Senior managers at the Steamship Authority knew months in
advance that the starboard engine on the New Bedford passenger
ferry Schamonchi was likely to fail, the Gazette has learned.

A professional marine survey prepared for the boat line
three months ago reported in some detail on the worn condition
of the engine. "The machinery, especially the starboard engine,
is approaching the end of its useful life, with major overhaul
due. The generators are of older vintage. Spare parts will be
scarce," wrote Michael L.

Following a late-night discussion that grew cranky at times,
the Martha's Vineyard Commission voted narrowly last week to
designate a district of critical planning concern for the
shorelines of two shellfish-rich ponds in Chilmark.

The vote was 9-6 to approve the Menemsha and Nashaquitsa
Ponds DCPC.

Jennie Greene, the appointed member of the commission from
Chilmark, fought bitterly to block the DCPC.

"I think this is a slam-dunk that a couple of people put
together.

By an overwhelming margin, Raymond LaPorte was elected to the Tisbury board of selectmen Tuesday. He welcomes the challenge and speaks confidently, not arrogantly, about the role he looks forward to playing in the highest elected position he has ever held on the Island. His strength stems in part from his years of volunteer work and his active lifestyle.

With the American lobster in short supply in Vineyard
waters, the state and federal governments are in the early
stages of considering new minimum sizes and catch limits.
Hearings are planned for later this summer.

A Massachusetts Land Court judge last week dismissed the central claim in a complicated property rights case that centers on an attempt by a group of developers to open up access to a vast area of landlocked lots off Moshup Trail in Aquinnah.

Land Bank's Year

By MANDY LOCKE

Martha's Vineyard Land Bank revenues will fall slightly
below the $8.5 million record set in the last fiscal year. With
the close of the fiscal year but two weeks away, land bank
executive director James Lengyel projects ending the year with
$7.6 million.

Given the recent downturn in the economy, Mr. Lengyel and
the land bank commission expected this drop. In fact, the
commission predicted a 15 per cent decrease for this year and
the next two years.

Governor Files SSA Bill

By JULIA WELLS

Acting Gov.

This time around, the gloves are coming off. That is the word that's been quietly circulated for the last several months by spokesmen for the Down Island Golf Club, as they prepared a new plan to build a private luxury golf club in the southern woodlands section of Oak Bluffs.

Revealing new details in the investigation into the March car crash that killed 18-year-old Eric MacLean, a police affidavit filed last week in Edgartown District Court unleashes an array of allegations that a Tisbury taxi operation and a car and moped rental business are involved in a counterfeit inspection sticker scam that extends far beyond the fatal crash.

Today, the Island's new central transfer facility is doubtless the cleanest in the country.