The Dukes County Commission voted last week to request $600,000 from the Island towns for a renovation to the Vineyard Health Care Access Program building on New York avenue in Oak Bluffs.

After failing at the ballot box two years ago, the Dukes County Commission took steps Wednesday to again attempt to change the role of county treasurer from an elected to an appointed government position.

As public pressure grows in the wake of Steamship Authority cancellations, breakdowns and reservation woes, the Dukes County commission invited Jim Malkin, Vineyard representative to the SSA, to give an update on operations at the ferry line on Sept. 7.

The race for county commission is now a little less up for grabs following the Sept. 6 state primary that saw six candidates — three incumbents who were on the ballot as well as three write-ins — winning Democratic nominations to appear on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Dukes County commissioners will seek to begin a dialogue with the state, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown about safety issues at the big bridge following the tragic deaths of brothers Tavaughn and Tavaris Bulgin last weekend.

Longtime former Tisbury town treasurer Tim McLean was appointed county treasurer, taking on some of the duties of retiring elected treasurer Ann Metcalf.

With significant American Rescue Plan Act funding earmarked for wastewater projects at the Martha's Vineyard Airport and Martha's Vineyard commission, the Dukes County commission has begun to eye a new, broad wastewater initiative for the remainder of its ARPA funding.

At a special meeting Tuesday afternoon, members of the Dukes County Commission discussed the next steps in filling the open position of county treasurer.

The Dukes County commission agreed this week to sign a letter of support for the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital’s project to build a new nursing home in Edgartown.