Letters

We, the undersigned, as former board trustees for the Southampton History Museum, have worked tirelessly in keeping the museum relevant in our community. A dispute has arisen between the museum and the Conscience Point Shellfish Hatchery over the use of a portion of the museum’s property leased by the hatchery [“Eviction Notice Sparks a Split Between Venerable Museum and Shellfish Group,” 27east.com, November 20].

On October 31, an attorney for the museum sent an email to Mark Matthews, president of CPSH — a cease-and-desist letter requesting that the hatchery vacate the museum’s property by the end of November. This was done with the consent of the museum’s Board of Trustees after the museum’s director and the attorney presented them with information that led them to believe it was their only option.

Three of the trustees eventually resigned, protesting an action that appeared unwarranted and handled in a way they were uncomfortable with, as no discussion was had between the museum and the hatchery before or after the vote. Further, the hatchery was given no chance to respond to the accusations either before or after the museum’s action.

The hatchery sought the opinion of Robert J. Strebel, the accountant for the hatchery and the museum. Mr. Strebel wrote (on November 4) that the organization’s mission includes promoting and producing local aquaculture. The two tenants are conducting aquaculture, which aligns with the mission. It is not uncommon for nonprofits to lease space to for-profit tenants that support or further the mission of the organization. Also, the tenants are indirectly supporting the mission by performing aquaculture operations. Precedent seems to favor the CPSH’s position on this matter.

A more recent letter from Mr. Strebel (December 26) describes the hatchery’s significant contribution to the town and the environment. The letter also comments on the hatchery’s earned revenue. The sale of market-sized shellfish to community members and local markets should be considered to be program revenue and is directly in furtherance of the mission of the organization.

Other positive aspects of the hatchery’s actions include developing a community-supported aquaculture program and donating oyster and clam seed to the Southampton Town Trustees.

Many have voiced opposition to the museum’s action, including those who have supported the museum’s programs and value the historic sites that the museum owns and maintains. Most recently, the Southampton Board of Education voiced opposition [“Southampton Historical Museum Could Lose Budget Proposition on Southampton Schools Ballot as a Result of Ouster of Shellfish Hatchery,” 27east.com, December 18].

As former museum board members, we would like the director of the museum and its current Board of Trustees to take a second look at their decision to terminate the hatchery’s lease, and to have further discussions to see if the difficulties can be resolved. We feel this current action by the museum could result in loss of taxpayer funding and other support by community members, and threaten the museum’s continued existence.

Meghan Bishop, Calla Clay, Nancy DePetris, Jay Diesing, Zach Epley, Suzanne Flanagan, Peter Hallock, Stephanie Hill, Katie Milligan, Anne Bishop Rachel, John Rachel, Tish Rehill, Ann Reisman, Howard Reisman, Jackie Scerbinski, Dennis Schmidt, Elizabeth Skinner, Linda Stabler-Talty, Sandra Walser, Jamie White Wilson

The above identify themselves as former members of the Southampton History Museum Board of Trustees — Ed.