Dear Editor: This month, Alna’s selectmen signed a mediation agreement with Jeff Spinney about the permanent boat ramp he excavated into the Sheepscot River tidal marsh in December. This agreement allows Spinney to keep his private ramp, with supposed use restrictions, even though the ramp violates our Shoreland Zoning Ordinance’s prohibition of “permanent structures.” The abutters who participated in the mediation did not sign the agreement. Alna’s selectmen threw in their lot with the ramp-building applicant, who threatened to take the town to court over his previously denied shoreland zoning permits. They ignored objections raised by the abutters and dozens of other Alna and Newcastle residents.