After more than two years of trying to conceive a new purpose and
new life for an old building, Oak Bluffs selectmen are poised to sign a
contract to lease their abandoned town hall to the Steamship Authority
for roughly $46,000 a year.

An Hour to New Bedford, Starting June 24

By TOM DUNLOP

MAMARONECK, N.Y. - The next big thing in Island water
transportation stands three decks high in the shed. The blocklike
components of her stern face a rocky harbor and the morning sun. Her
twin hulls knife their way off into darkness. The aluminum hull of the
Whaling City Express, under construction at the Derecktor Shipyard here
at the western end of Long Island Sound, will be launched tomorrow. With
her maiden arrival in Oak Bluffs on the morning of June 24, an
interesting experiment begins:

Airlines providing regional service between the Vineyard and Logan International Airport could receive relief from proposed hikes in landing and takeoff fees under a plan submitted by the Massachusetts Port Authority to federal regulators earlier this month.

The exemption program is one element of Massport's peak pricing proposal, which would raise landing fees at the Boston airport during peak hours to $150 per landing and departure.

State's Gay Marriage Day Arrives, and Vineyard Couples
Celebrate

By MANDY LOCKE

For most couples headed down the wedding aisle, this is one of those
nagging details - an errand that claims more time and attention
than a couple wants to spare.

But for Sue Dawson and Alison Shaw, it was a task to savor.

Filling out the three-page notice of intention to marry at the Oak
Bluffs town clerk's office early Monday morning, this couple knew
they were part of history in the making.

State Ruling Backs DCPCs

Barnstable Process Is Upheld; a Town-Wide District There Parallels
Those on Vineyard; Vote for Planning Homework

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

In a key environmental protection decision for both the Vineyard and
Cape Cod, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) this week threw
out a lower court ruling and upheld a townwide district of critical
planning concern (DCPC) for the town of Barnstable.

Terminal Plan Would Pave Pizza Hill

By MANDY LOCKE

The Steamship Authority's visions for a revamped Oak Bluffs
terminal may have hit a snag this week when a town official questioned
whether the planned staging area infringes on a town park.

Pizza Hill, a North Bluff bank where townspeople take a slice of pie
and watch the moon over Nantucket Sound, could be transformed into an
asphalt parking lot - just one feature of a plan presented by
Steamship Authority officials Wednesday.

Boat Line Eyes Nantucket Freight Issue

By ALEXIS TONTI

A Steamship Authority agreement with the town of Barnstable turned
into a point of contention yesterday at the monthly boat line meeting,
where Nantucket officials and residents objected adamantly to taking any
steps that would force them to run freight service between that island
and New Bedford.

North Bluff Garage Permit Is Revoked

Next, Abutter Vows to Seek Demolition; Owner Says He Will Fight the
Move; ‘Somebody's Going to Pay'

By MANDY LOCKE

The Oak Bluffs building inspector this week revoked a permit for a
controversial garage built in the North Bluff.

Following advice of town counsel, building inspector Richard Mavro
declared the structure illegal Tuesday, six months after he originally
issued a building permit, and more than a month after he ordered the
contractor to stop work on the three-story garage.

Aquinnah Incumbent Returns to Office in Close Vote Cast by Record
Turnout

By JULIA WELLS

Incumbent selectman Michael Hebert squeaked back into office this
week, beating challenger Camille Rose by just six votes in the Aquinnah
annual town election. The final count was 108-102; Mr. Hebert will begin
a third term as selectman this week.

What the Mirror Sees: Secrets of Lip Sync Prep

By CHRIS BURRELL

Christopher Brophy is a little embarrassed to say this, but by the
time he hits the stage Sunday night at the Atlantic Connection in Oak
Bluffs, he will have spent innumerable hours in front of a mirror,
riveted by the sight of his own lips.

Odds are, he isn't alone.

Eight acts have already signed up to compete in the 17th annual WMVY
and Atlantic Connection Lip Sync Contest, now just three days away.