Martha's Vineyard Town Meeting Previews

Martha’s Vineyard towns are holding their annual and special meetings mostly this month. Here is a rundown of warrant articles that address issues of interest to REALTORS®. CCIAOR is actively monitoring key issues that will impact the local Vineyard market areas and may impact your business and your clients. If you have questions on any towns’ individual warrants or articles, please contact Scott Lajoie.

West Tisbury

April 11 at 6 pm

West Tisbury School, Old County Road

For the warrant, go here.

Article 30:
$70,000 (10% of estimated FY 2024 Community Preservation Fund revenues) to the Community Housing reserve.

Article 31:
$50,000 to the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority to support the rental assistance program for West Tisbury residents.

Article 33:
$80,000 to Harbor Homes of Martha’s Vineyard for the Permanent Supportive Housing project for residents who may need medication supervision.

Article 34:
$208,995 to pay down principal and interest to retire the Scotts Grove affordable housing development debt.

Article 50:
Citizens Petition Prohibits noise from non-public, outdoor construction and landscaping activity at any hour on Sundays and legal holidays (not supported by town boards).

Edgartown
April 11 at 7 pm
Old Whaling Church, 89 Main Street
For the warrant, go here.

Special Town Meeting

Article 7:
Transfers the $76,401 balance of Fund #8005 to the Edgartown Affordable Housing Trust Fund to be used for the purposes of low and moderate income housing.

Article 14:
Amends the Edgartown Zoning Bylaw, Article VII, to remain in compliance with state and Federal regulations and allow for the town to participate in the National Flood Insurance Plan.

Annual Town Meeting

Article 6:
Appropriates $140,000 from the Community Preservation Fund to the Community Preservation Affordable Housing Reserve Fund.

Article 8:
$118,000 from the Community Preservation Affordable Housing Fund to fund the Rental Assistance Program.

Article 9:
$203,000 to fund the PALS program through The Resource Inc. (TRI), which will provide interest-free loans to Edgartown families earning less than 100% median income to fund emergency needed structural home repairs.

Article 28:
$75,000 to fund a comprehensive review and update of the Town Zoning Bylaws to include identifying possible changes to assist in adaptation towards anticipated climate change.

Article 35:
$19,735 to support the Homelessness Prevention Programs

Article 71:
Authorizes the Wastewater Commission to enter into a contract with a qualified vendor for Wastewater Plant sludge disposal.

Article 79:
Citizens Petition New bylaw amendments to Outdoor Lighting in order to preserve and maintain the traditional character of Edgartown, including the unique quality of the nighttime sky by limiting light pollution.

Oak Bluffs
April 11 at 7 pm
Martha’s Vineyard High School Performing Arts Center, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs
For the warrant, go here.

Special Town Meeting

Article 5:
$55,000 to fund a pilot workforce housing assistance program to increase year-round rental housing in Oak Bluffs.

Article 6:
$100,000 from Free Cash for the purpose of replenishing the Oak Bluffs Municipal Housing Trust reserves.

Annual Town Meeting

Articles 3-6:
Funds various wastewater initiatives.

Articles 7-8:
Appropriates Community Preservation Committee reserves and funds CPC projects.

Chilmark
April 24 at 7 pm
Chilmark Community Center, 520 South Road
For the warrant, go here.

Article 24:
$55,784 for the Community Preservation Reserve for Community Housing

Tisbury
April 25 at 7 pm
Martha’s Vineyard High School Performing Arts Center, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs
For the warrant, go here.

Special Town Meeting

Article 9:
Allows for tradespeople to conduct business in their home in a residential area.

Article 10:
Allows the maximum height of structures to increase from 24 feet to 26 feet (to allow for building up in the floodplain).

Article 11:
Changes the zoning bylaw to limit certain categories of fractional ownership in residential areas, but still allow co-ownership of individuals.

Annual Town Meeting

Articles 5 and 6:
Funds Community Preservation Committee projects and housing preserves.

Article 14:
$50,000 to fund recertification of all real estate and personal property as required every five years.

Articles 17, 18, and 19:
Wastewater funding

Article 28:
Funds a part-time affordable housing committee administrator.

Article 31:
Funds a part-time planning board administrator.

Aquinnah Special Town Meeting
April 26 at 7 pm
Aquinnah Town Hall
To view the warrant, go here.

Article 4:
Requests Planning Board take the necessary steps to propose amendments to the Town Zoning By-law governing the use of town owned properties, including procedures for relief or variance from the Town’s regulations.

Article 5:
Amends zoning bylaw to provide exemption of approved Auxiliary Apartments from current rental limitations and to allow residents to rent their Apartments at market rates.

Aquinnah Annual Town Meeting
May 9 at 7 pm
Aquinnah Town Hall

Warrant is not yet available.