With the mission of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission in the spotlight more than ever this year, Island voters will have a choice to make as they head to the polls for the Nov. 3 election.
Under the MVC enabling legislation, nine candidates are elected at large every two years to serve as voting members on the 17-member commission. At least one candidate must be elected from each of the six Island towns, but not more than two can be elected from any one town.
This year nine candidates are running, but with three candidates from Tisbury and no one running from Chilmark, there is a contest in Tisbury.
The Gazette emailed questions to all nine candidates last week, with a deadline of Friday morning for responding. Responses were received from seven candidates.
The responses, which appear below, have been lightly edited for style, but otherwise are the candidates’ own words.
Candidates
Jeffrey Agnoli
Age: 69
Town of residence: Edgartown
Occupation: I am a retired educator. I was a teacher in New Jersey and New York, and in 1988 began a 25 career at MVRHS. I continue to administer the HISET test (GED) at MVRHS for those looking to obtain a high school equivalency diploma.
How many years have you served on the Martha's Vineyard Commission?
Not currently on the commission.
What are the 2 or 3 most important issues facing the Martha's Vineyard Commission in the coming year?
I believe the issues we as a community face involve the twin crises that our society as a whole is going through. The first important issue is the ongoing pandemic, which has already brought enormous changes to daily life, and will surely lead to major long term changes. One of these affecting us already on the Island is the accelerated pace of development and the impacts this will have on our stressed infrastructure and fragile environment. The MVC has played, and now more than ever, must continue to play a key role in how and where this development takes place. Smart, sustainable, equitable growth can in turn help with the other important issue we face, climate change. I believe that one of lenses we will have to use to view much of what comes before the commission is whether or not it represents a step toward the solution or a step backward.
What role, if any, should the Martha's Vineyard Commission take in addressing climate change on Martha's Vineyard?
If one reads the MVC's inspiring legislative mandate, I believe it's clear the commission should play a key role in addressing climate change. The commission was created to "preserve and conserve for the enjoyment of present and future generations" the unique natural, historical, scientific, and cultural values of Martha's Vineyard." Climate change, in its many and inter-connected forms, presents serious challenges to those worthy and noble values. The commission, with its strong ties to the Islandwide community, its role in guiding practical and wise steps to protect our threatened resources, its willingness to bring science and experts and an informed and active public into the effort, is exceptionally suited to be part of what must be a broad and lengthy effort to address climate change.
How effective has the Martha's Vineyard Commission been in meeting its mission and what would you do to make it more effective?
The MVC has worked for years to positively shape growth and land use on Martha's Vineyard. It has not been easy, as the process invariably sometimes ends with a "no" or a denial. In a small community decisions reverberate, and they must be made carefully and fairly. One "stakeholder" in the decision-making process must be the environment, and a second, too often overlooked stakeholder, are the generations following us. The establishment of the MVC Climate Action Task Force, pioneered by commissioner Ben Robinson of Tisbury, is an excellent step in the direction of using the commission's centrality to the whole island to organize and actualize important sustainability programs on the island. Further linkage, especially with youth-based environmental groups, would be another great step. The voices of our young people need to, and deserve to, be heard.
Clarence A. (Trip) Barnes 3rd
Age: Sometimes 35 and other times 105. Actual: 78
Town of residence: Vineyard Haven
Occupation: Truck driver and salesman.
How many years have you served on the Martha's Vineyard Commission?
8 fun-filled years
What are the 2 or 3 most important issues facing the Martha's Vineyard Commission in the coming year?
High school fields,
Vineyard Haven school rebuild,
Affordable housing,
Steamship Authority.
MVTV should become a much more important part of relating the commission's work to Vineyarders. The hearings need an introduction, better filming, clearer sound with an introduction of each participant, pro or con. THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
What role, if any, should the Martha's Vineyard Commission take in addressing climate change on Martha's Vineyard?
I am unaware of any plan to take any positive steps on a local level or what those steps should be. I respectfully defer the commission's role in climate change to others more knowledgeable on the commission. When the waters start to rise a lot more people will become more interested in climate change.
How effective has the Martha's Vineyard Commission been in meeting its mission and what would you do to make it more effective?
Strive for term limits. Get some fresh faces. Get better news coverage about upcoming hearings and why they are necessary. Often the LUPC becomes a mini-hearing instead of guiding the applicants' preparation in a constructive way. When an application is received, a staff member should be assigned to guide it through for the applicant's benefit and the commissioners, benefit.
Christina Brown
Town of residence: Edgartown.
The Gazette did not receive responses to its questions from this candidate.
Joshua Goldstein
Age: 41
Town of residence: Tisbury
Occupation: Innkeeper
How many years have you served on the Martha's Vineyard Commission?
Elected November 2012.
What are the 2 or 3 most important issues facing the Martha's Vineyard Commission in the coming year?
Each new project and even the redevelopment projects affect many of us on the Vineyard. Weighing the positives and negatives of each project is challenging for each commissioner. In the coming year, the MVC and the towns, particularly Tisbury, will see several major projects reach the hearing phase. Two of the major Tisbury projects are the housing development at the old Hinkley property on Beach Road and the redevelopment of the mini golf course on State Road. Both of these projects have the potential to add much-needed workforce housing but will also result in more wastewater, traffic, and energy use. Balancing growth with its impacts on the surrounding area and the Islands shared resources is my goal. My hope is that the MVC will be clear as to what it expects from applicants in these three key areas — wastewater, traffic, and energy usage — so that tradespeople, builders, engineers and town permitting boards can work efficiently and effectively with the MVC.
What role, if any, should the Martha's Vineyard Commission take in addressing climate change on Martha's Vineyard?
A major role! In 1974 when Vineyarders voted to approve the MVC, climate change was not on everyone's mind. However the enabling legislation established the commission to protect the health, safety and general welfare of Island residents. Climate change is a real threat to our health, safety, and welfare! The commission needs to work closely with town planning and zoning boards to develop a unified message and steps we can take to enhance energy conservation and otherwise adjust to the impacts of climate change. We need programs that bring together disparate groups and are embraced and implemented Islandwide. Projects that come before the MVC are often asked to add solar panels or install energy efficient appliances, however this piecemeal approach isn't enough. The MVC needs to update our guidelines so applicants start the process knowing what types of climate change mitigation we expect to see included in different types of projects as the Vineyard works to address climate change
How effective has the Martha's Vineyard Commission been in meeting its mission and what would you do to make it more effective?
Government entities can always do better, and the MVC is no exception. The MVC will work best when the commissioners better reflect the wonderful diversity of the Vineyard population. We commissioners also need to do a better job of explaining and communicating what the MVC is legally tasked to do. Notwithstanding the difficulties of having meetings during the Covid pandemic, the MVC has to expand the conversation. I think the recent DRI review process is an example of the need to beef up communication via different channels. I will continue to push for more transparency, more education, and more open conversations about how we review projects and what we expect to see from applicants. The MVC hearings are sometimes lengthy because a healthy democracy demands we all get involved. It is part of my job, if reelected, to listen to my neighbors and to explain what commissioners are voting on. I will continue to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to have their voices heard.
Fred Hancock
Age: 69
Town of residence: Oak Bluffs
Occupation: I have been working as a technical director for corporate meetings and planned on retiring in December when I turn 70. Since that world has stopped due to Covid, I am getting a retirement preview. That is a long way of saying I might as well call myself retired.
How many years have you served on the Martha's Vineyard Commission?
10 years
What are the 2 or 3 most important issues facing the Martha's Vineyard Commission in the coming year?
I think we have had the same three big issues for some time now.
- Housing for the Island workforce is limited. I think everyone is aware of that. I chaired a committee that revised our housing policy that had been in place since 1998. However that only applies to the very small number of projects that come for DRI (Development of Regional Impact) review. There are now housing production plans for each town but that, unfortunately only sets the goals.
- Water Quality. We revised our Water Quality Plan to make it much more rigorous but again it only comes into play during DRI review. We have a water resource planner, Sheri Caseau, who runs water sampling and testing program and works with town boards as well. The MVC has also been working on getting approval for innovative nitrogen reduction systems.
- Climate change effects from sea level rise and what that means for storm surge and our coastal infrastructure. This also leads to a concern for clean and efficient energy.
What role, if any, should the Martha's Vineyard Commission take in addressing climate change on Martha's Vineyard?
Many people think that the MVC is only a regulatory body, but in fact we are really a planning agency that has some regulatory functions. We not only have a full time staff of planners, we also use other experts in various fields. In climate change we are now rolling out a set of plans to each town on community resilience planning and doing presentations to each town. Other than education, we work with the towns in pursuing funds for coastal resilience projects and sighting for critical infrastructure. We are also very supportive of efforts on energy efficiency and the reduction of fossil fuels which not only benefit the climate but also can reduce yearly energy costs for homeowners.
How effective has the Martha's Vineyard Commission been in meeting its mission and what would you do to make it more effective?
I think we have made some progress ooon water quality. It is just a start but because we have been working on this we are starting to see strategies emerge and I think this is an issue that has wide support on the Island. Because watersheds are in many cases shared by more than one town, this has to be a shared effort. We have not come as far on housing. While we know and acknowledge the issue, I don't see the hints of a solution. This is an issue with many communities like ours. Our Executive Director, Adam Turner, has been very proactive on these issues and has worked with all the towns to demonstrate that the MVC is a planning resource for them.
The staff does the planning and the commissioners, both appointed and elected, perform the regulatory function and on a high level set a direction for the MVC. I recently chaired the DRI Checklist Revision Committee, and our direction was to look at the checklist with an eye to water quality, housing and climate/energy.
Benjamin (Ben) F. Robinson
Age: 41
Town of residence: Tisbury
Occupation: Architecture
How many years have you served on the Martha's Vineyard Commission?
Four years
What are the 2 or 3 most important issues facing the Martha's Vineyard Commission in the coming year?
The current construction boom highlights a stark need for us to understand the carrying capacity of the Island. The MVC should continue to collect data that reveals our limits by measuring such things as water quality, traffic, open space and energy use so that we have the information to maintain a resilient economy that aligns growth with the health of our environment.
We also need affordable housing to maintain a thriving local community. We need to keep our year-round families and residents. While the MVC already considers affordable housing in its reviews, it should also support the towns in the creation of a housing bank entity. We must adapt to climate change and at an almost unprecedented speed. The lessons of Covid-19 have shown us, though, how adaptable humankind can be when confronted with a crisis. The MVC Climate Task Force needs to continue its work with the towns to develop resiliency strategies and energy transformation.
What role, if any, should the Martha's Vineyard Commission take in addressing climate change on Martha's Vineyard?
As the regional planning agency, the MVC has a primary role helping the towns collectively manage the transition to a resilient and renewably powered future. The climate crisis is a grave and urgent threat and the MVC provides some of our best tools. It has the only professional planning staff on the Island and, due to the authority granted through its enabling legislation, it has the ability to coordinate policy island-wide in ways that allow us to form a locally considered response that does not unduly change the character of this place. Acting as a region, we have more leverage to attract grant money and to be part of innovative solutions. Already the Vineyard is recognized by many as a place in which ideas may be tested because as an Island we present a controlled setting. This has attracted scientists at the Woodwell Climate Research Center in Woods Hole to collaborate with the MVC Climate Task Force on several initiatives.
How effective has the Martha's Vineyard Commission been in meeting its mission and what would you do to make it more effective?
To know how effective the MVC has been, we can look at the Cape and Nantucket. Both have seen more development, the stresses of which are pronounced. On Nantucket property values have priced out the local population to the point where the town is considering bans on short term rentals. On the Cape the water quality is so bad that lawsuits have forced billions of dollars of expensive fixes onto the taxpayers. These problems are evident on the Vineyard too but to a lesser extent, and that can be attributed to the work of the MVC over the last four decades.
In order to keep doing this critical work the MVC must have the towns at the table and leading. Regional roundtables must create space for good civic discourse to occur and stakeholders and citizens must have a say. In essence we need to embrace the democratic ideals of our governing structure for it to work. We need to talk to each other and find consensus for the more promising collective steps forward.
E. Douglas Sederholm
Age: 69
Town of residence: West Tisbury
Occupation: Attorney
How many years have you served on the Martha's Vineyard Commission?
18 years
What are the 2 or 3 most important issues facing the Martha's Vineyard Commission in the coming year?
The most important issues facing the MVC in 2021 are protecting our coastal ponds from excessive nitrogen and other pollutants, promoting affordable housing, and protecting the island's natural beauty and character from inappropriate development. A more long term issue is helping the towns adapt to the negative effects of climate change. The commission has adopted policies on water quality and affordable housing for its review of Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs). The recent growth of cyanobacteria and other toxins in several ponds may require a reassessment of our water quality policy to determine if it is sufficiently rigorous. But protecting the ponds will take more than limits on the nitrogen produced by new DRIs. We need multiple solutions to the septic generated nitrogen issue and buy-in from all six towns to implement those solutions.
What role, if any, should the Martha's Vineyard Commission take in addressing climate change on Martha's Vineyard?
The MVC should take a leading role in promoting awareness of the threat that climate change poses to the Island and in coordinating the efforts of the towns to cope with that threat. The xommission has a staff of highly qualified professional planners who can assist the towns in planning for the inevitable impacts of climate change. We expect to add a climate change planner to the MVC staff in 2021. The Island is already beginning to experience more extreme weather events. We need to strengthen the parts of our infrastructure that are most vulnerable. The political reality is that the towns must take the lead in strengthening infrastructure. The MVC can help the towns plan for these efforts.
How effective has the Martha's Vineyard Commission been in meeting its mission and what would you do to make it more effective?
The Commission's enabling legislation, Chapter 831, gives the MVC extraordinary powers to regulate development on the Island. Historically, the MVC has used only a fraction of the powers granted to it by Chapter 831.The Island Roads and Coastal Districts of Critical Planning Concern show what these powers can do. Just compare our roads and shorelines with their counterparts in coastal resort areas around the country. But the Island has reached a tipping point in its development. To protect the Island's unique natural and cultural values from inappropriate development will require careful review of smaller developments. Otherwise, we will suffer irreversible damage to what makes this place so special. Smaller developments can have a significant cumulative effect on the Island, what I call death by a thousand cuts. This isn't popular with some people, but it is a reality we must face or suffer the consequences.
Linda Sibley
Town of residence: West Tisbury.
The Gazette did not receive responses to its questions from this candidate.
James Vercruysse
Age: None given.
Town of residence: Aquinnah
Occupation: Cabinetmaker
How many years have you served on the Martha's Vineyard Commission?
A total of about 9 years
What are the 2 or 3 most important issues facing the Martha's Vineyard Commission in the coming year?
Adapting to the new reality of climate disruption and planning the ways to mitigate the effects.
Balancing new development with the need to maintain the character and natural beauty of the Vineyard.
Planning and implementing the shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy.
What role, if any, should the Martha's Vineyard Commission take in addressing climate change on Martha's Vineyard?
As the regional planning agency the commission is currently working with the towns to develop strategies to develop plans addressing their specific challenges related to climate disruption.
How effective has the Martha's Vineyard Commission been in meeting its mission and what would you do to make it more effective?
I feel that the commission has been diligently fulfilling its mission of assisting the towns with their various planning needs as well as professionally reviewing all the development projects that have been referred. The commission staff has been working extremely hard and has adapted well to the recent challenges presented by the Covid crisis.
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