entire region's long term costs and benefits - economic, environmental and otherwise - of any expansion in ferry services to the Islands or of any other change to the region's existing transportation system that may be recommended by the Task Force.

Section 2. The Task Force shall consist of no less than eleven (11) members appointed by the Governor, including a representative of the Executive Offices of Administration and Finance, Environmental Affairs, Transportation and Construction and of the Department of Economic Development. The Governor shall appoint the chairperson of the Task Force. The remaining members shall have knowledge of and experience in the relevant regions. The members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

Section 3. The Task Force shall prepare and submit a written report of its findings, together with recommendations, to the Governor by April 15, 2001.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston this 8th day of December in the year two thousand.

Argeo Paul Cellucci, Governor

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

William Francis Galvin

Secretary of the Commonwealth