Kerry Scott will not seek reelection in Oak Bluffs

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Kerry Scott said Tuesday that she will not seek reelection to a third term as selectman. She offered her selectman colleagues at the regular meeting no explanation for her decision, but she said she got satisfaction and great pleasure out of serving as a selectman.

“I’ve done a lot of thinking, a lot of soul-searching,” Ms. Kerry said. “Whatever gifts I brought to the table have been returned to me over and over and over again, in terms of satisfaction, the people I’ve been able to help, the things I’ve been able to accomplish.”

Ms. Scott has been in the minority on several 4-1 votes over the past year and repeatedly clashed with other selectmen and town officials. She made it clear she will remain, as she described it, an advocate for her hometown.

“I’d like to serve again if you’ll have me,” Ms. Scott said. “I expect to stay in the public arena in some way, shape, or form.”

A packed meeting room applauded when Ms. Scott finished her announcement. Of her colleagues, only chairman Greg Coogan commented.

“I’m surprised to hear that, but I know you won’t go far,” Mr. Coogan said.

In other action, the selectmen appointed Ron Hancock to a one-year term on the Martha’s Vineyard Commission. A resident of Oak Bluffs for more than four years, and a summer visitor for 30 years, Mr. Hancock is active in the East Chop Association.

The board approved a new parking configuration for spaces near Nancy’s Restaurant. The restaurant will have three parallel parking spaces reserved along the harbor, instead of parking a trash truck, bottle truck and personal vehicles across the public sidewalk.

Also, on the advice of town counsel and others, the board agreed to adopt a recommendation from fire Chief Peter Forend to establish a mandatory retirement age of 65 for volunteer firefighters. Mr. Forend said the change will satisfy requirements of liability insurance.