Oak Bluffs selectmen make appointments, talk trash

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In an unusually brief meeting Tuesday night, Oak Bluffs selectmen approved a laundry list of permits and reappointments and discussed improvements to the town fishing pier and possible changes to the town waste disposal methods.

Permits were unanimously approved for two outdoor concerts at the Oak Bluffs library; a one-day beer and wine permit was approved for the MV Sound music festival to be held at Waban park on July 12; and a retail business permit was approved for Made MV, a local artists emporium on Circuit Ave., to be run by Oak Bluffs resident Holly Lawyer. “This is just what we’ve been talking about, getting more diversity on Circuit Avenue,” selectman Gail Barmakian said, to the agreement of the board. “I hope it succeeds.”

The board unanimously voted to reappoint Ann Ross to the library board of trustees, E. Jacqueline Hunt to the Council on Aging board, and Alison Shaw to the historical committee and to the community preservation act commission.

Town administrator Robert Whritenour told selectmen he has had productive meetings with Tisbury town administrator Jay Grande and Steamship Authority (SSA) manager Wayne Lamson about creating more cost-effective solid waste disposal for the two down-Island towns. Mr. Whritenour also said efforts were being made to obtain grant money to purchase organic composting equipment for the town. Selectmen unanimously agreed that curbside recycling collection, which is done in Tisbury, should also be a goal for Oak Bluffs.

The Department of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has suggested improvements to the new fishing pier, which include nets for fish retrieval, improved signage, bait cutting stations and a salt water hand pump wash-down station, Mr. Whritenour said, adding that he hoped the addition of the last two items would cut down on fetid fish entrails being left on the benches. He will work with the DMF to lobby the state to fund the improvements.

The board will meet on July 15 to discuss year-end expenditures and will not meet on July 22 as previously scheduled.