Oak Bluffs selectmen clashed this week over whether a plan to convert the former town library at the corner of Penacook and Circuit avenue into a pharmacy and affordable housing should be referred to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission for review.

The project has been spearheaded by the town affordable housing committee and its chairman Ronald DiOrio, who is also a selectman.

No new hookups will be allowed at the Oak Bluffs wastewater treatment plant until at least next June, due to orders from the state Department of Environmental Protection that relate to the problems with treated effluent seeping to the surface at Ocean Park.

Though it contains some important housekeeping matters, next Tuesday’s Aquinnah special town meeting warrant is noteworthy more for what has been removed than for what remains.

Aquinnah ended the Island political season on a big yes this week, approving all warrant articles at Tuesday’s annual town meeting, then voting to approve a $100,000 override and backing all candidates in the town election Wednesday.

Voters approved a $3 million budget, increased education costs and made their way through 16 articles in less than two hours at the last Vineyard annual town meeting of the year.

Finance committee member Isaac Taylor presented the budget and appealed to voters to back the ballot override question.

A little more than two years after a hurricane-like spring storm tore a wide opening at Norton Point beach in Edgartown, the breach has begun to change, migrating eastward toward Chappaquiddick. As a result the tides in Katama Bay and the Edgartown harbor have begun to moderate, which may mean some relief for sailors and boaters this summer.

On the eve of contract negotiations with the town, Tisbury police chief John Cashin yesterday mounted an extraordinary attack on dissident members of his own department, threatening to sue some officers for defamation over a whispering campaign against him.

He also accused one of the selectmen — whom he declined to name but who was identified by several other sources as Jeff Kristal — of undermining his authority by interceding on behalf of an officer Chief Cashin wanted to discipline for abuse of sick leave entitlements.

HOLLY NADLER

508-274-9239

(hollynadler@gmail.com)

It’s been said before, but Mother’s Day isn’t truly for mothers. It’s for florists and chocolatiers, and we all know any number of nice florists and chocolatiers whom we wish well and hope that they prosper every year on that special Sunday in May. In fact, according to news accounts, on this past Mother’s Day, these retailers made out, if not like bandits, then at least like professionals who have good reason to continue plying their agreeable trades.

JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

Chilmark is lush and green with lots of flowering shrubs both in gardens and in the wild along the roadsides. A real treat to our winter-tired eyes! And, I am sure, a challenge to all gardeners to get moving!

An early riser can overhear some interesting and colorful conversations among the bird life in our skies these days. Oh, to really know what they are saying!