Following months of negotiations and an hour-long executive session on Tuesday night, Chilmark selectmen announced a plan to purchase a .72 acre lot off Tabor House Road. The purchase will allow the town to go forward with plans to build the Middle Line Road affordable housing project.

According to the plan, which is subject to approval from voters, the town will buy the lot from Beverly Gillis Jaksa for $275,000. The purchase will allow the town to create a new access road to the affordable housing project from Tabor House Road.

The town of West Tisbury has filed a lawsuit against a mainland subprime mortgage company that loaned more than half a million dollars to an affordable homesite owner in town who had no ability to repay — and then foreclosed on the property.

The lawsuit charges Saxon Mortgage Services Inc., a Texas-based lending institution, and Fremont Investment and Loan of southern California, with unfair, deceptive and predatory lending practices.

New home construction costs on the Island could increase more than 10 per cent as a result of new state building codes requiring one and two-story buildings to withstand winds of 110 miles per hour beginning Jan. 1.

For some prospective home owners and builders, the changes have already blown away their plans.

Tisbury building inspector Kenneth Barwick said he already has heard from home builders on a budget.

As of this week, Chilmark has taken a step to make its affordable housing more accessible.

In their regular meeting Tuesday night, Chilmark selectmen unanimously voted to adopt new implementation guidelines created by the Chilmark housing committee for homesite and rental properties in the town.

The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank has joined forces with the Island Affordable Housing Trust to buy 22.5 acres off State Road in West Tisbury for the combined purpose of conservation and affordable housing.

The property, which is near the intersection of Old County Road on the south side of State Road, was formerly owned by the late Eleanor Bennett. The seller is Molly Belle Bennett, Mrs. Bennett’s daughter and the executor of her estate.

Realtor Advances

Lynn Buder of Coldwell Bank Landmarks Real Estate in Vineyard Haven recently received the designation of graduate realtor institute from the Massachusetts Association of Realtors. The designation signifies 90 hours of advanced, in-class real estate education.