The Martha s Vineyard Times
O.B. approves lighthouse lead testing
Approval gives Coast Guard access to small portions of town-owned land where contamination may have spread.
Oak Bluffs approved the Coast Guard to conduct lead testing and remediation on town owned land adjacent to East Chop Lighthouse.
The Oak Bluffs select board approved lead testing to be conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard on town land adjacent to the East Chop Lighthouse where it believes contamination has spread.
The approval gives the Coast Guard access to several small areas outside the 60- by 60-foot parcel of land it owns surrounding the lighthouse.
The Martha s Vineyard Times
Oak Bluffs: P.A. Club chicken dinner Shelby Regan
Seems like April Fool’s Day was a bit late as we got our surprise flurries of snow last week instead of April 1. But it lasted just long enough to look pretty and only encourage the flowers to bloom longer and the birds seemed to love it. Now we are really ready for more sun and warm days.
Congratulations to the two winners of our town election on Thursday for the select board. Jason Balboni, who was re-elected for his second term in office, and to Emma Green-Beach, who easily won in her first attempt to obtain this position. Rich Michelson lost but garnered many votes. Thanks to all who ran, and we would be remiss if we did not thank retired selectman Greg Coogan who gave so many years to our town with calm, steady faithfulness.
Green-Beach, Balboni win O.B. seats
Only contested race is for two open seats on select board in O.B.; West Tisbury has no contested races.
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There s plenty of room for social distance at the West Tisbury polls where there is no contested race on the ballot. -Rich Saltzberg
Challenger Rich Michelson, right, is a former airport commissioner. Brian Dowd
Incumbent Jason Balboni seeks a second term to the board. Brian Dowd
Challenger Emma Green-Beach won the most votes and is a newcomer to local office. Brian Dowd
Updated 7:30 pm
Newcomer Emma Green-Beach and incumbent Jason Balboni won the two open seats on the Oak Bluffs select board, edging out Rich Michelson at the polls Thursday in the Island’s only contested race.
The Martha s Vineyard Times
O.B. hires Nelson Wirtz as new fire chief
The Oak Bluffs select board chose Nelson Wirtz of Brewster as the town’s next fire chief.
The Oak Bluffs select board chose W.F. Nelson Wirtz as the town’s next fire chief at a meeting Tuesday.
A career firefighter for the past 25 years, Wirtz is currently a captain with the Chatham Fire Department. Wirtz said his familiarity with Martha’s Vineyard, working in a seasonal community, and his education and training make him a great fit for the town. He added that his temperament and personality are well suited for Oak Bluffs.
The Martha s Vineyard Times
Oak Bluffs candidates address the issues
Three candidates are vying for two seats on the Oak Bluffs select board.
From left, Rich Michelson, Jason Balboni, and Emma Green-Beach vie for two open seats on the Oak Bluffs select board.
Incumbent Jason Balboni and newcomers Emma Green-Beach and Rich Michelson are the three candidates vying for two open seats on the Oak Bluffs select board, in the town’s only contested race.
Balboni, the current chair of the town’s executive board, is seeking a second term, having first been elected in 2018. Balboni ran Balboni Appliance Service in Oak Bluffs, and has served on the town’s finance and advisory committee and personnel board.