Town, Tribe Agreement Stalls at Special Meeting; Future Remains in Doubt

By IAN FEIN

A land use agreement negotiated by town and tribal leaders this spring is now in a state of limbo, after Aquinnah voters at a special town meeting on Tuesday decided to put the untested venture on hold.

The first time Carlos Montoya came to the Vineyard, he took a ride up-Island and turned onto Moshup Trail - the unmistakable three-mile length of road that hugs the western edge of the Island.

"Oh my god," Mr. Montoya said this month, recalling his impression from that 1970 visit. "It was unbelievable."

Now a 10-year resident of Moshup Trail, he characterizes it as the single most important stretch of land in Aquinnah. "It is simply one of the most magical places," Mr. Montoya said.

While high rates of Lyme disease and depression have long been documented among Vineyard residents, a new report indicates that the two may possibly be linked.

Guarding the Flanks of Conservation

By IAN FEIN

From her hilltop home in Seven Gates Farm in West Tisbury, Elizabeth (Tess) Bramhall can tell the month of the year by where the sun sets on the horizon.

"In December it goes down just to the left of the Gay Head Lighthouse, and we lose it for two weeks in June when it goes all the way north," she said, looking out over a panoramic view of Vineyard Sound.

Marking a potentially historic moment for town-tribal relations, Aquinnah voters next week will decide whether to adopt an untested land use agreem

Building Plan Comes to MVC

Commission Pledges to Expedite Hearing on Kennebec Proposal; Developer Requests Leniency on Project Restrictions

By IAN FEIN

An Oak Bluffs building owner made his case to the Martha's Vineyard Commission last week that the regional planning agency should not impose any restrictions on the three-story structure that is nearing completion on Kennebec avenue.