Landowner Takes the Stand in Tax Case; Vision Appraisal Defends Town Position
By IAN FEIN
West Tisbury resident William W. Graham, who is challenging the town's methods for determining land values and property taxes, took the stand for the first time last week in a protracted court case that has grown costly for both sides. But in a tense day of testimony earlier in the week, a senior appraiser for the company hired by West Tisbury assessors defended the town's position.
Expert Finds Town Assessment Methods Fall Outside Norms, Skewing Land Values
By IAN FEIN
BOSTON - An expert land appraiser testified in a legal hearing last week that West Tisbury assessors damaged the integrity of the town's land values when they manipulated data on a property record that resulted in irrational increases to some assessments and property taxes.
Bakery Owner Retains Name
Judge Rules in Humphreys Case, Handing a Victory to Mr. Diaz on Rights to Name, Recipes; Civil Trial Still Possible
By IAN FEIN
Humphreys owner Joseph (Michael) Diaz may continue to use the bakery's name and recipes at his down-Island locations, a superior court judge ruled on Friday.
An overflow crowd of Chilmark voters turned out last night to approve the first-ever town-sponsored affordable housing development for this rural community whose property values rank among the highest in the commonwealth.
From Hills of Menemsha to Oak Bluffs, Hungry Caterpillars Munch Away Leaves
By IAN FEIN
They're back.
A caterpillar outbreak that left large swaths of trees completely bare of leaves last summer has returned to feast on Vineyard foliage.
Across the Island this weekend millions of tiny green winter moth inchworms - which have been munching away on oak, apple and maple leaves - dangled from branches on silky threads to announce their uninvited arrival.
West Tisbury, Chilmark Divide Deepens Over School District
By IAN FEIN
After a two-hour joint meeting called this week to discuss the status of the Up-Island Regional School District, the West Tisbury finance committee and regional school committee did not appear any closer to resolving their differences about the fate of the district.
The two boards, which have a history of emotional disputes, traded barbs during the discussion and in the end could not even agree whether the meeting was worthwhile.