Former Conservation Commission Members Urging A "No" Vote On Article 73

To the editor: We are former members of the Conservation Commission (ConCom) who no longer serve because we voted to follow the science and the law — and refused to give in to political pressure.

One recent example: the Town’s partner, the Siasconset Beach Preservation Fund (SBPF), repeatedly violated successive enforcement orders to maintain the existing geotubes according to their permit. The Commission then ordered the removal of the project. SBPF appealed that order. The Superior Court upheld it.

Beginning in 2015 with Dr. Oktay, the Select Board has strategically removed four highly-qualified incumbents to gain a more “open-minded” Commission, as SBPF President Josh Posner has phrased it. We, the undersigned Commissioners, had a total of 25 years of service, and two had served as Chairs of the Commission, one as Vice Chair. Several have advanced environmental degrees. One of us resigned in protest.

We now have a chance to right this wrong. According to the Nantucket Bylaw, Town Meeting must approve the licensing of public beach property for the purpose of erosion control. Article #73 is seeking that approval for the proposed one-mile expansion of the geotubes below the bluff in Sconset.

We ask you to please vote no on Article #73 at ATM, which begins on May 4. Let’s not allow the Select Board and their partner to circumvent the science and the law.

Thank you.

Five former members of the Nantucket Conservation Commission:

Former Chairs Ashley Erisman and Ian Golding
Former Vice Chair Sarah Oktay
Former members Mark Beale and Maureen Phillips