Finance, School Boards Face Off Over Budget; District Fate Uncertain

By IAN FEIN

Emotions ran high and arrows flew this week at a joint meeting between the Up-Island Regional School Committee and the West Tisbury finance committee, ostensibly called to find a meeting of the minds on budgetary matters as the annual town meeting season gets under way.

But hanging in the air was the unspoken issue of the fate of the small regional school district.

Finance, School Boards Face Off Over Budget; District Fate Uncertain

By IAN FEIN

Emotions ran high and arrows flew this week at a joint meeting between the Up-Island Regional School Committee and the West Tisbury finance committee, ostensibly called to find a meeting of the minds on budgetary matters as the annual town meeting season gets under way.

But hanging in the air was the unspoken issue of the fate of the small regional school district.

Disgruntled Worker Accused of Cutting Adelphia Cable

By JAMES KINSELLA

A former Adelphia service technician has been accused of sabotaging company property last Saturday, cutting more than 4,000 Vineyard residents off from cable television service for about 30 hours.

Michael F. Kemly, 47, of Herring Creek Road in Edgartown, was charged Monday in Edgartown district court with 11 felony counts of malicious destruction of property worth more than $250, and of larceny of more than $250.

Three Annual Town Meetings Open Tuesday:
West Tisbury

By IAN FEIN

West Tisbury voters will decide next week whether they want to spend $655,000 to purchase a private home in North Tisbury for use as a temporary town hall and, possibly, the future police station.

The home, on the corner of State and Old Stage roads, is expected to be the center of debate at the annual town meeting Tuesday night. Town moderator F. Patrick Gregory will open the 37-article warrant at 7 p.m. in the West Tisbury School.

Three Annual Town Meetings Open Tuesday:
Oak Bluffs

By JAMES KINSELLA

A proposal to fund the design of a new town hall tops the warrant facing Oak Bluffs voters next Tuesday.

Additional issues to come before the town meeting include a $20.3 million budget for the pending fiscal year, the expenditure of $94,000 in ferry embarkation fee revenue, and adding the North Bluff to the Cottage City historic district.

Restoration of Spring Building Earns Vineyard Haven Support

By ALEXIS TONTI

Tisbury voters dispatched with special town meeting in one hour Tuesday night, endorsing the creation of a town dog park, the restoration of the historic Tashmoo Spring building and the development of a comprehensive energy plan for the Island.