The main theme will be spending as Tisbury convenes for town meetings tonight, with the town facing its first general override in 20 years.

A large public-private improvement project at Squibnocket beach was rejected by a slim margin at the annual town meeting Monday night; instead the majority favored studying alternatives for the beach.

In Chilmark Squibnocket beach is expected to dominate discussion when voters gather for their annual town meeting tonight. In Tisbury tomorrow night the main theme is spending, with the town facing its first general override in 20 years.

Fees are going up for over-sand vehicle permits, as the Trustees of Reservations work to enhance stewardship and generate more revenue for the fragile barrier beach. The county commission approved hikes to annual permits, but held off on approval for daily pass increases.

The controversial improvement project for Squibnocket beach is the talk of the town and comes to a vote Monday night in the Chilmark Community Center. Moderator Everett Poole said he will give a free rein to debate.

As a long public review of the Stop & Shop expansion winds down before the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, opposition to the project has begun to heat up. An Island citizens group is circulating an online petition and organizing a letter-writing campaign to the MVC.