Town elections take place Thursday April 10 in Edgartown, West Tisbury and Oak Bluffs.
There are no contested races in West Tisbury. In Oak Bluffs three candidates are running for the postion of town clerk, two candidates are running for one postion on the board of health, two candidates are running for parks commissioner and two candidates are running for wasetewater commissioner. There are no other contested races.
In Edgartown, two candidates are running for one position on the planning board, and three candidates are running for one position on the select board.
The three candidates for select board are incumbent Michael Donaroma, the current chair of the select board, Alex Morrison, a landscaper and contractor, and Glen Searle, a retired fire fighter.
The three select board candidates responded to questions emailed to them by the Gazette. Their answers, edited for clarity, style and length, appear below.
Michael J. Donaroma
Occupation: President of Donaroma’s Nursery and Landscape Services, Inc.
Current or previous town board service or other relevant roles:
Member of the select board for seven terms.
Member of the planning board for 12 years.
Member of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission for 10 years.
The Edgartown Land Bank advisory board chair for over 15 years.
Chair for the library building committee through its completion.
President of the Martha’s Vineyard Boys and Girls Club for two years.
What encouraged you to run for select board?
My hope for my grandchildren, and for all of Edgartown’s children, is to have the opportunity to grow-up in the best little town in the country, as I did. The long-standing approach to government in Edgartown has been rooted in deep institutional knowledge, strong relationships and a firm grasp on how to get things accomplished in a small close-knit community. I want to bring the projects we have in process to fruition, such as the Robinson Road recreation center, the MVBGC expansion, the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School expansion, the new fire station, wastewater system expansion, protecting beach access, a new hospital and affordable housing. The good of Edgartown was, is and will continue to be my focus.
What is the most critical issue for Edgartown?
Affordable housing is a critical issue. This should be a multi-pronged approach. It’s important that we provide affordable housing opportunities so those who work and serve in our community are able to live here in safe, decent and affordable homes. We also want to continue to support an active and diverse community and we don’t want to put our seniors in a position of no longer being able to afford to stay on the Island they call home.
This is especially challenging on an Island with limited resources. We have to look at the logistics of traffic, waste management, preservation of sensitive eco-systems and also proximity to needed services.
With high land and building costs, funding is a key component of our strategy. We must identify and leverage a variety of funding sources such as the Island Housing Trust, the Edgartown Affordable Housing Committee and private entities.
Other key issues are the expansion of the waste water system. This is state regulated and will be very expensive. Proper planning and execution will hopefully allow for expansion to the Ocean Heights area. Another large project will be our share of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School expansion.
Walter Alexander Morrison
Occupation: Owner of Alexander Morrison landscaping and construction
Current or previous town board service or other relevant roles:
Current wastewater commission chairman.
Current short term rental committee chairman.
Current measurer of wood, bark and coal.
What encouraged you to run for select board?
I am running for the select board to help preserve the unique character, history and coastal charm of Edgartown. My hope is that when my children are old enough to raise their own families, they will also have the opportunity to live here. At 42 years old, I believe now is a critical time for me to get involved. I want to be a part of shaping the future of Edgartown, ensuring that the decisions we make today lead us down a path that will allow our community to thrive, while preserving what makes it so special. I believe voters deserve a fresh perspective, strong leadership skills and a voice that represents all generations of our town.
What is the most critical issue for Edgartown?
I believe the most pressing issue facing Edgartown is finding a balance between overdevelopment and responsible, sustainable growth. The events of 2020 highlighted the consequences of accelerated, unsustainable development. As we move forward, we must remain mindful of preserving the integrity of our community and the health of our ponds, all while strategically addressing affordable housing and its potential impact on our schools, fire, police and EMS services. I believe the town would greatly benefit from a unified, collaborative effort among key boards such as the planning board, zoning board, conservation commission, wastewater, board of health and the Martha’s Vineyard Commission. My goal is to see these groups work together to proactively develop solutions before challenges arise, positioning Edgartown ahead of the curve. I also believe that by increasing community awareness of meetings and the work being done by various boards we could encourage greater participation from residents.
Glen S. Searle
Mr. Searle delivered brief handwritten answers to the questionnaire to the Gazette office due to technological difficulties. The Gazette also spoke with Mr. Searle by phone.
Occupation: Semi-retired. Mr. Searle worked at Al’s package store for 10 years and Your Market for 30 years. He worked as a fire fighter for the Edgartown department for 30 years and is currently a property manager.
Current or previous town board service or other relevant roles:
37 years as a parks commission member.
Five years serving on the planning board.
18 years as a waste water commissioner.
Former president of the Edgartown fireman’s association for four years.
Currently serving on the community preservation committee.
Currently serving on the Christmas decoration committee.
What encouraged you to run for select board?
As a lifelong resident with over 37 years of public service, I believe that experience, dedication and fresh ideas are key to keeping our town strong while embracing thoughtful change. I have served on multiple boards, including the fire department, wastewater commission, planning board and parks department, and I am committed to working hard for our community. Those who know me know that I am honest, hardworking and approachable. I believe in open communication and making responsible decisions for the future of Edgartown.
What is the most critical issue for Edgartown?
Mr. Searle said affordable housing is the most critical issue for Edgartown, particularly for town employees. He said many of the people applying to work for the Island are coming from off-Island and the rent they would have to pay here is too high.
Mr. Searle suggested having all the Island towns get together in a meeting with Dukes County to talk about acquiring land near the airport to build housing. Mr. Searle also wants to build housing for the Island’s homeless population, which he said is growing.
He described this year to be a transition for the town, with several veteran employees retiring. Mr. Searle said he would lead the town in giving the newcomers support.
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