Oak Bluffs meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Oak Bluffs STR committee picks self-certification model; Select Board to weigh fuel tanks, zoning

Oak Bluffs' short-term rental committee has settled on a self-certification registration model, a decision that will shape the town's proposed rental bylaw. The committee agreed to begin with a simple registration process rather than full administrative inspections, aiming to gather baseline data without added staffing costs. The draft includes a $300-per-day fine and revocation after more than three violations.

Short-term rental regulation

The Short Term Rental Ad Hoc Committee met twice in the past two weeks. On August 10, it approved minutes from August 3 unanimously and reached consensus on the self-certification model. Members reviewed a draft two-page registration form and agreed to require a local contact or designated agent, as well as a state tax ID. They also decided to remove confusing violation examples from the bylaw and reference codes instead.

On August 17, the committee approved minutes from August 3 with Donny Brice and Brian Packish abstaining. It agreed not to make recommendations on the current administration and rule-making language at this time, and set a 14-day timeframe for property owners to update contact information. The next meeting is scheduled for August 20.

The committee is set to vote on a proposed draft bylaw on August 24, with the intention of presenting it to the Select Board on August 25.

Select Board

The Select Board held an executive session on August 11 to discuss the potential purchase, exchange, lease, or value of the Island Theater at 1 Circuit Avenue and a property at 49 East Chop Drive. No votes were taken in open session, as the meeting was agenda-only. The board also considered appointments, including a probationary firefighter, and possible votes on road closures for the August 21 fireworks, a security camera policy amendment, and mutual aid letters to Edgartown and Tisbury.

At its upcoming meeting on August 25, the Select Board will hold a public hearing on a request from Oak Bluffs School to place five underground fuel storage tanks at 50 Trade Winds Road, followed by a possible vote on the storage fuel license application. The board will also discuss and possibly vote on proposed zoning bylaw amendments from the Planning Board, an RFP for an Economic Development Council five-year action plan, and a proposed Short Term Rental By-Law. Other items include setting a Special Town Meeting date of December 1, 2026, at 7:00 pm.

Other recent meetings

Several other boards met in the past two weeks, though most were agenda-only and no decisions have been published yet.

• The Planning Board met on August 13 to discuss and possibly vote on submitting the Zoning Reform Subcommittee's proposed changes to the Select Board. The subcommittee met again on August 17 to submit a draft for review.
• The Wastewater Commission met on August 12 to continue discussions on betterment fees, privilege fees, and a hookup at Tackenash Knoll, and to consider a warrant article for the December 2026 Special Town Meeting.
• The Zoning Board of Appeals held hearings on August 19 for five applications, including a withdrawal request for a deck at 125 Seaview Avenue and a special permit for a carport at 37 Menahan Street.
• The Conservation Commission met on August 20 to hear two Notices of Intent for construction in flood zones and wetland buffers, at 114 Park Street and 52 Marthas Park Road.
• The Historic District Commission reviewed applications on August 12 for signage at 9 Oak Bluffs Avenue, an ADU rebuild at 3 Uncas Avenue, and a house addition at 34 Massasoit Avenue.
• The Affordable Housing Committee met on August 18 to discuss a community-scale analysis of town-owned lots for housing development.
• The Parks Commission met on August 17 to discuss a sign order and fireworks planning.
• The Copeland Plan Review Committee met on August 17 to approve minutes from previous meetings.

Coming up

• **August 24, 4:00 pm** – Short Term Rental Ad Hoc Committee will vote on the proposed draft bylaw for presentation to the Select Board.
• **August 25** – Select Board meeting: public hearing on the school's fuel tank license, zoning bylaw amendments, RFP for the five-year action plan, proposed STR bylaw, and setting the Special Town Meeting date.

Oak Bluffs boards weigh hotel project, YMCA tanks, housing funds

Over the past two weeks, Oak Bluffs town boards met to consider a range of items, including a proposed hotel reconstruction, a YMCA fuel tank relocation, and a request for housing funds. Minutes from these meetings have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed.

Select Board (July 28)

The Select Board held a public hearing and was scheduled to vote on a request from the YMCA to relocate underground fuel storage tanks at 111R Edgartown Vineyard Haven Road. The board also considered appointing Tommy Hanson as a full-time police officer, a waiver for a building moratorium at 3 Elmwood Ave, and a license agreement for Bellevue Veterans Community LLC at 50 Bellevue Avenue. The agenda included acceptance of a $15,000 donation from Summercamp for Oak Bluffs Fire Works.

Copeland Plan Review Committee (July 27)

The committee continued a public hearing on a proposal by OB MV Realty Trust (Charles Hajjar, Trustee) to reconstruct the historic Ocean View House at 16 Chapman and a portion of 0 Summerfield Pk as a three-story, 26-room Victorian-style boutique hotel. The plan includes three workforce housing units in the cellar. The board was also set to approve minutes from three prior meetings.

Finance & Advisory Committee (Aug 6)

The Finance Committee discussed and was scheduled to vote on recommending town approval of a $100,000 request from the Oak Bluffs Municipal Housing Fund for Habitat for Humanity's 44 Oak Ave building project. The committee also considered appointing a member to the 1 Circuit Avenue Island Theater Building workgroup and received updates on 2026 initiatives and town administrator/accountant reports.

Other recent meetings

• **Board of Health (July 28):** Considered a variance request from Schofield, Barbini & Hoehn, Inc. for a septic system at 9 Spruce Ave, including reducing the leaching field setback from Spruce Avenue from 10 feet to 1 foot. Also discussed a contract with the VNA of Cape Cod.
• **Wastewater Commission (July 29):** Discussed updates to betterment fees, the associated street list, and hookup/privilege fees for Tackenash Knoll.
• **Board of Assessors (July 30):** Reviewed a total tax commitment of $72,282.50 across 390 bills and MV Abatement applications.
• **Parks Commission (Aug 3):** Considered a Land Bank representative reappointment, a site visit for Naushon Park, a pickleball noise complaint, and a draft license for MV Baseball & Softball Leagues.
• **Planning Board (Aug 3):** Reviewed and refined draft warrant recommendations for zoning reform; no final decisions were listed.
• **Zoning Board of Appeals (Aug 5):** The Green Villa Working Group reviewed the project's status in light of MVC DRI approval and an applicant's appeal to the HAC.
• **Conservation Commission (Aug 6):** Heard land-use applications for 114 Park Street, 52 Marthas Park Road, and 12 Beach Road Extension, and voted to appoint Ms. Hughes as Chair.
• **Short-Term Rental Bylaw:** The Ad Hoc Committee met on July 27 and Aug 3 to continue discussions on a rental bylaw, including codifying short-term rentals as a legal use.

Coming up

• **Planning Board Zoning Reform Subcommittee (Aug 17):** Will submit a draft zoning reform proposal to the full Planning Board for review. Hybrid meeting at Town Hall or via Zoom.
• **Zoning Board of Appeals (Aug 19):** Will hold public hearings on five applications for special permits or variances, including a withdrawal request for a deck at 125 Seaview Avenue, a carport at 37 Menahan St, and a swimming pool setback at 26 Double Ox Rd. The board will also approve minutes from July 15, 2026.

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.