Dylan Thomas
The birds of the winged trees flying my name Above the farms and the white horses I rose in rainy autumn And walked abroad in a shower of all my days. – Dylan Thomas
April 8, 2022
Mercury
Mercury is our only evening planet.
Regional Spending Has Seat at Town Meeting Table
Regional expenses and human services make up more than a dozen articles on each of Tuesday’s annual town meeting warrants, continuing a trend toward cost-sharing across Island municipalities.
Tisbury Eyes New Department Heads for Town Government
Tisbury government is growing, and at their annual and special town meetings next week voters will be asked to approve the establishment of a human resources department.
West Tisbury Big House Bylaw Expected to Spark Debate
West Tisbury voters will meet their new poet laureate and take up a warrant that is expected to spark discussion over more than one article at the annual town meeting next week.
Wastewater Planning, Bolstering Rainy Day Fund Top Edgartown Warrant
Money for wastewater planning, pay raises for town employees and a large infusion of cash into a rainy day fund all top the agenda when Edgartown voters gather for their annual town meeting Tuesday night.
Oak Bluffs Confronts Capital Spending Needs at Town Meeting
Millions in capital spending to restore the eroding East Chop Bluff and upgrade the town wastewater treatment plant will come before Oak Bluffs voters when they gather for their annual town meeting Tuesday night.
Housing Bank Takes Center Stage at Town Meetings
Four of the six Island towns will take the first steps next week in deciding the pivotal question of whether to ask the state legislature to allow creation of a Martha’s Vineyard Housing Bank.
The Housing Bank Question
The lack of affordable housing on Martha’s Vineyard has reached a crisis, where businesses and essential services are being increasingly hobbled by an inability to find workers.
Homeowners Ordered to Refill Unlawful Trench
The Chilmark conservation commission cited the owner of 6 Eddy Road this week for erroneously digging a trench through a wetland and removing plantings on the property.
Housing Bank Is a Risky Proposition
The proposed housing bank bill replaces the direct democracy of town meeting with a central committee, consisting of seven commissioners, one elected from each town, and a seventh commissioner elected Islandwide.
Housing Bank Is the Answer
As a recently retired, Oak Bluffs-born and raised community banker since the age of 15, I am keenly aware of the trajectory of our housing crisis.
A Step in the Right Direction
The housing bank is the issue of this year.
Great Starting Point
I would like to share my thoughts and support for the proposed housing bank article, which will be on all Island town warrants this spring.
Public Apology
would like to publicly apologize to Susan Desmarais for the offense and hurt caused by my remarks during her statement at the March 31 Oak Bluffs planning board meeting.
A Special Place
It is with many emotions that Ed and I hand over stewardship of Ashakomaksett Farm to the land bank today.
Ocean View Memories
We have just received the news that the Ocean View Restaurant was destroyed by a fire.
Charlie’s Choice
From the April 9, 1948 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending April 1
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $374,210 for the business week ending on Friday, April 1, 2022.
Rise Dance Showcase
The Rise Dance Company hosts its annual showcase this Sunday, April 10, at 3 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center.
Kids Trout Tournament Returns
Kids trout tournament gets underway at first light on April 9 at Duarte’s Pond.
Please Adopt Us: April 8
We have an adoption to report: Lola, the 15-years-young Russian Blue cat
Natalie Arrives
Lorraine Ferro and Joshua Potter, of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Natalie Rose, born on March 30 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Hello, Huk
Kaleigh Hamilton and Wyatt Hamilton, of West Tisbury, announce the birth of a son, Huk Leigh Hamilton, born on March 29 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Vineyard Organizations Receive Travel and Tourism Recovery Grants
The Edgartown Board of Trade and the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival received grants from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism as part of its recovery grant program.
Aquinnah to Rethink Proposals for Circle Site
The Aquinnah select board paused its plans to lease Aquinnah Circle No. 9 Tuesday, heeding criticism over the lack of Tribal representation in the town’s decision making process for the site.
Recent Real Estate Transactions
Mark L. Greene and Pamela B. Greene purchased 69 Martha’s Road in Edgartown from Millers Unlimited Properties LLC for $2,895,000 on March 29.
Security Cameras Will Go on Harbor Master Shack for Now
Chilmark voted to install security cameras on the harbor master shack in Menemsha while it forms a committee to figure out the best way to install cameras on the west dock.
West Tisbury Town Column: April 8
Along with the daffodils, there are many election posters along our roads in anticipation of next week’s town meeting and election.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: April 8
April very well might be the cruelest month of all, as T.S. Eliot said.
Edgartown Town Column: April 8
We are still on the weather roller coaster but more on the uphill climb.
Chilmark Town Column: April 8
When you’ve jetted off for a tropical adventure and your flight home is canceled at the last minute, you make the most of it, wander back to the beach and plop yourself down in a lounge chair.
Chappaquiddick Town Column: April 8
One of the options that the Chappy Ferry steering committee has come up with to address the issue of the length of time that people have to wait in line with their vehicles is a bridge.
Warbler Neck
A common complaint of springtime birders is warbler neck, a soreness in the neck from looking overhead at small insect-eating birds in the treetops during April and May.
Home Grown
My onion babies have been out in their flats for a few weeks and have experienced several freezes.
Not a Swallow
Blame it on autocorrect.
Bill to Ban Rental Mopeds Is Aired Before State Legislators
State Rep. Dylan Fernandes and former Chilmark police chief Timothy Rich squared off against moped rental business owners at a legislative hearing Tuesday to consider a long-sought bill that would enable Oak Bluffs to ban moped rentals.
Baseball Team Shuts Out Dennis-Yarmouth
The Vineyard baseball team opened its season in a decisive way, shutting out Dennis-Yarmouth 10-0 on Monday.
Détente Gets Approval to Continue Outdoor Dining
Outdoor dining will remain in Nevin Square as the Edgartown select board voted Monday to allow Détente to continue its expanded outdoor seating permanently.
With Case Counts Low, Boards of Health End Expanded Weekly Reports
The Martha’s Vineyard boards of health reported 20 positive cases of Covid-19 for the seven-day period ending April 2. The Vineyard remains classified as low risk.
Remembering John Phillips, a Friend to Island Anglers
I first met John Phillips when he stepped off the Steamship Authority ferry in Oak Bluffs almost three decades ago.
Oak Bluffs Select Board Candidates Speak on the Issues
Three candidates are running for one three-year seat on the Oak Bluffs select board. The Gazette emailed questions to the candidates. Responses appear in alphabetical order.
West Tisbury Select Board Candidates Express Their Views
Three candidates are seeking a one-year seat on the West Tisbury select board, left vacant by the recent death of Kent Healy. The Gazette emailed questions to the candidates. Their responses follow.
Release of H2B Visas Is Announced
A large allotment of H-2B work visas was announced by Rep. Bill Keating’s office last Thursday, easing some of the uncertainty among Island business owners about the summer work force, especially for returning workers.
Vineyard Tennis Teams Open Season With Clean Sweeps
The Vineyard tennis teams opened the season in a decisive way Friday, with both the girls and boys teams defeating their opponents from Lowell Catholic High School 5-0.
Respecting the Land Keeps Roots of Community Strong
Juli Vanderhoop, Aquinnah select board member and owner of Orange Peel Bakery, moved back to the Island 20 years ago for the community, she told a group of 30 people Friday at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.
Les Misérables Electrifies as Island Students Return to the Stage
Island families, music lovers and theatre buffs flocked to the Performing Arts Center over the weekend for the regional high school’s production of Les Misérables.
School Leaders Condemn Outburst at Oak Bluffs Planning Board Meeting
Martha’s Vineyard school leaders are strongly condemning an Island resident for his vulgar outburst at an Oak Bluffs planning board meeting Thursday evening.
Land Bank Buys Meetinghouse Way Farm for $9.5 Million
Open space conservation, winterized housing for employees and generous assistance from a community bank are all factors in an out-of-the-ordinary purchase by the land bank.
Hospital Opens Appointments for Second Boosters
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital is now offering second booster shots of the Covid-19 vaccine to anyone over the age of 50 and people with certain medical conditions.
