Budget of $17.6 Million Tops Annual Town Meeting Warrant
By MAX HART
After making short work of the nonappropriating side of town affairs
this week, Tisbury voters will head back to the elementary school
gymnasium for the annual town meeting Tuesday night, this time to tackle
finances for the upcoming fiscal year.
They will be greeted by a 21-article warrant featuring a $17.6
million budget and more than $1.5 million in spending requests,
including almost $600,000 in capital spending and close to $300,000 in
embarkation fee money allocation.
This year's race for the Oak Bluffs board of selectmen matches
two veteran leaders against two challengers relatively new to the
political arena.
Both the incumbents have long ties to the community and have served
on a number of town boards and commissions.
Gregory Coogan is a longtime teacher seeking his second term as
selectman.
Attorneys Trade Charges in Graham Property Case; Closing Legal
Briefs Filed
By IAN FEIN
In closing briefs filed at the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board
this week, attorneys for West Tisbury resident William W. Graham argued
that flaws and errors by town assessors warranted hundreds of thousands
of dollars in tax relief, while the town's attorney countered that
Mr. Graham never proved that the values placed on his property were
wrong.
Beacon Hill Politics Endanger Outcome in Tax Case Dispute
By IAN FEIN
In a rush of political maneuvering that played out on Beacon Hill
this week, the chairman of the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board on
Monday withdrew her name from consideration only two days before a
scheduled hearing on her reappointment to the post.
The uncertain fate of the chairman complicates the outcome of the
West Tisbury-Graham property tax case and raises the possibility that it
may have to be retried.
West Tisbury Reins in Costs for Next Year
By IAN FEIN
After reviewing the previous town budget last spring, the West
Tisbury finance committee authored a strong letter to selectmen warning
that the rapid growth of town spending was not sustainable.
It appears the town may have stemmed the tide.
Tisbury Faces $17.6 Million Budget
By MAX HART
No overrides. No surprises. No worries?
That seems to be the general consensus regarding Tisbury's
nearly $17.6 million operating budget for the fiscal year starting July
1. Abating insurance costs, stabilized debt payments and a little help
from Tisbury's embarkation fee funds all helped keep the budget to
a manageable 5.3 per cent increase over last year.
The annual town meeting is scheduled for April 4.
Oak Bluffs voters next month will take up a balanced budget of just
under $21.8 million for the fiscal year starting July 1.
Fourth in a series of profiles leading up to the West Tisbury
election.
West Tisbury resident Jonathan Revere says he is a direct descendent
of a brother of Paul Revere. A biographer of the Revolutionary War hero
once noted that his brothers "stayed out of politics, trouble and
history."
Clearly Jonathan Revere does not take after his forebear.
Creative Streak: Students Excel in School's Growing Art
Program
By MAX HART
In 1991, students enrolled in one of the few art classes taught at
the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School had only one place to
go.
Edgartown Weighs Merits of Water Contract Request
By JAMES KINSELLA
Edgartown water superintendent Fred Domont earlier this year sought
a salary of $100,000, but saw his request rejected by the board of
selectmen.
The Edgartown board of water commissioners, the elected board to
which Mr. Domont reports, backed the salary request, which would have
represented an increase of almost 40 per cent from his current pay.
