The two candidates running for select board in Aquinnah laid out their priorities in a candidates’ forum Wednesday put on by the League of Women Voters.
Before about 20 people at the Aquinnah town hall, incumbent Thomas Murphy and challenger Jannette Vanderhoop answered voter questions, weighed in on their experience and explained their vision for the town.
Mr. Murphy emphasized his professional background as a lawyer and the work he has done in Aquinnah since moving to the Island. He started a law practice in mainland Massachusetts and worked as a prosecutor before working as a corporate attorney. Since moving to the Island full-time, Mr. Murphy has served on the lighthouse committee, the planning board, and the finance committee in Aquinnah.
“I’m fortunate that I have a legal background,” said Mr. Murphy, “Initially, when I got elected, I thought it was going to be one and done, but it’s grown on me.”
Ms. Vanderhoop noted her community-focused work history and personal experience as a member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).
“I am culturally appropriate and sensitive. I will work with anybody,” Ms. Vanderhoop said, “I come to you as a young person who’s ready to step into this role.”
Ms. Vanderhoop previously served as the museum director for the Aquinnah Cultural Center and as a board member for Adult Community Education Martha’s Vineyard. She hopes to use her knowledge from those roles, as well as her environmental studies education, to build a sustainable future for the town.
One of the main concerns of residents was the growing town budget and rising taxes.
Ms. Vanderhoop wanted to see Aquinnah become a destination for more Vineyard visitors.
“There’s millions of dollars coming into this Island, and we want to get it up here,” said Ms. Vanderhoop. She added that despite this, there is little revenue that comes into Aquinnah other than taxes. “My greater vision is to create a cultural tourist destination.”
Ms. Vanderhoop added that short-term rental taxes and incentives for seasonal residents to build auxiliary dwellings to increase property values were worth exploring.
Mr. Murphy’s proposed solution focused on getting more land back on the tax roll. He said that he spoke to town assessors and found that there are 56 parcels of land owned by Aquinnah that are not generating tax revenue.
“In other communities in the state of Massachusetts, they’ve had an abutters program where they offered that land, if it was abutting your property…at a very minimal price,” Mr. Murphy said, “It may be a little piece that gets you from 1.8 acres to 2 acres so that you can build a house…That’s one of the things that I wanted to institute this year.”
Ms. Vanderhoop said that it would be worth having a conversation with the tribe about selling some of that non-taxable land.
Although the select board seat is the only contested race in Aquinnah, candidates for other seats were also invited to speak.
Sarah Thulin, the incumbent running for re-election as a Land Bank commissioner, spoke about the importance of conservation in light of climate change. Kathy Newman, who is running for her second term on the board of health, spoke about preventative programs, including a plan to make permethrin infused socks available at low prices later on in the year.
Kayla Darcy, who is running uncontested for town clerk, did not attend the event. No write-in candidates spoke for any of the seats that have no candidates: a seat on the planning board, a library trustee position, and two constable positions.
The League of Women Voters forum will be available to stream on mvtv.org. The town election is May 16. Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. at Aquinnah town hall.
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