A special town meeting in West Tisbury Tuesday night pitted the town’s humans against its dogs, as voters took up the divisive question of whether to continue to allow canines at Lambert’s Cove Beach in the summer.

“I don’t even go there anymore because the smell is so overpowering,” said Karen Overtoom. “I guess you have to decide whether the beach is for the people or the dogs.”

Oak Bluffs selectmen voted Tuesday night to turn part of narrow Dukes County avenue into a one-way road. Selectmen said the decision was motivated by concerns over safety and lack of parking.

The change will likely take effect before the start of December and is intended only as a temporary measure pending further study.

Construction for a solar array at Katama Farm is set to begin this winter, now that the Edgartown planning board approved a special permit for the project this week, clearing the last hurdle for what will be the Island’s largest installation of photovoltaic panels.

The town of Aquinnah awarded a bid to Vineyard Power this week to build a solar array at the town landfill, marking the first major project for the Island energy cooperative.

Pending approval from town counsel, the selectmen signed a preliminary agreement at their meeting Tuesday to place about 200 panels at the town landfill. The 50-kilowatt system will produce up to 60,000 kilowatt hours a year, which is equivalent to about 10 to 12 houses. The panels will produce enough electricity to power the town buildings.

I have often wondered what a town meeting would be like if the purpose was to educate the voters so that we can make good decisions. Now, after the Oak Bluffs special town meeting held on Nov. 8, I know.

There were 10 articles before us, the most important of which was number two — a budget reduction in the amount of $303,861. Given an overall town budget of $25.3 million, it seemed a small thing. But it was a teachable event and Bob Whritenour, our interim town administrator, took the best possible advantage of it.

Chappy’s Desire

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Nature is the best therapy I know. Land conservation enables us to experience nature. I have had the good fortune to explore much of the remote wilderness in the western U.S. I spent time floating down rivers in Utah and Colorado, climbing mountaintops and hiking lonely desert canyons, many in which I found myself startled to hear only the sound of my breathing. These experiences have reminded me of my frailty as a human and encouraged me to acknowledge my strengths.

On Sunday, Nov. 13, there was a gathering at the Aquinnah town hall to thank Walter Delaney for his 17 years of service as the town’s fire chief. Fire chiefs and public safety officials from the various Island towns were present, as was tribal chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais and numerous town officials and residents. Letters of appreciation were read from members of the legislature and Congressman Keating.

I am very saddened to hear that the Island schools have discontinued the Fourth Grade Theatre Project. Writing, producing and performing the play was the absolute highlight of my daughter’s time at the Tisbury School. The memory of Justine Cassell’s Seagull that year still makes me smile.

After reading an article about the Vineyard Playhouse’s Fourth Grade Theatre Project going dark after 17 years, I was struck by how none of the news about this sea change in the schools has expressed what has actually ended on the Island.