American Tower Corporation, the company that wants to build a distributed antenna system (DAS) to improve cell phone coverage in the three up-Island towns, has dramatically changed its proposal following an emotional public hearing earlier this month during which residents raised concerns about aesthetics, finances and health, a company spokesman said yesterday.
Things are looking bright for many Vineyard high school athletic teams early in this spring sports season. There were fewer games and matches this week due to April vacation.
Girls’ Lacrosse
The team led by coach Betsy Dripps continued its dominance last Thursday with a 13-3 drubbing of Fairhaven on the road. With the win, the Vineyarders remained undefeated and moved to 6-0 on the season.
A project to convert the old Oak Bluffs library on lower Circuit avenue into a mixed-used building with affordable housing and a new pharmacy has become increasingly mired in confusion, as questions surface over management of the project and whether it should have been referred to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission for review as a development of regional impact (DRI).
The library project has received more than $800,000 in funding from a large state grant and a series of allotments from the town Community Preservation Act fund.
In a two-night annual town meeting, Oak Bluffs voters ratified a town budget of $24.1 million, approved a $500,000 dredge for Sengekontacket Pond and rejected a move to cut money from the schools.
Voters were in a generous mood overall, giving thumbs-up to $770,000 in Community Preservation Act projects, substantial pay raises for the town clerk and town administrator, and a three per cent raise to most town employees. They also approved a new animal control bylaw and a trust fund to provide affordable housing for low-income families.
Incumbent Gregory A. Coogan and challenger Kathleen A. Burton emerged yesterday as winners in a crowded race for two open seats on the Oak Bluffs board of selectmen, while longtime moderator David E. Richardson fended off challenger Jesse (Jack) Law 3rd to hold onto his seat for another year.
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission last Thursday approved Donald Muckerheide’s plan to build a 12-unit condominium complex on Dukes County avenue in Oak Bluffs. The commission voted 8-1 to approve the project as a development of regional impact (DRI), with Andrew Woodruff casting the lone dissenting vote.
