To reach a solution we can all get behind, we hope that our educational leadership demonstrates respect for the public review process.
Last week, just a few weeks after submitting their permitting application, the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School leadership attended the Oak Bluffs planning board meeting, and during the public comment part of the meeting, assistant superintendent Richard Smith read a passage from the Dover Amendment. Essentially, this amendment says that the law exempts agricultural, religious and educational corporations from zoning restrictions. In other words, the high school claimed that they intend to circumvent the standard, municipal site plan review process. It is our understanding that the Dover Amendment could be applied to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission as well.
We disagree with the high school’s approach. This is not a path of transparency. Nor is it setting a good precedent.
We recognize and appreciate that, like us, everyone wants what is best for our Island and for our kids. But a divided community and no due process is not what is best for this Island or for our kids. To reach a solution we can all get behind, we hope that our educational leadership demonstrates respect for the public review process, abide by municipal regulations, and model civil debate.
Mollie Doyle, Dardanella Slavin, Rebekah Thomson
Chilmark and West Tisbury
Comments
Here in Nahant, MA, an island
Elizabeth Berman Nahant, MAHere in Nahant, MA, an island town of only 3500 residents, Northeastern University is pushing forward with a 55,000 Sq. ft. institute, ironically called the Coastal Sustainability Institute. It is ironic because this institute will be built on a narrow, flood-prone coastal area that is considered by the town as an open space, natural resource area to offer vital maritime shrublands for migrating birds. The site is far from public transportation and it will require the town’s to pay for all of its infrastructure enhancements ( NU provides no tax revenue to our town). Nahant is the smallest town in MA and has one of the lowest taxes bases in MA. But the University is pushing this project again using the archaic provisions of the Dover Amendment. During the 2019-2020 MA Legislative Session, Nahant residents pushed for passage of Bill H. 1765, an act to clarify Dover's language that non-profits are NOT exempt from local wetland bylaws or natural resource protections. This Bill was just recently tabled (read: sent to a Study Commission), but perhaps MVers could joins us to resubmit this legislation for the 2021-2022 session? We are not opposed to religious of educational facilities expanding. We just feel that these organization, like all of us, should not be exempt from local environmental protections.
Join us at Amend Dover.org
This one is actually funny
Really?! TisburyThis one is actually funny coming from the purveyors of facts used out of context over and over again. The misinformation campaign and my way or no way folks strike again. Compromise gets everyone something. Try it sometime.
The Dover Amendment has been
William CHILMARKThe Dover Amendment has been around in some form since the 1950s. First it covered religious institutions that had educational uses, then it covered religious and educational uses. It exist in Law and has been affirmed by Mass. Superior Court.
It was was passed precisely because of the minority obstructionist.
As an ex. MVRHS athlete, I hope all the fields are converted to astro turf.
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