Fares for both cars and passengers on Steamship Authority ferries will go up beginning May 1 as a result of soaring world energy prices.

Passenger fare increases on both the Vineyard and Nantucket routes were recommended by boat line management at the April governors’ meeting in New Bedford on Tuesday. The fare hikes are expected to raise an extra $1.5 million in revenue to offset fuel price increases.

But after a long discussion, boat line governors called for raising vehicle rates as well, to provide a further financial cushion of some $575,000.

Proposed fare raises from the new owner of the Chappaquiddick ferry have drawn complaints from dozens of residents.

Peter Wells has asked permission from selectmen to raise cash prices for round-trip journeys from $3 to $4 for foot passengers and from $10 to $12 for cars.

To date 35 letters against the proposed hikes have come into the Edgartown selectmen’s office from the sparsely populated island.

The 527-foot trip, which generally takes between one and two minutes, is the only way on and off the island for most residents.

With a green light from both the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and the Chilmark planning board, the Middle Line Road affordable housing project has moved two steps closer to breaking ground.

Middle Line, which has been in the works since 2004, will be the first town-sponsored affordable housing project in Chilmark, with six rental units and six resident homesites.

At its meeting last Thursday night the commission voted 8-2 to approve the project, which was under review as a development of regional impact (DRI).

Sparks flew briefly in the Chilmark town hall this week after the zoning board of appeals approved a plan to turn the long-established Inn at Blueberry Hill into a members-only private club.

The zoning board voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the plan by Lifestyle Development Company, a New York-based for-profit organization. The inn must keep its restaurant open to the public and must allow 25 per cent of the inn guests to be from the general public.

Voters will have three strong-minded candidates to pick from in Aquinnah in a race for selectman to be decided May 14 in the annual town elections.

First-term incumbent and current chairman Camille Rose will face off against John Walsh and Roxanne Ackerman for the three-year term.

Mr. Walsh is currently a member of the town finance committee. Ms. Ackerman is Aquinnah’s representative on the Up-Island Regional School committee.

West Tisbury selectmen welcomed a new board member and settled into new roles this week.

Shortly after Richard Knabel was welcomed to his seat following victory over Glenn Hearn in the annual town election last week, Jeffrey S. (Skipper) Manter took the gavel as chairman. “It looks a little different from this side of the table,” Mr. Knabel said, thanking his supporters.

Felix Neck Schedules Day

For Volunteers to Assist

The Massachusetts Audubon Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is inviting volunteers to come to the sancturary from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 26 to help the sanctuary prepare for the season.

Volunteers will reinvigorate Felix Neck’s butterfly garden by planting, cleaning and pruning, and by building picnic tables and benches for the outdoor program area. The effort is part of Mass Audubon’s annual statewide volunteer day.

Corrections

A story in last Friday’s Gazette incorrectly reported the number of votes received in the Edgartown town election by Susan Mercier, who was elected to the school committee. She received 707 votes. The Gazette regrets the error.

•

A story in last Friday’s Gazette incorrectly sited the author of History of Martha’s Vineyard. The correct author is Charles Edward Banks. The Gazette regrets the error.

JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

Today is the beginning of a long holiday weekend in the Commonwealth. Monday is Patriots Day and it is also the beginning of spring break week over at the school. Trout fishing in the Mill Pond continues to increase each day and should really pick up next week. On Monday the town buildings will be closed to observe the state holiday. Passover begins at sundown on Saturday and Tuesday is the 19th annual Earth Day.

The Dukes County Charter Study Commission has revised several dates for its series of public feedback sessions.

The sessions will provide an opportunity for the public to weigh in on the work of the commissioners as they near the end of their 18-month study of county government. The commission will make recommendations to the public in May.