In their first chance to provide input on the design for a replacement for the aging Lagoon Pond drawbridge, Vineyard residents last week sounded off on subjects ranging from aesthetics to mechanics at a public planning session held at the Tisbury Senior Center.

Property Tax Case Reveals IRS Probe

Expert Appraiser for Town Discloses Internal Revenue Service Investigation of Herring Creek Farm Transaction

By IAN FEIN

BOSTON - The expert appraiser hired by West Tisbury assessors revealed during cross-examination this week that the federal Internal Revenue Service is investigating the 2001 Herring Creek Farm real estate transaction in Edgartown and an ensuing charitable tax deduction that was based largely on his appraisal of the property.

Merchants Report August Spike in Island Tale of Two Summers

By JAMES KINSELLA

Oak Bluffs harbor reports a record July, while fewer boats appear in Edgartown. Steamship Authority passenger traffic is up a bit, while commercial airline traffic is down a little. July generally lags the same month last summer, while August seems to be running ahead.

A classic mixed economic bag appears to have landed on the Vineyard's doorstep this summer.

Tisbury Selectmen End Chief's Tenure

By MAX HART

Citing an irreconcilable dispute over compensation, the Tisbury selectmen quietly moved to not renew their contract with police chief Theodore (Ted) A. Saulnier nearly two months ago.

The board informed Chief Saulnier of the decision in a letter dated June 29, one day before his three-year contract expired.

State High Court Upholds Edgartown

By JULIA WELLS

In an Edgartown case which is esoteric but has application for small towns across the commonwealth, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that a house on an undersized lot cannot be expanded without a special permit - even if the expansion itself conforms to the requirements under zoning.

Against a backdrop of prolonged summer drought, the threat of wildfire in the Manuel F.