News
It has been more than 40 years since the publication of the book The Archaeology of Martha’s Vineyard, which identified a long, rich history of human habitation stretching back at least 4,000 years, “on this relatively unravaged Island.”
Now, finally, the last of the Vineyard’s towns, Tisbury, is moving to find out just where that history may lie, lest it be ravaged accidentally in the future.
Tisbury is seeking $20,000 in a grant under the Community Preservation Act to map its archaeology.
The Denniston house was issued a stay of execution this week as Oak Bluffs residents and officials railed at the prospect of losing a part of Island history.
It seems, on its face, a ludicrous mismatch.
On the one side, the legal might of the United States Coast Guard and Department of the Interior, and on the other a small bunch of fishermen armed with books of raffle tickets, bags of shellfish and, reportedly, Warren Doty’s banjo.
On Tuesday night Edgartown voters will decide whether to take the first steps to withdraw from the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, marking the first time in nearly a decade for an Island town to seriously consider withdrawal from the Island’s only regional planning agency.
The article is one of six on a special town meeting warrant. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Old Whaling Church; longtime moderator Philip J. Norton Jr. will preside over the session.
The Oak Bluffs Police Department won the AAA National Gold Award, for the town’s outstanding community traffic safety education and enforcement programs.
The award was presented to officers James Morse and Christopher Wiggin at a ceremony on Nov. 9 at the annual AAA Community Traffic Safety Awards.
Police departments are recognized for five or more years without pedestrian fatalities or for taking steps to improve traffic safety and education in the community.
By REMY TUMIN
The Edgartown selectmen have asked the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission to join in a possible purchase of the Mini Park on Main street.
At the selectmen’s meeting on Monday, land bank commissioners Edith Potter and Edward W. (Peter) Vincent said although it is land bank policy not to own property in town centers, they were willing to go to bat for the town.