The Edgartown Wastewater Facility has been named the recipient of the New England Water Environment Association’s 2011 Energy Management Achievement Award for its efforts to reduce energy use in the treatment of wastewater.

Facilities manager Joe Alosso has utilized more than $300,000 in state and federal grants to fund cost-saving improvements at the treatment plant.

A long-running effort by an Aquinnah property owner to build a house on a lot off Moshup Trail was blocked by the town planning board plan review committee this week, which found the lot lacks adequate road frontage under new zoning rules adopted by the town eight months ago.

After a series of public hearings that began in October, the committee voted 7-0 on Tuesday night to deny a special permit for James Decoulos to build on the two-plus-acre property.

Citing fixed costs associated with experienced teachers and the uniqueness of the Island’s school, the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School presented its budget this week at $16.9 million, an increase of $307,300, or 1.85 per cent, over last year.

Noting that the high school is unique as the only Island school that offers a comprehensive program, principal Stephen Nixon said the school tried to cut costs where it could while maintaining “the quality of education we’re used to here.”

The Edgartown historic district commission took the first formal step Monday toward expanding the town’s historic district.

At their regular meeting, the selectmen approved the commission’s request to begin drawing up new boundaries for the oddly shaped district that leaves parts of downtown Edgartown outside of its boundaries.

The district should be “more concise,” James Cisek, chairman of the commission, told the board.