Housing Bank Legislation Open for Review at Public Forum in Tisbury
Senior Center

By BRIEN HEFLER

The Martha's Vineyard Community Housing Bank Coalition will
hold a public forum to discuss and review draft legislation for the
proposed Martha's Vineyard Housing Bank tonight at the Tisbury
senior center from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Commission Peppers Architect with New Hospital Questions

By JAMES KINSELLA
Gazette Senior Writer

Members of the Martha's Vineyard Commission last week raised
serious doubts about the wisdom of expanding the Martha's Vineyard
Hospital at its current Oak Bluffs site.

Hospital architects came before the commission Thursday night to
give an informal presentation on proposed building plans, and were
rocked by a series of questions and comments challenging assumptions
underlying the $42 million building project.

In their first chance to provide input on the design for a
replacement for the aging Lagoon Pond drawbridge, Vineyard residents
last week sounded off on subjects ranging from aesthetics to mechanics
at a public planning session held at the Tisbury Senior Center.

Property Tax Case Reveals IRS Probe

Expert Appraiser for Town Discloses Internal Revenue Service
Investigation of Herring Creek Farm Transaction

By IAN FEIN

BOSTON - The expert appraiser hired by West Tisbury assessors
revealed during cross-examination this week that the federal Internal
Revenue Service is investigating the 2001 Herring Creek Farm real estate
transaction in Edgartown and an ensuing charitable tax deduction that
was based largely on his appraisal of the property.

The Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust confirmed yesterday that it will buy the Old Sculpin Gallery - the landmark building that fronts Dock street in Edgartown and was a grain mill turned boat building shop turned art gallery and education space.

The trust will pay the Martha's Vineyard Art Association $1 for the property, and in exchange the art association will receive permanent occupancy.

Christopher Scott, executive director of the preservation trust, said yesterday that he expects the deal will close sometime this fall.

The Nature Conservancy called it a globally rare community type.

The Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program
said it is one of the most critical habitats to protect in all of New
England.

Many Island residents know it best as a secret late-night
skinny-dipping spot.

Against a backdrop of prolonged summer drought, the threat of wildfire in the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest is now high, and Island fire chiefs this week issued grave words of caution to the public.

State High Court Upholds Edgartown

By JULIA WELLS

In an Edgartown case which is esoteric but has application for small
towns across the commonwealth, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
has ruled that a house on an undersized lot cannot be expanded without a
special permit - even if the expansion itself conforms to the
requirements under zoning.

Tisbury Selectmen End Chief's Tenure

By MAX HART

Citing an irreconcilable dispute over compensation, the Tisbury
selectmen quietly moved to not renew their contract with police chief
Theodore (Ted) A. Saulnier nearly two months ago.

The board informed Chief Saulnier of the decision in a letter dated
June 29, one day before his three-year contract expired.

Merchants Report August Spike in Island Tale of Two Summers

By JAMES KINSELLA

Oak Bluffs harbor reports a record July, while fewer boats appear in
Edgartown. Steamship Authority passenger traffic is up a bit, while
commercial airline traffic is down a little. July generally lags the
same month last summer, while August seems to be running ahead.

A classic mixed economic bag appears to have landed on the
Vineyard's doorstep this summer.