Oak Bluffs voters may soon be asked to spend $100,000 to pay for engineering work associated with an ambitious waterfront improvement project along Seaview avenue from Oak Bluffs harbor to Farm Pond.

The total cost of the project is pegged at $2.7 million.

The news come on the heels of the release of a 35-page report entitled Sea View Revitalization Concept Master Plan, drafted by a special task force created last year to develop a plan to revitalize the town beach.

The search continues this morning in Oak Bluffs harbor for the whereabouts of Michael F. Landfear, 54, of Falmouth.

Mr. Landfear was last seen Tuesday night heading out on a small rowing pram to a boat moored in the harbor. U.S. Coast Guard, state and local police, together with public safety volunteers from three Island towns searched all day yesterday without result.

The Oak Bluffs harbor is a money machine for the town, but the question facing leaders after yet another record-breaking year of revenue is whether they can squeeze more cash from the operation.

A 38-year-old man from Watertown drowned early Saturday morning after he fell off the bulkhead at Oak Bluffs harbor and into the water, according to police.

At least six deer carcasses were illegally dumped in the Oak Bluffs harbor last week, sending bacteria levels sky-high and prompting closure of the harbor to shellfishing two days later. Police have no suspects but said they are confident they will find those responsible for what one environmental official has called a hazardous waste site.

Oak Bluffs harbor had a record money-making summer. Josh Williams, the harbor marina manager, estimated income from slips and moorings were up 14 per cent over the previous year. Total income was $720,000, up some $86,000 from the summer of 2000.

Oak Bluffs harbor was the place to be. Slips and moorings were mostly full throughout the season and for the first time the town offered regular, dependable launch service that made money.