A longtime incumbent running on his record of public service will face off against a political outsider who wants to increase civic activism in the race for Edgartown selectman this year.

Michael Donaroma, a 68-year-old landscaper and business owner who has been a fixture on the Edgartown board for the past 16 years, is running for his sixth term. He is being challenged by John (Jack) Krowski, a retired tree company owner who is 73 and has lived on the Island for the past 10 years.

The annual town election is Thursday, April 11. Polls are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the town hall.

Both candidates spoke to the Gazette by phone last week.

John (Jack) Krowski — Mark Alan Lovewell

• Mr. Donaroma said his extensive experience on the town planning board, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and the town land bank advisory board have prepared him to continue his work as selectman. “I want to continue everything I’ve been working on,” Mr. Donaroma said. “I’ve felt that with my schooling as a landscaper, I’ve always liked planning, and working with the planning board on projects is something I really like to do.”

Mr. Donaroma said that while he appreciates the sentiment of the housing bank initiative, he believes the town currently has a good handle on providing year-round and affordable housing through its own infrastructure. He also said it was too early to earmark money without knowing revenue estimates from the short-term rental tax.

“I think it’s a good idea, but it is not ready yet,” Mr. Donaroma said. “We don’t know what the impact is going to be. My concern is that an Islandwide bureaucracy is going to cost money, cost payroll . . . Our boards have good momentum right now.”

Mr. Donaroma cited his work with the town affordable housing committee on projects like Morgan Woods and the upcoming Meshacket development. He also said he would be excited to continue his work with the waterways and shellfish committee, as well as the Yellow House rehabilitation project, which he spearheaded.

“I am focused on creating a park and revitalizing the center of town,” Mr. Donaroma said. “I am excited about that.”

Mr. Donaroma said his personality made him a fit for the job.

“I’m level-headed. I listen to the people of the town. I try to address all their problems,” Mr. Donaroma said. “I try to listen to all sides and come up with a solution that will work for everybody.”

He is also president of the Boys and Girls Club of Martha’s Vineyard.

•

Mr. Krowski is running for two elected positions: selectman and also the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank, where he is vying for a seat against Richard S. Knight of Chappaqiuiddick.

He said his main goal was to win a seat on the land bank, but then he decided to run for selectman when he saw that Mr. Donaroma had no opponents.

“I am just doing my civic duty to give the voters a choice,” Mr. Krowski said. “I didn’t want to vote for Donaroma, so if people go to the voting booth they will have a choice. People who didn’t like the direction of the town.”

Mr. Krowski said a lack of affordable housing on the Island is one of his main concerns. He said he is against the proposed 34-lot Meeting House Way subdivision and supports the housing bank initiative on the town meeting warrant. “I’m in favor of [the housing bank], but I would really like to see it combined with the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank,” Mr. Krowski said. “The other land banks up in Maine have gotten involved with housing. On some of the property they own they may be able to carve up some lots while maintaining the conservation aspect.”

Mr. Krowski cited his own difficulties with home ownership on the Island.

“There’s no more affordable housing,” he said. “Regular folks are kind of shut out now. I’ve been here for 10 years, and it just gets worse.”

Mr. Krowski said he is frustrated with the lack of civic engagement in the town, and believes it is time for new faces in local government. He also committed to running for just one term.

“I would like to get other people involved,” Mr. Krowski said. “They’ve had the same people for 20 years now. Everybody’s good buddies up there. I want to work with the people and be a team player . . . that’s why I’m running.”