Planning Board approves boat storage special permit on Holmes Hole Road. Chair Mark Crossland led the board to a unanimous 5-0 vote on May 14 to grant Nt Lot 1 LLC a special permit for a 5,750-square-foot boat storage facility for fewer than five boats. Vice Chair Chris Chambers imposed strict
Finance Committee endorses water protection fund for wastewater costs. Oak Bluffs Finance and Advisory Committee unanimously voted to recommend participation in the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund, which would fund wastewater infrastructure through a 2.75 percent excise tax on lodging
Commission approves tree removal and pier repairs, defers vista work. The Oak Bluffs Conservation Commission unanimously approved removal of seven cherry trees and pruning of four oak trees at 229 Massachusetts Avenue under supervision of Richard Johnson of Vineyard Environmental, and issued a
Oak Bluffs School Committee unanimously approves $7,800 in donations, advances meal policy. The committee accepted $800 from the MV Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby for the Student Activities Fund and a $7,000 anonymous donation for the Miscellaneous Donations fund at Principal Jeremy Light's
Oak Bluffs Board of Health approves septic variance, fines service. Board members voted 2-0 to grant a local upgrade variance at 12 Anchor Way, reducing leaching capacity requirements by 0.7 percent for a four-bedroom residence. The board unanimously imposed a $300 fine on Jay's Septic Service for
Oak Bluffs assessors approve exemptions, abatements in routine April meeting. Board members Jesse B. Law, III and Joseph Sollitto voted unanimously to approve $60,175.74 in statutory exemptions generating $39,571.74 in state reimbursement for 63 applicants, along with a betterment payoff of
Oak Bluffs Zoning Reform Subcommittee discusses overhaul of three bylaws. The subcommittee discussed splitting short-term rental regulation into zoning bylaws under Planning Board control and general bylaws handled by the Select Board, designed to reduce legal vulnerability shown by lawsuits in
Conservation Commission approves invasive species restoration at Temahigan Avenue. The commission unanimously approved a five-year plan to eradicate invasive species including Phragmites, Asiatic Bittersweet, and Autumn Olive from 32 Temahigan Avenue while establishing vista corridors and restoring
Oak Bluffs Zoning Board defers two applications to May. The board voted unanimously at its April 15 meeting to continue the Bradley appeal, a request for a special permit to build a free-standing deck platform at 125 Seaview Avenue in a non-conforming R2-zoned lot. Chair Lou Rogers announced that
Harbor Advisory Committee backs ferry lease hikes, keeps boat size limit. The committee recommended fee increases for three ferry operators: Island Queen to $39,600 from $36,000 annually; Rhode Island Fast Ferry to $31,900 from $29,000; and Patriot Boat to $15,900 from $12,000. Harbor Master Emily