News
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.
Health Insurance for Vineyard Towns Costs Millions; Plans Seen as Outdated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.
Energy DCPC Gains Support
Annual Town Meeting Initiative to Create Islandwide District for Energy Conservation Moves Ahead Slowly
By IAN FEIN
A first-of-its-kind initiative that would allow the Vineyard to regulate its own energy use is slowly gathering steam.
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.
Nancy Coles Hegeman Stephens, a fourth-generation East Chop seasonal resident, and for more than 50 years the Gazette's East Chop correspondent, died Jan. 14 in Charlotte, N.C. after a long illness. She was the wife of the late Page P. Stephens.