Eight candidates, including six incumbents, are running for seven seats on the Dukes County Commission this year. In advance of the election, the Gazette emailed questions to all the candidates.

Vineyard voters will go to the polls Tuesday to cast ballots in the much-anticipated mid-term election. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in every Island town.

There are no contested seats this year on the MVC, with nine incumbents running for nine seats. Founded in 1974, the commission is a unique regional planning agency.

Amid mounting concerns about its structural integrity, the historic steeple that stands above the Tisbury town hall will be removed. Town facilities manager Kirk Metell said the project is expected to begin Dec. 1.

The Vineyard Haven side of Lagoon Pond will be closed to all bay scalloping beginning Monday, Nov. 5., to protect a large crop of juvenile scallops, the town shellfish constable said Wednesday morning.

The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank bank added 400 feet of white sand beachfront to its holdings in Vineyard Haven Friday with the purchase of a five-acre parcel near the mouth of Lake Tashmoo.