Ferry Island Home Arrives at Fairhaven; Sea Trials Planned Throughout February
By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL
The new double-ended ferry Island Home pulled into the Steamship Authority wharf in Fairhaven on Monday afternoon, a few minutes before sunset, after a seven-day trip from Pascagoula, Miss. The $32 million, 255-foot vessel\'s 2,000 mile maiden voyage to her new home was mostly uneventful.
An Island man who fell into the Edgartown harbor was saved from drowning on Sunday by a pair of unlikely heroes: a patron at the Wharf Pub who had stepped outside for a smoke, and a determined four-year-old Bouvier des Flandres named Maui.
Bouvier des Flandres is a breed of Belgian retrievers known for their intelligence and for protecting their masters, two attributes displayed aptly by Maui Sunday when he played a pivotal role in saving the life of his owner, Leonard Fogg of Edgartown.
Health Insurance for Vineyard Towns Costs Millions; Plans Seen as Outdated
By RACHEL NAVA ROHR
Two outmoded health insurance plans no longer offered by most cities and towns in Massachusetts are the cause of dramatic increases in spending on health insurance for employees in Dukes County, including five of the six Island towns and public schools.
Oak Bluffs selectmen at their regular meeting Tuesday took a hard line on how raises and bonuses should be awarded to town employees, asking town administrator Michael Dutton to involve the board in such matters in the future.
After the news surfaced last week that Mr. Dutton had approved a pay raise and change in job title for building inspector Jerry Wiener in October without the knowledge of selectmen, Mr. Dutton on Tuesday defended his actions.
On an Island well known for celebrating anniversaries of all sorts, the town of Oak Bluffs this week quietly passed a milestone with nary a mention or nod. There was no celebration in Ocean Park, no ringing of bells in town churches, and no plaques or statues were dedicated.
Faced with Denial by Board of Appeals, Developers of Katama Private Club Withdraw Application for Now
In an unexpected turn, the applicants for an upscale members-only recreational club in Katama abruptly withdrew their application at a zoning board of appeals meeting Tuesday, after two members of the board said they intended to vote against the proposal.
