From the Jan. 24, 1936 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:
The new garden seed catalogs are out, and if the intentions of the people who receive them should be carried into effect the over-production would be staggering to contemplate. As it happens, however, the anticipations and eager plans of gardeners when they run through the alluring new catalogs by the fire in January are quickly ploughed under when planting time comes.
Tomatoes, as pictured in the new catalogs, are not only a triumph of horticulture, but also of the printing art. Even without the nostalgia for spring that is brought on by the combination of a new seed book and the sound of a cold gale outside, these beautiful, radiant tomatoes would be irresistible. It is the same way to greater or less degree with all the colored plates in the books, from petunias to the new and more extravagantly decorative nasturtiums.
All this sending out of seed catalogs in January is propaganda of the most effective sort. But it is not insidious. It is as frank and aboveboard as the announcement of an old time gospel sermon. Even a slight exposure makes an impression upon the victim, and sets him to yearning for the smell and feel of the spring earth, and the first leaflets of the new peas. We like it, because it is all on our side. We hope summer visitors read their catalogs carefully and return early to the Vineyard.
The returns from the state census taken last year show decided gains in the population of some of the Island towns. The figures have just become available in a bulletin from the state. The total Island population is placed at 5,700, as compared with the total of 4,953 shown in the decennial federal census of 1930.
Figures for the various towns of the Vineyard are as follows: Tisbury 1822, an increase of 18.2 per cent; Oak Bluffs, 1,657, increase 24.3 per cent; Edgartown, 1,399, increase 4.4 per cent; West Tisbury, 282, increase 4.4 per cent; Gay Head, 158, increase 1.9 per cent.
Gosnold is the only town in the entire county to show a decrease in population. The number now is 129, a drop of 7.5 per cent.
Voters of Oak Bluffs will be presented with an ordinance covering building and business activities, which they will be invited to discuss and to pass upon at the annual town meeting. This ordinance, prepared by the town planning board, is the first of its kind ever to be framed on the Island, but similar provision has been advocated for years in all three of the down-Island towns.
While the ordinance framed by the Oak Bluffs board is offered merely as a suggestion for the guidance of the voters, it is believed that it would be effective in achieving the popularly-desired results, namely the protection of the residential portions of the town from advancing commercialism.
The planning board, established years ago and authorized to act under certain conditions and cases, has not been particularly active before. The apparent interest in residential property of late, coupled with the knowledge that certain former residential locations have begun to decline in value, have tended to dispel the former feeling that all was secure against the tide of commercialism.
The planning board has made its position clear in this matter, after having studied the problems of various mainland towns and the methods of solving them. No unusual or additional authority is sought by the board, which will operate only as a body to investigate and report to the selectmen in similar manner to the finance committee. By this means the board expects to be of signal service to assessors, since they will be able to keep an accurate record of all building activities.
It is confidently believed by the planning board, and by the majority of the representative citizens of Oak Bluffs, that this, or some similar system of regulation is needed in all of the down-Island towns if residential property values are to be safeguarded. The suggested ordinance follows:
1. From the date of the passage of this ordinance all application for business licenses, the erection of new, repairing or improvement of old buildings, shall be referred to the planning board for consideration and approval.
2. This ordinance does not in any way effect existing businesses or buildings, except as provided in Paragraph 1.
3. From the passage of this ordinance no licenses for new business enterprises shall be granted within the following limits: Bounded on the east by Lake Anthony or Oak Bluffs harbor, north by Nantucket Sound, west by Vineyard Haven harbor, south by Eastville avenue straight through to Pacific avenue and thence to New York avenue.
4. The business section of Oak Bluffs shall be considered as follows: Both sides of Circuit avenue, Circuit avenue extension, Lake avenue, Oak Bluffs avenue, Kennebec avenue, Park avenue.
5. Plans and specifications for new buildings or alterations or extensions shall be presented to the planning board for approval, before permit for the same is granted.
Compiled by Hilary Wallcox
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