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.
It is a game played by old men and young boys, by professionals and amateurs alike, at the dawn of spring and at the coming of winter. On the Vineyard, the game of baseball has been played by farmers, sailors, fishermen and businessmen, in Menemsha meadows and makeshift diamonds at Waban Park in Oak Bluffs, Toomey Field in Chilmark and Veterans Park in Tisbury.
As the weather warms, so do high school athletics, and several teams surged out of the gate early this spring, including girls’ lacrosse, girls’ softball, baseball and the ever-steady track team.
Girls’ Lacrosse
In a repeat of sorts of a hotly contested race three years ago for West Tisbury assessor, longtime incumbent Michael Colaneri will face once again a challenge from Jonathan Revere in next week’s annual town election. Voters also will choose between Tara J. Whiting and Jemima James to replace outgoing town clerk Prudence Whiting, who is retiring after 12 years.
In the only other contested race, four candidates — Sarah Carr, Harvey Garneau, Melissa Hackney and Isaac Russell — are contesting two three-year terms on the library board of trustees.
The Oak Bluffs annual town election is active this year with four key contests. Five candidates are running for two seats on the board of selectmen; three candidates are running for one seat on the school committee; two candidates are running for a seat on the water commission; and two candidates are competing for town moderator.
The election is next Thursday at the town public library. Polling hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
A new wind turbine bylaw, a zoning change that would permit multi-family housing and special protection for historic byways top the 45-article warrant for the West Tisbury annual town meeting next week.
And voters will consider a $13 million operating budget that is custom tailored for debate over a proposed 3.6 per cent cost of living increase for town employees. The town personnel board backs the 3.6 per cent increase, but the finance committee and selectmen want it reduced to two per cent.
