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.
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.
Neighbors and Residents Lambaste Draft Plan for Old House Pond
By IAN FEIN
Martha's Vineyard Land Bank officials came under fire this week for their draft plan for Ice House Pond Preserve and the methods by which they obtained the property.
Refuse District Quells Turmoil
Board Decides Not to Privatize, Narrows the List of Candidates for Hiring Next Manager of Regional Operation
By IAN FEIN
After a long dispute about the future of the Island's four-town regional refuse district, board members said yesterday that they expect to hire a new manager by the end of the month.
Chilmark Plan Draws Scrutiny
Selectmen Affirm Commitment to Middle Line Road Proposal; Resident Comment Continues on Details of Project Design
By IAN FEIN
There are no affordable housing roadblocks in Chilmark, town officials declared this week.
West Tisbury Finance Committee Turns Up Heat on Schools, Police
By IAN FEIN
Wielding some political clout last week, the West Tisbury finance committee assailed both the school budget and a selectmen's plan for purchasing real estate.
The move sent town officials scrambling to address the finance committee's concerns prior to next month's annual town meeting.