Bryan, Roach and agency officials held virtual town hall for Water Island residents

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., Lt. Gov. Tregenza A. Roach and representatives of seven Virgin Islands government agencies held a virtual town hall meeting with about 50 Water Island residents on Sept. 15, 2021, according to Government House.

The Zoom forum was organized and hosted by St. Thomas-Water Island Administrator Avery Lewis. Participating officials included Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol, Public Works Commissioner Derek Gabriel, Police Deputy Commissioner Mario Brooks, Waste Management Authority Executive Director Roger Merritt, Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte, Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Richard Evangelista, and Sports, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Calvert White.

Residents raised questions about WAPA reliability, internet connectivity, landing space for residents' boats on St. Thomas, road repairs, upgrades to the commuter dock, police emergency response, repairs to the fire station, Fort Segarra, and charter boats playing loud music late at night.

Government House said Bryan discussed issues including expanding online access to government services, the Hotel-Marina project, land prices and property taxes, moorings and anchoring, removal of sunken vessels from the lagoon area, and access to Honeymoon Beach.

According to the statement, Bryan said the administration would work to increase internet access, address commuter ferry availability, seek funding for fire station repairs, remove wrecked vessels around the island, and address security concerns at Honeymoon Beach.

Gabriel said Public Works was scheduled to begin road and dock repairs within 60 days and expected most Water Island projects to be completed by the end of 2022. Oriol said the Department of Planning and Natural Resources was creating designated mooring areas for residents and controlled access points for visiting boats.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-lt-governor-roach-hold-virtual-town-hall-meeting-for-water-island-residents/