News
There are still a few weeks until the leaves begin to change color but this week, in the wake of tropical storm Irene many had already browned, died and made their way to the ground all around the Island. Along the trails at Wasque Reservation, what was a swaying panorama of pale green brush last Friday is now a cheerless vista of brownish-gray tinder. In town centers, trees are dropping crunchy leaves onto streets and cars, and the steady hum of leaf blowers can be heard.
The Chilmark Conservation Commission issued an emergency work certificate this week for two perilously-perched cottages on the cliffs of Stonewall Beach, fearing if they are not moved back from the edge they will fall into the ocean.
Natalie Conroy’s two small cottages on her property off State Road in Chilmark must be moved after tropical storm Irene stripped off 10 feet of cliff where the structures stand.
While tropical storm Irene did little damage inland save a good salt blasting and natural pruning of trees, the storm drastically reshaped parts of the Island’s coastline when it blew through last Sunday. At Wasque Reservation on Chappaquiddick, 22 feet of south-facing beach fell into the ocean in a 24-hour period. And around the Island conservation officials reported significant losses of beachfront and dramatically altered shorelines. Beaches that were wide ribbons of sand just last week are now nothing but rocks and boulders, and vice versa.
Dean’s List
Taylor Stone of Edgartown has been named to the dean’s list at the Savannah College of Art and Design for spring quarter 2011. Taylor is seeking a bachelor of fine arts degree in illustration.
Ry Sterling Yennie
Ry Sterling Yennie of West Tisbury earned a bachelor of science degree in business management from Babson College in Wellesley in May 2011.
After a month without a town administrator, Oak Bluffs selectmen voted Tuesday night to sign a contract with former Falmouth town manager Robert Whritenour, who will serve in an interim role. The position will last for 13 weeks or until the town finds a permanent replacement for Michael Dutton, who resigned in July.
On Tuesday selectman and board chairman Kathy Burton said she did not think the town had suffered as a result of its August stretch without an administrator and yesterday she said she welcomed the addition of Mr. Whritenour to town hall.