Voters in all six Island towns will now have the opportunity to voice their opinions on the Oak Bluffs roundabout this spring.
Selectmen from five of the six towns have agreed to place a nonbinding resolution on their town ballots. The resolution asks voters whether they approve of the proposed roundabout at the blinker light intersection in Oak Bluffs.
Aquinnah selectmen have yet to add the question to that town’s ballot, but town clerk Carolyn Feltz said Wednesday morning that she had certified a petition for the question. Aquinnah selectmen will vote on the issue at their next regular meeting, Ms. Feltz said.
Chilmark and Tisbury voted to add the roundabout question to their ballots at their respective meetings on Tuesday.
Chilmark town administrator Tim Carroll said the selectmen debated taking up the resolution at the annual town meeting instead of on the ballot, but decided against it. “It’s better as a question on the ballot than the warrant article,” Mr. Fenner said. The vote was unanimous.
Chilmark town clerk Jennifer Christy said the petition to add the resolution was submitted by Madeline Fisher, who also submitted the petition to Edgartown.
Vineyard Haven resident Denys Wortman brokered the subject with the Tisbury selectmen on Tuesday.
“As you know, there’s been more discussion going round and round about the roundabout; it’s almost become like an Olympic sport,” said Mr. Wortman. “I always thought it might not be a bad idea to get a nonbinding referendum for all the towns on the Island to sign in on this.”
The selectmen agreed to do so with no discussion.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, meanwhile, is moving forward with the project and plans to begin seeking construction bids in April. Last week, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, which approved the roundabout project with some conditions as a development of regional impact, approved a proposed design aimed to reduce the visual impact of bus stops and pullouts.
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