The Tisbury selectmen are pursuing an effort to bring the town department of public works under their control, saying they believe it will better streamline management.

For the past year, the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, along with Scott Lindell of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, have been quietly working on a project to breed golden mussels as a distinctive Vineyard product.

The Edgartown library is losing access to an adjoining parking lot next week, when renovations begin at a historic house next door. Starting Monday, patrons and staff will have to park their cars on North Water street or in other public parking spaces.

Federal officials warn mariners that North Atlantic right whales have been spotted in the ocean south of the Vineyard, and a voluntary vessel restriction zone has been temporarily put in place to protect the endangered mammals.

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association said 10 right whales were spotted south of the two Islands on Feb. 24.

Frigid temperatures and snow cover have put Island birds to the test this winter. Many species are getting by with the help of bird feeders. The barn owl population has been especially hard-hit.