The towns of Edgartown and Tisbury were born as part of New York Colony, fraternal twins that on Thursday this week celebrated their sesquarcentennial anniversaries.
When voters gather within the newly painted walls of the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown next Tuesday, they will take on a town meeting warrant with 66 articles and a $30.7 million town budget.
Edgartown’s tax rate will increase slightly in 2014, with the town selectmen this week approving a tax rate of $3.70 for every $1,000 worth of property.
Changes have been approved to an agreement between the town and the Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative Inc. (CVEC) to create solar arrays on town-owned parcels of land. The projects are expected to save the town millions in electricity costs down the road.
Renovations began this week on the Edgartown town hall, closing part of the town hall parking lot and one of the entrances to the building.
Edgartown procurement officer Jen O’Hanlon said that the repairs are expected to last until January. The work includes putting a new roof on the building, as well as painting and other small repairs.
The Massachusetts Attorney General has approved a new Edgartown bylaw that will require minimum maintenance on buildings in the town historic district.
Last April Edgartown town meeting approved the new bylaw, which will require owners of buildings in the historic district to “keep such buildings from falling into a state of poor repair.” This applies to the exterior of buildings or interior portions of buildings that, if not adequately maintained, will affect the exterior.
Violators are subject to a fine of $300 per day.
The town hall will get a facelift and Chappaquiddick a new fire truck as the Edgartown board of selectmen Monday approved bids for both projects during a brief meeting.
The town awarded a $540,000 bid to renovate the exterior of town hall to the Paul J. Rogan Company Inc. of Braintree. It was the sole bid the town received. The project, which will use Community Preservation Act funds, was approved by town meeting.
