HomeMy WebLinkAbout20140415-LetterToBOSfromBaxterRdHomeowners_201404281436191837From:Libby Gibson
To:Erika Mooney
Subject:FW: Letter from Baxter Road homeowners
Date:Tuesday, April 15, 2014 2:14:24 PM
For the FILE
C. Elizabeth Gibson
Town Manager
Town of Nantucket
(508) 228-7255
From: James E. Walker [mailto:jwalker3@me.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2014 1:25 PMTo: Bobby Decosta; Rick Atherton; snatural@nantucket.net; midasack1@comcast.net;integrity11@gmail.comCc: Libby Gibson; Kara BuzanoskiSubject: Letter from Baxter Road homeowners
Dear Board of Selectman,
We wanted to share our appreciation with many of you for the "public private partnership" tosave Baxter Road this past winter. Your ability to rise above the debate and take steps to
protect the Town's interest with a robust and lasting solution deserves our sincere gratitude. As the neighbors who are most impacted by the Town's decision to protect the bluff in
Sconset, we hope that you will use this project as a blueprint for other areas on Nantucket inneed of protection against rising sea levels.
We live on an island made of sand, and it is shrinking. This issue is not just about Sconset,
it's about our entire Island community. I met with Chairman Atherton in a conference roomin the Town building last summer, and behind us was a large aerial photo of the Nantucket
taken many decades ago. The loss of beaches in critical areas was startling. The problem oferosion is not going away. We can no longer fool ourselves and do nothing. As
homeowners, we must act in an environmentally responsible way, and are grateful that you,the Town leaders chose this path.
Today, the sewer beds are approximately 300 feet from the dunes edge. The fence for the
airport is hanging on the bluff over Nobadeer beach. Relocating these municipal propertiesis not feasible. They can however, be protected, much the same way that Baxter Road and
access to the Sankaty Lighthouse has been protected.
Global sea levels are expected to rise at least two feet by 2050, and three to six feet by 2100,according to a recent report by UMASS Boston professor Ellen Douglas. Boston is
preparing a plan, as are other coastal cities. As both residents and strong supporters of theenvironment, we care deeply about all of Nantucket. We are hopeful that our project can
serve as the beginning of a plan by the Board of Selectman to combat rising sea levels for theentire Island, not just our Sconset community.
The Island of Nantucket can learn a great deal over time with the protection of Sankaty
Bluff. The partnership with the Town was a success for all parties involved. This projectsaved Nantucket taxpayers many millions of dollars by avoiding the relocation of an
important public road, helped to preserve a tax base, and can serve as a model for protecting
other Town properties.
A sincere thank you to the Selectman and Town staff.
Regards,
Jim and Deborah WalkerDavid and Dorothy Bailey
Steve and Erin Freeman Sam and Ann Furrow
Danny Korengold and Martha DippellJohn and Susan DeAngelis
Bill and Marilee Matteson Larry and Margaret McQuade
Dexter and Susan PainePat and Molly Ryan
Toby and Laurie Webb