The Martha s Vineyard Times
2021: A New Yearâs resolution for our future
Goodbye, 2020!
After this year of unmitigated stress, fear, and grief, we are ripe for a new beginning, for hope and positivity. I hereby propose that each of us make the mother of all New Yearâs resolutions â save the planet! Iâm serious.Â
If we humans do not stop emitting greenhouse gases, the extreme impacts of global warming will become irreversible. We have a strict 30-year time frame to act, starting today. We can do it if we act now.Â
President-elect Joe Biden is poised to make climate action a national priority.
The Martha s Vineyard Times
Brian Packish appointed to MVC
Brian Packish will serve on the Martha s Vineyard Commission for the next year. O.B. selectmen appointed him Tuesday night. Gabrielle Mannino
Oak Bluffs selectmen sidelined long-serving appointee Gail Barmakian Tuesday night and appointed Brian Packish to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission for a one-year term. In the lead up to the vote, Barmakian highlighted her work on water quality regulations, among other things. Packish touted his work with the MVC, particularly in shaping the DRI checklist when he was chair of the planning board.
“I think this is an embarrassment of riches that we have two people willing to do it,” selectman Greg Coogan said, because it’s a lot of time.
The Martha s Vineyard Times
Chappy cell tower trial concludes
Dana Strayton completes testimony; January post-trial hearing set.
Left to right: Plaintiff Dana Strayton and her attorneys Kaitlyn Baptista, and Daniel Hill. Screenshot
A trial over the approval of a Chappaquiddick cell tower by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) wrapped up Monday in a Zoom session presided over by Superior Court Judge Paul Wilson.
Chappy residents Dana and Robert Strayton sued AT&T and the MVC, claiming that the MVC’s tower approval and the processes that led to it were flawed. The Straytons also claimed their home and their enjoyment of it have suffered because of the tower. AT&T and the MVC haven’t seen it that way, and have argued vigorously against the Straytons’ assertions. After the conclusion of testimony from Dana Strayton and wrangling over exhibits and motions, the proceeding wound down without closing arguments.
The Martha s Vineyard Times
MVC calls on Warren, Markey, Keating for infrastructure aid
Earmarks could be a boon for the Island.
Even as a letter from the Martha s Vineyard Commission about climate change effects on the Island, another nor easter was flooding Five Corners. -Rich Saltzberg
As the country gears up for a new president and a new congress, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission is calling on federal legislators to include the Island in future infrastructure discussions.
In letters to Rep. Bill Keating, D-Bourne, and senators Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren, the commission asked for a joint meeting or at the least individual meetings to discuss the role the federal government can play in developing green infrastructure, energy transformation, and ecologically regenerative best practices on the Island.
The Martha s Vineyard Times
Cahill appointed to Port Council for Tisbury
‘Avid boater’ picked over environmentalists for waterways committee.
Dukes County Commissioner John Cahill was appointed to the SSA Port Council Tuesday night as Tisbury s representative.
In a unanimous vote Tuesday night, the Tisbury select board appointed Dukes County commissioner John Cahill to the Port Council of the Steamship Authority as Tisbury’s representative.
Cahill replaces outgoing Port Council member George Balco. The board interviewed one other candidate, former SSA Capt. David Dandridge, before making its decision.
Also by unanimous vote, the board chose planning board member Paul Munafo over Tisbury Waterways Inc. board member Beverly Potsaid and Lagoon Pond Association president Doug Reece for a slot on Tisbury’s waterways committee.