In a win for the democratic process, a proposed bylaw to lower the quorum requirement was unanimously rejected by Edgartown voters at a special town meeting at the Old Whaling Church Tuesday.

A healthy quorum of 185 registered voters (37 more than the required number) attended the meeting to vote down the proposal which would require fewer of them to vote at any town meetings in the future.

Edgartown government has suffered from voter apathy for at least the past five years. By not turning up in sufficient numbers, voters would have ensured no articles were passed, and given increased credence to the quorum article in the process.

The current bylaw calls for five per cent of the town’s registered voters (2,952 as of Nov. 26) to form a quorum. The 185 voters constituted just over 6.2 per cent and were assembled in the voting area of the church next to a length of pews packed with nonvoting observers, bringing the hall nearly to capacity.

Voter Douglas Ruskin spoke eloquently against moving to a fixed number of required voters, arguing that as the town population grows the quorum will become less representative of the collective view, and therefore undemocratic.

Philip J. Norton Jr., who moderated the meeting with his characteristic blend of humor and efficiency, quipped that the article was included by the town for tactical purposes: “They put that article in so you’d come and vote for the other stuff,” he said.

Other articles on the warrant passed with little opposition, including $30,000 to increase emergency paramedic coverage. Currently Edgartown emergency services operate 10-hour days, seven days a week. The remaining hours are covered by volunteers. The funds will form a stipend for the remainder of the year and will allow Edgartown paramedics to be on call 24 hours, six days a week. The remaining day will be covered by Oak Bluffs paramedic services.

Two tennis courts and a basketball court at the Edgartown recreation center will be surfaced at the cost of $12,000. The Edgartown school gymnasium roof will be repaired, costing $75,000.

Voters also authorized the town water department to take $6,500 from their surplus account to fund an audit on a USDA awarded grant.

The town assessors revised an article requesting funds to carry out an updated valuation of Edgartown residential properties, bringing down their asking price from $75,000 to $50,000. Again, Mr. Norton saw devious political machinations at work. “They did that on purpose too you know,” he said, after the article was approved unanimously.

The term pothole money, which appeared on the warrant was also discussed, when one voter inquired whether or not the money was in fact used to repair potholes. In fact the term refers to $86,000 acquired by town administrators from the state to offset new costs incurred in its paid assessment to the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. Selectman Arthur Smadbeck explained that the fund is in place to help combat the fallout from the transition rates, as the Island moves toward a state-proscribed assessment formula. “Why not just call it a slush fund?” offered Mr. Norton, before declaring the article unanimously approved.