Healy defeats Bellissimo in West Tisbury

Updated June 26

Kent Healy has won re-election in West Tisbury, beating out challenger Michael Bellissimo. Healy defeated Bellissimo 245-146 in machine-counted votes. Hand-counted ballots brought the final, unofficial tally to 252 for Healy and 151 for Bellissimo, out of 414 ballots cast. Out of 2,584 registered voters, 414 represented a 16.02 percent turnout. 

Healy, a civil engineer, has been a longtime advocate for West Tisbury’s water bodies, including the Mill Brook Watershed. Healy has also consulted on the repair work for the town transfer station. West Tisbury voters recently approved funding for that work. Healy has said he would help guide the town through the repair process. 

Asked on Friday for comment on his victory, Healy said, “I’m good for another three years.”

Bellissimo, a healthcare executive, said prior to the election he hoped to make a “priority the care of every individual on the Island.” Bellissimo has also gone on record as a strong supporter of the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society. 

“Congratulations to Kent,” Bellissimo said Friday. He also thanked everyone who voted for him, and said he was looking forward to the summer. 

The following unopposed candidates were re-elected or elected: Dan Waters for town moderator with 380 votes, Erik Lowe for board of health with 366 votes, Maria McFarland for board of assessors with 340 votes, Tara Whiting-Wells for town clerk with 387 votes, Jeremiah Brown for tree warden with 353 votes, Elaine Barnett and Wendy Nierenberg for library trustees with 344 and 331 votes respectively, Matthew Gebo and John Rau for parks and recreation committee with 338 and 311 votes respectively, John Powers for constable with 370 votes, Henry Geller and Leah Smith for planning board with 330 and 340 votes respectively, and Peter Wells for Land Bank commissioner with 348 votes.