Oak Bluffs reappoints dozens to local boards; names new Affordable Housing Committee alternate

At its July 21 meeting, the Oak Bluffs Select Board confirmed a broad slate of reappointments to town committees and appointed one new alternate member to the Affordable Housing Committee.

Select Person Mark Leonard moved to reappoint Jim Bishop, Rene Ben David and Katherine (Katie) Donahue to the Affordable Housing Committee for three-year terms; the motions were seconded and carried by roll-call votes. The board also appointed Geoffrey Van Horn as an alternate to the Affordable Housing Committee; Green-Beach explained that alternates "attend the meetings but are a non- voting member unless needed to make a quorum." Van Horn introduced himself and said he has "lived on island for fourteen years" and has experience building and refurbishing homes.

The board reappointed Bill Cleary to the Community Preservation Committee as the Select Board appointee (one-year term), and reappointed Amanda Murtha and Karen Tewhey to three-year terms. Historical Commission Chair Barbara Baskin, Linda Bryant and Kathy Laskowski were reappointed; Baskin told the board that the Historical Commission "works very closely with the Martha's Vineyard Commission" on demolition permits and historic filings. The board also handled reappointments and appointments for the Library Board, Climate & Energy Committee, Personnel Board, Shellfish Committee, Sign Review Committee and Zoning Board of Appeals during the session.

Votes were recorded by roll call for each appointment; occasional abstentions were noted in the minutes on specific reappointments.