The headache of parking in downtown Edgartown could ease next summer if the town police chief has his way.

Chief Antone Bettencourt told the Edgartown selectmen on Monday that he would like to see two-hour parking limits enforced in the four town-owned lots downtown, but eliminated on the main and side streets.

MVCS Board Grows

Martha’s Vineyard Community Services has added five new members to its board of directors, the Island’s oldest social service agency announced this week.

Spending on a real estate appraisal for the Capt. Warren House and converting the silos at Katama Farm into wireless towers are among the decisions that will confront Edgartown voters at a special town meeting on Tuesday night.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Old Whaling Church. Moderator Philip J. Norton Jr. will preside over the 15-article warrant.

Cultural Grants

Cape and Islands Rep. Timothy R. Madden has announced grants totaling $38,220 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for schools and communities on Martha’s Vineyard.

Local recipients include the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society ($3,000), the Silver Screen Film Society Inc. of Vineyard Haven ($2,500), The Vineyard Playhouse ($4,500), The Yard ($5,000), and The Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council ($23,220).

Steamship Authority governors agreed this week to transfer a lease the boat line holds on four acres at the airport business park to the county, which is eyeing the property for a possible renewable energy project.

The 20-year lease from the airport, SSA general counsel Steven Sayers said costs $30,000 a year, expires in 2019 with an option to renew for a further 20 years.

Discussion about the transfer took place at the monthly SSA meeting held in Oak Bluffs on Tuesday.

Trick-or-treaters will find their route to candy a bit more safe this Halloween, as Tisbury selectmen approved a proposal by the town police department to block off parts of William street to traffic on the night of Oct. 31.

A self-described “eel slinger” who had won the derby twice before and an avid angler from Carver were the grand winners in this year’s 66th annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby which came to a close last weekend.

More than 100 fishermen received awards at a joyfully raucous ceremony Sunday night at Nectar’s. But it was Stephen C. Morris and Richard A. Penney who took home the two top prizes.

Striped bass were scarce at this year's derby, following a trend in recent years, but Vineyard fishermen may have reason for optimism after two major stock assessments have shown a record or near-record number of spawning fish in the Chesapeake Bay.

Hurricane Irene might have missed the Island but it still managed to be felt in town coffers. On Tuesday Oak Bluffs town administrator Robert Whritenhour reported that harbor receipts were down $41,000 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, which began in July.

A longtime member of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission moved last night to reconsider the vote on the roundabout.

“This is going to be our last opportunity to reconsider this decision,” said Leonard Jason Jr. “We have a chance, in my mind, to put the bullet back in the gun.” The comments came at the regular commission meeting last evening.

The commission voted narrowly two weeks ago to approve the controversial traffic improvement for the blinker intersection in Oak Bluffs. The vote was 7-6. Mr. Jason was a vocal opponent.