By MEGAN DOOLEY

In a blink-and-you-might-miss-it special town meeting Wednesday night, Aquinnah voters flew through seven warrant articles in under 20 minutes.

Voters approved an update to the town zoning bylaw, without which residents would have lost access to federal flood insurance on July 8.

The meeting was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the old town hall building. When moderator Michael Hebert announced that the meeting had reached its quorum of 40 voters at 7:31 p.m., voters responded with clapping and cheering.

The first article called for amendments to the town zoning bylaw, mandated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the town to retain access to federal flood insurance. Three articles, all calling for amendments to the personnel bylaw regarding the definitions of full and part-time employees, were tabled by town voters at the recommendation of selectman Jim Newman, who said the personnel committee should be given the opportunity to make recommendations on the articles before voters are asked to approve the changes. The amendments called for an increase in the minimum number of weekly hours required for full-time employees, from 20 to 30 hours. The changes would save the town money, as part-time employees are not entitled to the same level of benefits as full-time employees.

The last three articles were swiftly passed by voters, including one to appropriate some $12,600 to compensate town treasurer Judy Jardin for unpaid work hours, and another to appropriate $2,500 to compensate town tax collector Wenonah Madison for taking on additional work duties.

Voters also approved spending $5,400 to purchase a new trailer equipped for beach rescues, after chief of police Randhi Belain assured the town that the vote was only procedural. “The tribe has graciously already given the town the money [for the trailer],” the chief said. “There will be no cost to the town.”