Voters in Edgartown approved two ballot questions Tuesday in an election that was otherwise lacking in competitive races.
The first ballot question, for $2.8 million for the Memorial Wharf restoration project through a Proposition 2½ debt exclusion, was passed by voters 297-30. The project will replace the wharf with a new one of similar design, and is partially paid for through a grant.
The estimated increase of the tax rate would be 3 cents per $1,000 valuation. The town’s current tax rate is $3.28. The average single-family residence worth $1.6 million would pay an additional $50.73.
In a vote of 248-82, voters agreed the town’s tax collector should be appointed instead of elected.
Voters approved both the Memorial Wharf project and the change to the tax collector’s position at town meeting, as well.
Following the death of longtime Edgartown town moderator Sean Murphy last month, his name remained on the ballot, but the election was decided by write-in, and Steve Ewing was elected as moderator with 195 votes (47 people still voted for Murphy).
Robert Coad was elected to the finance advisory committee. Coad received 254 votes, Paul Pertile received 250, and Nedine Cunningham received 243. James Kelleher was elected as water commissioner, with 36 write-in votes.
The other election results are as follows:
Select board: Arthur Smadbeck, 268 votes, 8 write-ins
Board of assessors: S. Christopher Scott, 288 votes, 2 write-ins
Board of health: Christopher Edwards, 277 votes, 1 write-in
Board of health: Candace A. Nichols, 251 votes, 2 write-ins
Constable: Scott A. Ellis, 293 votes, 1 write-in
Library trustees: Julie L. Lively, 267 votes, 53 write-ins
Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank representative: Steve C. Ewing, 299 votes
Park commissioner: Richard A. Kelly, 275 votes
Planning board: Michael Jon McCourt, 247 votes, 1 write-in
School committee: Louis R. Paciello, 248 votes, 1 write-in
Town collector: Melissa A. Kuehne, 284 votes
Wastewater treatment commissioner: Walter Alexander Morrison, 262 votes, 2 write-ins
