Remnants of Ivan Deliver Stormy Blast in Weekend of High Winds,
Heavy Seas
By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL
The remains of one of the worst hurricanes of the year came up from
the south and brought severe weather across the Island over the weekend.
A 36-foot power boat was destroyed on Saturday when it broke from its
mooring in the Vineyard Haven outer harbor and was thrown against the
breakwater in heavy seas.
Two other boats were grounded in the area. In Edgartown two boats
were grounded and a third sank at its dock.
Housing Committee Vetoes Restrictions
Oak Bluffs Resident Homesite Group Seeks Fewer Controls on Youth
Lots, Uncorking a Fresh Controversy
By CHRIS BURRELL
The Dukes County Regional Housing Authority raised serious questions
yesterday about a proposal in Oak Bluffs to ease restrictions on the
resale of past and future resident homesite lots.
Low enrollment numbers coupled with strict state guidelines have
forced the Martha's Vineyard Adult Learning Partnership to scrap
its general education diploma (GED) classes which typically start up in
September.
The decision leaves the Vineyard with no option for people needing
preparation for the high school equivalency diploma - unless
you're an inmate at the county jail.
Boat Line Budget Is Central Topic at Board Meeting
By ALEXIS TONTI
Steamship Authority governors meet on the Vineyard this week to take
up the 2005 draft operating budget, operating schedules and the search
for the new general manager, part of a packed agenda for the monthly
boat line meeting.
Acting general manager Wayne Lamson said yesterday that he
anticipates putting a $65 million to $70 million draft operating budget
before the board for discussion.
Martha's Vineyard Regional High School committee members voted
extra salary hikes this week for seven top Vineyard school
administrators and high-level staff, but on the other end of the scale
170 teaching assistants, custodians, secretaries and lunchroom workers
are still working without any raises over last year's pay.
Despite vocal protests and the lack of even one voice in favor of
the project, Oak Bluffs selectmen say they are forging ahead with plans
to construct a traffic roundabout at one of the Island's busiest
intersections.
A single-lane traffic circle, the roundabout would replace the
four-way stop signs installed more than a year ago at the junction
between Barnes Road and the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, a major
east-west artery.
Garage Owner Faces Deadline
Oak Bluffs Building Inspector Issues Order for Revised Plan; North
Bluff Controversy Buffets Mr. Moujabber
By CHRIS BURRELL
The owner of a controversial three-story garage in Oak Bluffs is now
under the gun to file revised architectural plans for the project within
the next 13 days, or else face official pressure to demolish the
backyard building.
West Tisbury Assessors Lose Tax Challenge
By ALEXIS TONTI
The Massachusetts Court of Appeals this week overturned a decision
by the state Appellate Tax Board and ruled that the Martha's
Vineyard Land Bank is exempt from all taxation, upholding the power
vested in the conservation agency by its enabling legislation.
The case is an appeal of a decision first made by the West Tisbury
board of assessors that ordered the land bank to pay about $700 in taxes
on property bought in fiscal year 2002.
The ruling was issued Wednesday.
Regina Weichert has come to dread the part of the day that brings
her to the Edgartown post office, and as she emerged from the facility
yesterday afternoon with a pile of mail, she could only sigh.
"Do you want to know how bad the line is?" she asked as
she made her way to her car. "It's terrible. It's
always terrible."
Court Ousts Trash Company in Oak Bluffs Neighborhood
By ALEXIS TONTI
More than three years after a superior court judge ruled on the
issue, the Massachusetts Court of Appeals this week upheld a decision
ordering the trash hauling company Browning Ferris Industries (BFI) to
clear out of its Oak Bluffs depot.
The court of appeals rejected the challenge to the superior court
decision and declared commercial use of the property to be illegal under
Oak Bluffs zoning bylaws.
