Government
To some, they’re a boon to the construction industry; to others, a blight on the landscape. When talk turns to whether the Martha’s Vineyard Commission should regulate so-called mega-mansions on the Island, there’s rarely middle ground, and there’s usually a crowd.
A special town meeting in West Tisbury Tuesday night pitted the town’s humans against its dogs, as voters took up the divisive question of whether to continue to allow canines at Lambert’s Cove Beach in the summer.
“I don’t even go there anymore because the smell is so overpowering,” said Karen Overtoom. “I guess you have to decide whether the beach is for the people or the dogs.”
Legislative leaders released a sweeping redistricting plan this week that will move Martha’s Vineyard to a new congressional district and prompt the Island’s current congressional delegate, Rep. William Keating, to relocate. Changes in the nation’s population according to 2010 census data are forcing Massachusetts to cut the number of districts from 10 to nine.
Hoping to put their financial problems behind them once and for all, Oak Bluffs voters agreed at a special town meeting Tuesday night to cut $303,561 from the fiscal year 2012 budget.
“We are at a crossroads and this is the night that decisions are made,” said interim town administrator Robert Whritenhour, who drew applause following a detailed 40-minute presentation on the town budget.
With an interim town administrator in place, the Oak Bluffs selectmen have turned their attention toward a permanent replacement for former administrator Michael Dutton.
Selectmen met on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the next steps. Robert Whritenhour has served for three weeks as the interim town administrator but was not present for the discussion. Selectmen said that they hope to name someone to the position by Dec. 13.
After a month without a town administrator, Oak Bluffs selectmen voted Tuesday night to sign a contract with former Falmouth town manager Robert Whritenour, who will serve in an interim role. The position will last for 13 weeks or until the town finds a permanent replacement for Michael Dutton, who resigned in July.
On Tuesday selectman and board chairman Kathy Burton said she did not think the town had suffered as a result of its August stretch without an administrator and yesterday she said she welcomed the addition of Mr. Whritenour to town hall.