Aquinnah voters on Wednesday backed a $120,000 tax override related to the town’s high school assessment and re-elected incumbent selectman Jim Newman.
A total of 151 of the town’s 366 registered voters, about 40 per cent, turned out for the town election Wednesday at the Aquinnah town office building.
Mr. Newman, a four-term selectman, defeated challenger Barbara Bassett for another three-year term on the board in the only contested race this year. Ms. Bassett had sought a more inclusive and transparent town government, and more conservative spending. Mr. Newman had emphasized the need for better communication regarding town finances and the need to increase the town’s tax base. Mr. Newman received 101 votes and Ms. Bassett received 48.
Mr. Newman heard the news from town clerk Carolyn Feltz after votes were counted Wednesday night. Ms. Bassett also called to offer her congratulations.
“What I want to continue to see is that we practice austerity measures but not to the exclusion of moving forward,” Mr. Newman told the Gazette Thursday.
He added that he would like to improve transparency in town government and solicit more help from the community. “There are many skilled people in town who could give us constructive suggestions and work along with us,” he said. He pointed out the ongoing need for a town finance committee and affordable housing committee.
Voters also weighed in on three spending questions. The tax override related to school spending passed 89-56 despite concerns about rising education costs. The town’s overall education budget this year was about $1.2 million.
Voters easily approved a debt exclusion related to the purchase of a new home for the Center for Living, which serves Island seniors. Aquinnah’s approval of the purchase clears the way for Dukes County to purchase and renovate the former Vineyard Nurses Association building in Tisbury for $1.6 million. The debt exclusion passed 95-45.
Another debt exclusion, related to a new high school administration building, failed 61-78, but was mostly irrelevant, since the proposal has been defeated in three Island towns. All six towns would have needed to approve the spending. The proposal was withdrawn from the Aquinnah town meeting warrant, in part because a 60-day window for towns to weigh in on the project had already passed.
A third debt exclusion relating to the payment for two properties at the Aquinnah Circle also received strong backing, with 97 votes in favor and 40 opposed. Last fall voters agreed to spend $590,000 on the properties, which lie just east of the Gay Head Light and will provide open space, recreation and other public uses.
Elected without contest were Noni Smith, library trustee, 126 (top vote getter); James Glavin, board of health, 125; Berta Welch, planning board, 122; and Sarah Thulin, Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission, 116.
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