Oak Bluffs officials stood in a semi-circle on Monday, shovels ready, to mark the beginning of a major construction project. They faced a gray structure that’s been home to the fire department since 1973, but will soon be razed to make way for a new station.

The Edgartown National Bank was awarded the coveted rank of “outstanding” under the Community Reinvestment Act, a rare achievement for an Island bank. Loans and other assistance to affordable housing groups helped to boost the ranking.

Sand mining was the talk of the town in at least four Island communities this week, as officials lined up on both sides of whether to support dredging for sand in waters off the Vineyard.

Oak Bluffs EMTs and paramedics will now add firefighting work to their regular duties. The change is part of an effort to consolidate the town’s firefighting and ambulance forces. Volunteer firefighters will continue to assist in the event of a large fire or accident.

Islanders who have trouble getting their cars off-Island in the early fall will see some relief next year. Steamship Authority governors agreed this week to modify the fall schedule for earlier trips out of Vineyard Haven.

The board reviewed three requests for shade tree removal at their meeting Monday, including on South Summer street. In Edgartown, trees that stand within a public way cannot be removed without a hearing in front of the selectmen.