Scores Improve on MCAS Test

High School Tops State Average in Both Math and English; Lower
Grades Also See Strong Exam Results

By ALEXIS TONTI

The results are in from the spring round of MCAS testing, and
students at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School again
posted strong scores on the rigorous exam required by the state for
graduation.

Ninety-two per cent of Vineyard high school sophomores passed the
English exam, while 94 per cent passed the math exam, surpassing
statewide averages.

State Forest Tapped for Massive Clearing

By TOM DUNLOP

Swift and monumental change may soon come to blighted landscapes in
the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest, which lies at the geographical and
ecological heart of Martha's Vineyard.

The flakes falling around Scott Hershowitz's leather boots
look like snow. But this is September, and Mr. Hershowitz is sweating
like crazy, the droplets sliding down his nose and off his chin.

Oak Bluffs selectmen gave the official go-ahead to the
Island's first roundabout this week, awarding a $40,000 design
contract for the traffic circle to an engineering and architecture firm
in Stoneham.

After years of uphill struggle and vocal protest, the Vineyard community will finally get what it wants, a full service Coast Guard station at Menemsha. In a formal ceremony on Monday, with the eyes of Island officials, the United States Coast Guard and Cong. William Delahunt watching, the station will be upgraded to full status.

"This will be a great day for Menemsha," declared Chilmark selectman Warren Doty yesterday. It is not often that the waterfront community agrees on anything related to the federal government, but they agree on this.

Chilmark town moderator Everett H. Poole will bang the gavel Monday
night, and town voters will consider the question of parties.

A special town meeting is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Chilmark
Community Center, and the 17-article warrant includes a proposal to
limit the excessive use of private homes for commercial weddings.

Boat Line Eyes Rate Increases

Preliminary Budget Unveiled; New Fee Hikes Are Proposed for All
Parking Permits and Hazardous Trips

By CHRIS BURRELL

Despite rising fuel costs and lagging car traffic on Steamship
Authority ferries, the boat line leadership still plans to hold the line
next year on ticket rates for cars and walk-on passengers.

In other words, no fare hikes. The cost to park your car in a
mainland lot, however, is another story.

Voters in Aquinnah Will Confront Supplemental Budget Request

By ALEXIS TONTI

After twice rejecting a general override to Proposition 2 1/2,
voters in Aquinnah are being asked to consider yet another request for
extra funding, this time for $113,000.

The money would cover cost of living increases for town employees
and restore a number of other drastic cuts that were necessary to
balance the budget earlier this year.

A special town meeting to consider a supplemental budget convenes
Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Aquinnah town hall.

Westwood Crushes the Vineyard in Disappointing Home Opener

By ALEXIS TONTI

The Vineyarders took a hit Friday night, falling 35-0 to Westwood in
a game that pitted last year's Division V and Division VI
champions against one another.

Coast Guard Suspends Vineyard SSA Captain

The United States Coast Guard confirmed yesterday that it has
suspended the license of an experienced Steamship Authority captain for
negligence in an alarming accident during a man overboard drill on the
ferry Islander last year.

Lieut. John Winter, a senior marine investigator and marine safety
officer based in Providence, R.I., said Capt. David Dandridge turned in his
license last Wednesday for a 30-day suspension.