Martha`s Vineyard AWS
CHILMARK, MA


DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PROGRAM
FOR
FORMERLY USED DEFENSE SITES
FINDINGS AND DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY

DERP-FUDS SITE NO. D01MA023900
FORMER MARTHA`S VINEYARD AWS STATION #6

CHILMARK, MASSACHUSETTS
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. In 1941 the United States acquired by negotiation and condemnation 258.5 acres leasehold and 10.9 acres fee for the Army Air Warning Service Station. The site was deactivated between 1945 and 1946 and disposed of in 1947. The United States again acquired a 0.42-acre fee (atop Peaked Hill) and 2.06-acres easement portion of this site in 1957 by condemnation.

2. The site was known as Martha`s Vineyard AWS -6 between 1941 and 1947. It was used by the Army as an aircraft warning station and anti-artillery site. Improvements to the site by the Army included a tower atop Peaked Hill, barracks, a concrete building, power lines and a motor pool. After re-taking a portion of the site in 1956 and 1957, DOD called the site Chilmark Gap Filler Annex P-45B. The Air Force used the site as a gap filler radar station until 1970. There is no evidence that the site was under other than DOD control during the periods of DOD use.

3. The Army`s use of the site ended by 1947. The leases (258.5 acres) were terminated between 1945 and 1946. The lease documents a-e not recorded in the county registry of deeds and have not been located by CENED-RE. By deeds dated 18 July 1947 and 5 November 1947, the Federal Farm Mortgage Corporation conveyed the 4.4 acres fee and 6.5 acres fee to John M. Whiting and Herbert and Hariph Hancock, respectively. There are no recapture clauses, restoration provisions, or other special conditions contained in the deeds.

The Air Force`s use of the site began in 1957 ended by 1970. By deed dated 16 December 1970 General Services Administration (GSA) conveyed 0.42 acre fee and 2.06 acres easement to Frank J. Nuovo. This conveyance was subject to the rights of the predecessor in title to use an access road and utility poles. There is no recapture clause, restoration provision, or other special conditions contained in the deed.


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