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How Martha’s Vineyard communities are advancing shared strategies.
Across Martha’s Vineyard, climate work is starting to look less like a collection of isolated town projects and more like a shared playbook. Each town is tackling its own vulnerabilities, from flooding roads to energy resilience, but there are common themes: how to keep the lights on during outages, how to manage water, and how to shift systems away from fossil fuels.
All six towns are also participating in the state’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) 2.0 program, working with the Martha’s Vineyard Commission to identify projects that support vulnerable residents and strengthen climate resilience across the Island. Each town received $50,000 to develop a project.
All Island towns except Aquinnah also voted to ban gas-powered leaf blowers last year. While full enforcement won’t take effect until 2028, restrictions begin this summer: from June 1 to October 15, gas-powered leaf blowers are not permitted, though they remain allowed for spring and fall cleanups.
Here’s a look at what’s happening across Island towns.
Tisbury
In Tisbury, climate efforts are increasingly focused on energy resilience and flooding. After winter storms highlighted the challenges of extended power outages, the town is working to identify a network of buildings that could provide heat, charging, and basic services during emergencies. Potential sites include the library, senior center, and Tisbury School, which already has a generator.
After this past winter, “people better understood the consequences of not having power for more than a day,” said Tisbury Climate Committee Chair Melinda Loberg. The town’s MVP 2.0 proposal will focus on emergency sheltering and communications during outages.
At the Tisbury School, which is all electric, rooftop solar panels are installed but not yet connected, and the town also plans to add a solar canopy over the parking lot.
As part of the state’s Green Communities program, Tisbury is developing a new round of energy projects focused on heat pumps, efficient lighting, and water upgrades for town buildings. Loberg noted continued concerns about maintaining water service during outages, as pump stations rely on generators.
Flooding remains a major concern in Vineyard Haven, particularly at Five Corners and along Beach Road, where stormwater and tidal flooding combine to overwhelm existing infrastructure. Proposed solutions include improved drainage systems, an underground stormwater tank, and upgraded outflow pipes, while longer-term plans include raising Beach Road.
Other projects include planned Level 2 electric vehicle chargers at the park-and-ride and continued sewer expansion in the State Road business district to reduce nitrogen pollution in Tashmoo.
Edgartown
Edgartown’s climate work spans infrastructure, energy, and everyday behavior. A recently completed project on Pease’s Point Way combined drainage improvements with sidewalk and bike upgrades, helping reduce flooding during heavy rain while making the area more pedestrian-friendly.
The town continues to transition municipal buildings away from fossil fuels, with electric heat pumps installed at the harbormaster, shellfish department, and Chappaquiddick fire station, and a study underway to electrify HVAC systems at the Edgartown School.
Edgartown is also using its MVP 2.0 process to focus on vulnerable populations, including older residents, young families, and Portuguese-speaking community members, where language access can affect emergency communication.
The town is also requiring properties with access to sewer lines to connect within two years, a move aimed at reducing nitrogen pollution in local waterways. In Edgartown Great Pond, eelgrass has begun to return after years of decline, signaling improving water quality following sustained restoration efforts.
Also: Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation opened a new public trail on Chappy!
Learn more about Mumcheag Creek Preserve: sheriffsmeadow.org/property/mumcheag-creek-preserve/
Oak Bluffs
Oak Bluffs is advancing several long-term energy and resilience projects, including proposed solar installation at the town landfill that has been in development for years. “That’s a big priority for us,” said Bill Cleary, chair of the Oak Bluffs Energy Committee.
The town is also exploring solar and battery backup at the new town hall, which is already designed to be “solar-ready,” with plans to expand to other municipal buildings, including the library.
The town continues to make progress toward its Green Communities goals of reducing energy use by 25 percent over five years. Recent efforts focused on electrifying municipal landscaping equipment and expanding electric vehicle infrastructure. Voters recently approved four additional Level 2 EV chargers at town hall, bringing the total to 10 charging ports.
Climate planning is also focused on critical infrastructure. A recent study examined flood risks and access to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, identifying vulnerabilities along low-lying roadways and potential alternate routes through Eastville. Along the waterfront, jetty repairs are underway, and a broader multi-year study of the harbor and shoreline aims to guide future resilience efforts.
West Tisbury
The town is working to update coastal floodplain bylaws, shifting away from FEMA’s historical maps toward forward-looking climate models. The state is offering towns different projection scenarios, and West Tisbury is weighing which timeline best fits local conditions. Any updates will need to move through planning and zoning boards.
On the energy side, the town is continuing long-term planning for a microgrid at municipal buildings, including the library, fire station, and ongoing decarbonization work at the West Tisbury School; officials say cost remains a major barrier.
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure at the West Tisbury School includes a public charger typically available even during the summer season. Additional chargers are at the library.
West Tisbury was recently designated a state “climate leader” under the Green Communities program, following a series of building code and emissions-related commitments.
Chilmark
Voters in Chilmark recently approved changes to the town’s wetlands protection bylaw, expanding buffer zones around rivers and ponds from 100 to 200 feet. The update gives the conservation commission greater oversight of nearby development, with the goal of reducing impacts to water quality in sensitive pond systems.
Restoration work is also underway at Chilmark Pond, where long-standing water quality issues and recurring cyanobacteria blooms have raised concerns. After years of permitting delays, the Chilmark Pond Foundation began dredging the lower pond this fall, removing accumulated sand to improve tidal flushing when the pond is opened to the ocean. The effort is part of a strategy to restore ecological balance in the pond system.
Aquinnah
Aquinnah is advancing plans for a resilient energy system to support town buildings, including solar, battery storage, and generator backup. The town is working toward securing funding to move the project forward, with a focus on long-term energy reliability for municipal facilities.
As part of the state’s Green Communities program, it has electrified all of its town buildings except for the Fire House, which it has an electrification plan for.
Also, a new project led by the Indigenous nonprofit Kinship Heals is in early stages in Aquinnah, with plans for a healing center designed around land stewardship, renewable energy use, and water protection.
Got news you’d like to see in one of our magazines or newsletters? Write me at britt.bowker@bluedotliving.com
