A future plan to expand the boundaries of the Edgartown historic district saw general support at a public hearing this week.

A majority of Edgartown homeowners who were polled about a possible expansion of the historic district said they’d like their properties to be included. Surveys were mailed in February. Public hearings are planned for this summer.

The Edgartown historic commission is beginning to test public support for an expansion of the town historic district. A survey has been mailed to 284 people who own property in an area marked for possible inclusion in the district, which would more than double if lines are redrawn as proposed.

A historic downtown Edgartown property that housed a women’s clothing store for nearly three decades has been sold. The new owners said they plan to open a year-round pedestrian food market there sometime this summer.

The buzz in the basement of the Old Whaling Church on Friday afternoon came from the members of the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust, gathered for their annual meeting and luncheon. But the main topic of conversation was unbeknownst to a key member of the group. In honor of Christopher Scott’s 20th year as executive director, the Edgartown selectmen and the Edgartown historic district commission presented Mr. Scott with the Edgartown historic district preservation award.

The Edgartown historic district commission Tuesday approved the demolition of a South Water street building, making way for plans for a new mixed-use building on the site.

By SARA BROWN

The Edgartown historic district commission Tuesday approved the demolition of a South Water street building, making way for plans for a new mixed-use building on the site.

The commission approved Eugene Courtney’s application to demolish the current building at 6 South Water street, which is about 70 years old and has insect and fungus rot, Mr. Courtney said.

The Edgartown historic district commission took the first formal step Monday toward expanding the town’s historic district.

At their regular meeting, the selectmen approved the commission’s request to begin drawing up new boundaries for the oddly shaped district that leaves parts of downtown Edgartown outside of its boundaries.

The district should be “more concise,” James Cisek, chairman of the commission, told the board.

Reacting to the pending demolition of an early 20th century bungalow, the Edgartown historic district commission began discussing the possible expansion of the historic district this week.

The Morse street bungalow, slated to be torn down and replaced with a three-bay garage, sits just outside the historic district.

The Edgartown historic district should be expanded, the town selectmen said this week, reigniting a debate over how to expand the district to encompass more of the downtown area.

“I would like to encourage [the historic district commission] to move on something like that, I hope the selectmen would be in support of putting something together,” said selectman Michael Donaroma at the weekly board meeting Monday. “I’m all for it.”

The Edgartown historic district commission has ordered a cease and desist on construction of a large fence being built on a North Water street home.

The order was issued to Edgartown contractor John Nugent on Wednesday to halt activity on a new granite and wood fence and granite curbing at 93 North Water street, as well as a brick retaining wall along Cottage street which runs perpendicular to the property.