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.
The Vineyarders are off and running.
And running. And running some more.
Featuring an unrelenting rushing attack and with several key
defensive plays, including a decisive turnover with less than a minute
to play, the Vineyard football team rumbled past Carver's
Crusaders, 21-14, in their season opener Friday night in Carver.
Some of the nation's best sailors gathered for a long weekend
in Edgartown to compete for prizes in the Shields Nationals. The three
days of racing began on Thursday. Twenty-nine boats with plenty of
sailors came from all over the East Coast and from as far away as
Illinois and California.
The boats raced in all kinds of weather, from high winds to light
air. The boats have open cockpits and most of the sailors wore wet
weather gear.
As Political Season Opens, Well-Funded Campaign Targets State Senate
Seat
By CHRIS BURRELL
Yard signs are starting to sprout on Island lawns, and fundraisers
are in the offing, but the real proof that a hot race is under way for a
spot on Beacon Hill came last week: Financial disclosures revealed the
war chests and spending of candidates for the state legislature.
The message is clear.
Judge Finds No Pollution Threat at Plant
By ALEXIS TONTI
Marking one more win for the town of Edgartown in a long running
legal battle, a superior court judge this month ruled that discharge
from the municipal wastewater treatment plant does not threaten the
water quality in the Edgartown Great Pond.
