Letters

I am writing to bring to the community’s attention the absurd, arbitrary and capricious actions of some of the Southampton History Museum board who have, without merit, terminated the lease of Conscience Point Shellfish.

CPS is a valuable gem in our small community. They occupy a tiny sliver of unused, unimproved land, where they quietly raise oysters that they farm in our waters, which help to clean nitrogen and pollutants that help to keep the water clean for our children. The oysters act naturally, without consuming resources; plus, when mature, they are sold or donated to the community. The nominal sales income helps to offset the costs of running the organization, which operates on a tiny budget, the rest of the budget coming from donations.

Children are welcome to go to the CPS shack to see firsthand how oysters are raised from germination to maturity, a valuable life lesson. Volunteers work tirelessly to run the facility on their own valuable time for the community good. CPS is a quiet neighbor that their occupancy affects no residents nearby.

There is just no reason to shut down this unique facility so suddenly. The board should sit down with CPS management and discuss what their concerns are to work out whatever is needed to keep the hatchery in place for the good of our environment and the community. The board should be thrilled to have CPS as a tenant and should focus their efforts on more pressing issues.

Recent, sudden board resignations over this matter clearly support the feelings of many.

Daniel Blum

Water Mill