School Budget Talks Highlight Steady Rise in Cost of Education

By RACHEL KOVAC

The merits of forming a single regional school district came to the forefront of an all-Island school committee meeting this week, as an increase in the budget for the Vineyard schools superintendent prompted discussion once again about ways to manage rising costs in education.

West Tisbury Voters Veto Legal Bills in Tax Case, Reject Town Hall Funds

By IAN FEIN

An overflow crowd of West Tisbury voters this week delivered a stinging mandate to town officials, rejecting a $1.8 million cost overrun on the town hall renovation project and $250,000 in legal bills for the ongoing tax case between town assessors and resident William W. Graham.

The special town meeting on Wednesday night saw a record turnout of 288 voters, more than attended the annual town meeting in April.

Meeting in West Tisbury Marks Town Turning Point

By IAN FEIN

West Tisbury voters will gather next Wednesday night for what could mark a turning point in the rural town where landowners pay the highest average property tax bills in the region.

Island Veteran Reflects on Meaning of Holiday

As the Vineyard joins the rest of the country this morning in observance of Veterans' Day, Curtis S. Jones of Vineyard Haven will stand quietly on the sidelines and watch the parade in Oak Bluffs. Mr. Jones is a retired lieutenant colonel in the United States Army. The 88-year-old veteran served his country in Europe for three years during World War II and spent 26 months in a German prisoner of war camp in Poland. The camp was called OFLAG 64.

Finance Committee Assails Legal Bills

Board Reverses Position Before Meeting, Deciding to Recommend Against Payment to Lawyer in Tax Case

By IAN FEIN

West Tisbury town officials this week brought mounting assessors' legal bills under intense scrutiny during a flurry of last-minute meetings before the Nov. 16 special town meeting where voters will be asked to approve more than a quarter-million dollars in legal expenses.

Library Group Tries Fresh Tack, but Is Rebuffed by Selectmen

By RACHEL KOVAC

The Edgartown library expansion project took another turn this week when a joint advisory committee reviewing the $11.5 million project asked the town selectmen for $35,000 to study the possibility of converting the old elementary school to a library.

The proposal, which is not supported by library trustees, was quickly shot down by selectmen.