Four of the six Island towns will take the first steps next week in deciding the pivotal question of whether to ask the state legislature to allow creation of a Martha’s Vineyard Housing Bank.
After two seasons of disruption caused by Covid-19, annual town meetings are beginning to return to their normal spring schedule in 2022.
Every Island town appears poised to reschedule its annual town meeting until May or later. Town elections will be held on the usual dates.
Island towns are busy preparing for an annual town meeting season unlike any other, putting up massive tents, paring down warrants and looking to pass historically austere budgets.
Faced with the prospect of declining revenues and tax shortfalls, Island towns are putting long-term capital projects on hold and giving up salary increases nearly across the board.
All Martha’s Vineyard towns have postponed their annual town meetings and elections this year. Rescheduled dates are tentative, town administrators said, and subject to change.
Oak Bluffs, annual town meeting May 12, annual town election May 14.