Report Conveys Duality in State of Housing Crisis

By James Kinsella
Gazette Senior Writer

Market forces continue to outpace efforts on the Vineyard to create affordable rental and permanent housing.

Further, housing advocates say that while some people who could not find housing in 2001 may have left the Vineyard, those who stayed likely have watched the gap widen between the wages they earn and the houses they hope to buy.

In recent years, 35 Jamaicans have made their way north at the start of each summer season to work at the Harbor View Hotel and the Kelley House in

Boat Line Terminal in Oak Bluffs Awaits Redesign and Overhaul

By JAMES KINSELLA
Gazette Senior Writer

Revised plans for reconstruction of the Steamship Authority terminal in Oak Bluffs were presented to the town's board of selectmen Tuesday.

Steve Cecil of the Cecil Group, one of the designers of the project, said the intent of the proposed reconstruction is to lessen congestion, improve safety, and enhance the appearance of the terminal. The project would cost $10 million, down from the prior estimated cost of about $13 million.

SSA Votes for Hyannis Fast Ferry; Year-Round Service Starts in May

By JAMES KINSELLA
Gazette Senior Writer

Year-round fast ferry service to and from Hyannis is coming to Oak Bluffs.

The Steamship Authority board of governors yesterday voted 4-0 to approve the proposal by Hy-Line Cruises Inc. of Hyannis to offer the service. New Bedford member David Oliveira was absent.

Penalties, Deadlines Loom Over Builder

By JAMES KINSELLA

Gene Erez was in a hurry to renovate 45 Circuit avenue in Oak Bluffs so that the building would be ready for the summer season.

But the Oak Bluffs builder, who ended up demolishing the historic structure without a permit, may be running out of time.

Mr. Erez still is trying to move as quickly as possible to get the necessary permits in hand and start building a structure that will largely replicate the former Army Barracks building, originally constructed in the 1870s.

Police, Library Costs Jump in Oak Bluffs

By JAMES KINSELLA

For the third year in a row, Oak Bluffs voters will be presented with an annual town operating budget that does not require an override.

And for the first year ever, town voters also will be asked to approve a budget that breaks the $20 million mark.

Avoiding an override took some work on the part of the town finance committee, which sliced $450,000 from town department requests in its budget review.