MassVoter.com← West Tisbury Select BoardWest Tisbury Select Board · 2026–2027 Board · Regular meeting
May 20, 2026
5 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
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Present: Jessica Miller, Skipper Manter, Cynthia Mitchell
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Approve the minutes from May 6th & 13th, 2026, and
Approve the minutes from May 6th & 13th, 2026, and
From the minutes
“Ms. Mitchell moved to approve the minutes from May 6th & 13th, 2026, and Ms. Miller seconded the motion. Discussion: Ms. Miller noted that a correction was still needed in the May 6 minutes regarding the sheriff section and the attribution of questions. She also noted a correction to the May 13 minutes, explaining that the Tilton event should be described as a celebration of life rather than a celebration of love. Ms. Rand stated that those were simple corrections and that the Board could proceed with approval. Roll Call Vote: Roll Call Vote: Ms. Miller – Aye, Ms. Mitchell – Aye, Mr. Manter – Aye. The motion passed unanimously. (3-0) The Board voted to approve the minutes of May 6 and May 13 with the noted minor corrections. Ne.” (Motion: Mitchell, second: Miller)
Authorize the Chair to sign the letter of support, and
Authorize the Chair to sign the letter of support, and
From the minutes
“Ms. Mitchell made a motion to authorize the Chair to sign the letter of support, and Ms. Miller seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Miller – Aye, Ms. Mitchell – Aye, Mr. Manter – Aye. The motion passed unanimously. (3-0) Event Permits: The Board reviewed three special event permits. Jen Rand explained that after sending the materi.” (Motion: Mitchell, second: Miller)
Approve the event permit for the MV Shellfish Group at the Grange Hall on 6/9, 4-8 pm, and
Approve the event permit for the MV Shellfish Group at the Grange Hall on 6/9, 4-8 pm, and
From the minutes
“Ms. Mitchell made a motion to approve the event permit for the MV Shellfish Group at the Grange Hall on 6/9, 4-8 pm, and Ms. Miller seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Miller – Aye, Ms. Mitchell – Aye, Mr. Manter – Aye. The motion passed unanimously. (3-0) Blooming Art and Garden Club Plant Sale: The Board also considered Blooming Art, scheduled for June 19 through.” (Motion: Mitchell, second: Miller)
Approve the event permit for Blooming Art Garden Club 6/19-6/21 10 am-3 pm daily at the Grange Hall, and Garden Club Plant Sale 5/23 & 24 10 am – 2 pm at the Grange Hall, and
Approve the event permit for Blooming Art Garden Club 6/19-6/21 10 am-3 pm daily at the Grange Hall, and Garden Club Plant Sale 5/23 & 24 10 am – 2 pm at the Grange Hall, and
From the minutes
“Ms. Mitchell made a motion to approve the event permit for Blooming Art Garden Club 6/19-6/21 10 am-3 pm daily at the Grange Hall, and Garden Club Plant Sale 5/23 & 24 10 am – 2 pm at the Grange Hall, and Ms. Miller seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Miller – Aye, Ms. Mitchell – Aye, Mr. Manter – Aye. The motion passed unanimously. (3-0) Cemetery Planning The Board discussed planning for cemetery expansion as the existing section approaches full c.” (Motion: Mitchell, second: Miller)
Appoint Emily Avakian to the HR position at Grade 8, Step 1, with a review after six months to consider an increase to Step 2, and
Appoint Emily Avakian to the HR position at Grade 8, Step 1, with a review after six months to consider an increase to Step 2, and
Yes: Miller, MitchellNo: Manter
From the minutes
“Ms. Miller moved to appoint Emily Avakian to the HR position at Grade 8, Step 1, with a review after six months to consider an increase to Step 2, and Ms. Mitchell seconded the motion. Discussion: Mr. Manter stated that he supported hiring Ms. Avakian, but did not support the six-month step review because the Town had updated pay scales to make Step 1 the starting point, and municipal HR differs from private HR. Ms. Mitchell stated that she would prefer offering Step 2 given Ms. Avakian’s experience, but she would support the pending motion. Ms. Miller said she would not change her motion because of a recent hiring experience that had not worked out and because the first months function like a probationary period. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Miller – Aye, Ms. Mitchell – Aye, Mr. Manter – Nay, stating that his objection was not to the individual but to the step increase review. The motion passed..” (Motion: Miller, second: Mitchell)
From the West Tisbury Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Document Center. We check every vote against the members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Jessica Miller: from The Martha’s Vineyard Times (April 2026 candidates forum, photo by Eunki Seonwoo). No photo found yet for Skipper Manter or Cynthia Mitchell; they show initials. Skipper Manter (courtesy West Tisbury Police, 2018 promotion photo) and Cynthia Mitchell (April 2022), The Martha’s Vineyard Times.
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