State Ruling Backs DCPCs

Barnstable Process Is Upheld; a Town-Wide District There Parallels Those on Vineyard; Vote for Planning Homework

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

In a key environmental protection decision for both the Vineyard and Cape Cod, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) this week threw out a lower court ruling and upheld a townwide district of critical planning concern (DCPC) for the town of Barnstable.

Aquinnah Incumbent Returns to Office in Close Vote Cast by Record Turnout

By JULIA WELLS

Incumbent selectman Michael Hebert squeaked back into office this week, beating challenger Camille Rose by just six votes in the Aquinnah annual town election. The final count was 108-102; Mr. Hebert will begin a third term as selectman this week.

Years of Talks Pay Off in 62-Acre Conservation Gift Along Middle Road

By JULIA WELLS

A wide swath of rolling farmland and wooded hillside that includes a high ridge perched above the scenic Middle Road in Chilmark and West Tisbury will remain forever wild, thanks to an unusual conservation gift from Virginia Crowell Jones and Everett Noteman Jones to The Nature Conservancy and the Vineyard Conservation Society, the Gazette has learned.

Aquinnah Voters Face Financial Questions And a Choice for Selectman in Elections

By JULIA WELLS

Money is the main theme in Aquinnah next week when voters will take up the question of how much to spend, or more correctly, how much to overspend when it comes to the state-mandated tax cap.

The annual town meeting gets under way on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the historic Aquinnah town hall. Moderator Walter E. Delaney will preside over the session.

Hospital Leaders Revisit Building Plans

By JULIA WELLS

The plan has changed and the $50 million price tag is heading south — how far south, it's too early to say.

But leaders at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital confirmed this week that they have taken a fresh tack in their quest to replace the decrepit Island hospital with a new building.

"We said it's time to take a deep breath and rethink a few things," said Tim Sweet, who is vice president of the hospital board of trustees.

Nine months ago hospital trustees announced their

Boatline CEO Looks Ahead

By JULIA WELLS

Steamship Authority chief executive officer Fred Raskin said this week that reports of his impending resignation are premature, although he did admit that the decision is now at hand: Will he stay in the top post at the boat line that he stepped into barely two years ago, or leave?

"I haven't made a final decision, although I think I will shortly and I'll talk to the board about it before I make a final decision," Mr.