Select Board approves Eversource easement for Tackenash Knoll housing project; payment warrants top $2 million
The Oak Bluffs Select Board and Affordable Housing Committee jointly approved an electric service easement for the Tackenash Knoll affordable housing project at 85 Edgartown Vineyard Haven Road, clearing a utility step for the development. The vote was 8-0.
Tackenash Knoll easement and $2 million in warrants
At its July 21 meeting, the Select Board approved the Eversource easement for Tackenash Knoll alongside payment warrants totaling $2,036,485.11, approved 4-0. The Affordable Housing Committee's summary of the same joint meeting lists the warrant total as $2,039,486.11, also approved 4-0. The discrepancy between the two summaries has not been reconciled in the available records.
The board also filled numerous committee appointments, all by 4-0 votes unless noted:
- Geoffrey Van Horn appointed as alternate to the Affordable Housing Committee.
- Bill Cleary reappointed to the Community Preservation Committee for one year (3-1, one abstention).
- Sherry Countryman appointed to the Conservation Commission (3-1, one abstention).
- Barbara Baskin reappointed to the Historical Commission and Sign Review Committee.
- Linda Bryant and Marta Van Ranst appointed to the Sign Review Committee.
- Grace Cotterill, Douglas Pease, and Llewellyn Rogers reappointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The Affordable Housing Committee's summary adds reappointments of Jim Bishop, Rene Ben David, and Katherine Donahue to that committee; Amanda Murtha and Karen Tewhey to the Community Preservation Committee; Sharon Cooke and Joan Hughes to the Conservation Commission; Kathy Laskowski to the Historical Commission; and Dana Hughes to the Sign Review Committee.
Short-term rental bylaw discussions continue
The Short Term Rental Ad Hoc Committee met July 20 and July 27 to continue discussing a proposed short-term rental bylaw and registration process, including review of the updated state building code (10th Edition 780 CMR, updated July 24, 2025). Minutes have not yet been published for either session. A further meeting is scheduled for August 3 to review a Planning Board bylaw that would codify short-term rentals as a legal use.
Copeland Plan Review Committee: hotel, home expansion, yoga platform
The Copeland Plan District Review Board held continued public hearings July 20 and July 27 on a proposal by OB MV REALTY TRUST (Charles Hajjar, trustee) to reconstruct the historic Ocean View House at 16 Chapman Avenue and a portion of 0 Summerfield Parkway as a three-story, 26-room Victorian-style boutique hotel with three workforce housing units in the cellar. No decision has been recorded; minutes are not yet published.
The committee also scheduled a public hearing on Jeffrey and Claudia Leidinger's proposal to rebuild a single-story home as two-story, raise the roof 3 feet, and rebuild the porch at 51 Katama Avenue. A request from Black Joy, LLC to withdraw a certificate of appropriateness application for a free-standing yoga platform at 125 Sea View Avenue was also on the agenda.
Parks Commission considers August event permits
The Parks Commission agenda for July 20 included six special event permit applications for August 2026, including The Vineyard Classic 5K at Washington Park on August 11 and four beach day events at Town/Inkwell Beach on August 11, 17, 18, and 19. The commission also planned to discuss a pickleball noise complaint, an Eastville Beach complaint, and a draft license for Martha's Vineyard baseball and softball leagues, plus a survey and proposed fence installation at Naushon Park. No outcomes are available.
Other meetings: personnel, health, wastewater, assessors
Several boards met or are scheduled with agendas only:
- **Personnel Board (July 23):** Vote proposed on a Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services job description (Grade 7) and a new Collateral Assignment of Duties policy.
- **Board of Health (July 28):** Variance request for 9 Spruce Ave seeks to reduce the leaching field setback from Spruce Avenue from 10 feet to 1 foot, among five Title 5 variances. Also scheduled: discussion of a VNA of Cape Cod contract.
- **Select Board (July 28):** Public hearing and vote proposed on YMCA fuel storage tank relocation at 111R Edgartown Vineyard Haven Road; appointment of Tommy Hanson as full-time police officer; a building moratorium waiver at 3 Elmwood Ave; a license agreement for Bellevue Veterans Community LLC at 50 Bellevue Avenue; and acceptance of a $15,000 donation from Summercamp for Oak Bluffs Fire Works.
- **Economic Development Council (July 28):** Possible vote on a bylaw for the Special Town Meeting.
- **Wastewater Commission (July 29):** Discussion of betterment fee updates and Tackenash Knoll privilege and hookup fees.
- **Board of Assessors (July 30):** Review of a tax commitment of $72,282.50 across 390 bills and abatement applications.
Coming up
- **Aug. 3 — Select Board (Short Term Rental Ad Hoc Committee):** Review of Planning Board bylaw codifying short-term rentals.
- **Aug. 3 — Parks Commission:** Vote on Land Bank representative reappointment; Naushon Park site visit discussion.
- **Aug. 3 — Planning Board:** Review and refinement of zoning warrant recommendation drafts.
- **Aug. 5 — Zoning Board of Appeals (Green Villa Working Group):** Status review of Green Villa project following MVC DRI approval and applicant appeal to HAC.
- **Aug. 6 — Conservation Commission:** Hearings on flood-zone projects at 114 Park Street, 52 Marthas Park Road, and 12 Beach Road Extension; vote to appoint Ms. Hughes as Chair.
- **Aug. 17 — Planning Board (Zoning Reform Subcommittee):** Submission of draft zoning reform proposal for full board review.