Tax Board Chairman Hangs on to Position

Anne Foley Is Under Pressure to Resign Amid Maneuvers on Beacon Hill, but Will Stay on Graham Case

By IAN FEIN

The chairman of the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board survived an attempted political coup in recent days and it now appears she will remain in office long enough to rule on a personal property tax case of importance not only to the Vineyard but possibly to the entire commonwealth.

Edgartown Convenes on Tuesday

By JAMES KINSELLA

Proposals including emergency repairs to the Edgartown public library, the construction of a public well, a change in quorum requirements and a 4.1 per cent increase in the operating budget will come before Edgartown voters Tuesday at the annual town meeting.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Whaling Church on Main street. Philip J. Norton Jr. will moderate the meeting.

The meeting warrant contains 69 articles, most of which concern spending requests.

Closing a chapter in the landmark sovereignty case, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) this week agreed to submit town permit applications for the shed and pier it built on Menemsha Pond in 2001.

The announcement comes at a time of renewed cooperation and communication between the town and tribe, and marks a significant moment in the long-running case that has garnered widespread attention and reached the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

Beacon Hill Politics Endanger Outcome in Tax Case Dispute

By IAN FEIN

In a rush of political maneuvering that played out on Beacon Hill this week, the chairman of the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board on Monday withdrew her name from consideration only two days before a scheduled hearing on her reappointment to the post.

The uncertain fate of the chairman complicates the outcome of the West Tisbury-Graham property tax case and raises the possibility that it may have to be retried.

Attorneys Trade Charges in Graham Property Case; Closing Legal Briefs Filed

By IAN FEIN

In closing briefs filed at the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board this week, attorneys for West Tisbury resident William W. Graham argued that flaws and errors by town assessors warranted hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax relief, while the town's attorney countered that Mr. Graham never proved that the values placed on his property were wrong.

This year's race for the Oak Bluffs board of selectmen matches two veteran leaders against two challengers relatively new to the political arena.

Both the incumbents have long ties to the community and have served on a number of town boards and commissions.

Gregory Coogan is a longtime teacher seeking his second term as selectman.