Facing the possibility of up to $1 million in unplanned fuel costs, Steamship Authority management is taking a hard look at slowing down its ferries to and from Martha's Vineyard as a way to cut costs.

SSA General manager Wayne Lamson said yesterday that reducing speeds would be "at the top of our list" for reining in operating costs at the boat line.

The Steamship Authority has forecasted operating expenses this year of $63.5 million.

Affordable Housing Initiative Clears Key Hurdles at Ballot Box

By JAMES KINSELLA

Voters in three Vineyard towns yesterday brought the Island a step closer to the creation of a housing bank by backing the initiative and enacting the Community Preservation Act.

Approval of the CPA in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and West Tisbury provided a crucial step on the road to establishment of a housing bank, which would be modeled on the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank.

Neighbors and Residents Lambaste Draft Plan for Old House Pond

By IAN FEIN

Martha\'s Vineyard Land Bank officials came under fire
this week for their draft plan for Ice House Pond Preserve and the
methods by which they obtained the property.

Neighbors and Residents Lambaste Draft Plan for Old House Pond

By IAN FEIN

Martha's Vineyard Land Bank officials came under fire
this week for their draft plan for Ice House Pond Preserve and the
methods by which they obtained the property.

Finance, School Boards Face Off Over Budget; District Fate Uncertain

By IAN FEIN

Emotions ran high and arrows flew this week at a
joint meeting between the Up-Island Regional School Committee and the
West Tisbury finance committee, ostensibly called to find a meeting
of the minds on budgetary matters as the annual town meeting season
gets under way.

But hanging in the air was the unspoken issue of the fate of
the small regional school district.

Finance, School Boards Face Off Over Budget; District Fate Uncertain

By IAN FEIN

Emotions ran high and arrows flew this week at a
joint meeting between the Up-Island Regional School Committee and the
West Tisbury finance committee, ostensibly called to find a meeting
of the minds on budgetary matters as the annual town meeting season
gets under way.

But hanging in the air was the unspoken issue of the fate of
the small regional school district.

Disgruntled Worker Accused of Cutting Adelphia Cable

By JAMES KINSELLA

A former Adelphia service technician has been accused
of sabotaging company property last Saturday, cutting more than 4,000
Vineyard residents off from cable television service for about 30
hours.

Michael F. Kemly, 47, of Herring Creek Road in Edgartown, was
charged Monday in Edgartown district court with 11 felony counts of
malicious destruction of property worth more than $250, and of
larceny of more than $250.

Three Annual Town Meetings Open Tuesday:

West Tisbury

By IAN FEIN

West Tisbury voters will decide next week whether
they want to spend $655,000 to purchase a private home in North
Tisbury for use as a temporary town hall and, possibly, the future
police station.

The home, on the corner of State and Old Stage roads, is
expected to be the center of debate at the annual town meeting
Tuesday night. Town moderator F. Patrick Gregory will open the
37-article warrant at 7 p.m. in the West Tisbury School.

Three Annual Town Meetings Open Tuesday:

Oak Bluffs

By JAMES KINSELLA

A proposal to fund the design of a new town hall tops
the warrant facing Oak Bluffs voters next Tuesday.

Additional issues to come before the town meeting include a
$20.3 million budget for the pending fiscal year, the expenditure of
$94,000 in ferry embarkation fee revenue, and adding the North Bluff
to the Cottage City historic district.