PUBLIC MEETING RECAP - PITA Hall April 8 2024

Photo credit: Sandy Tilton

Many to all who could make our public meeting on April 8. STPH conveyed substantial progress at that meeting, which we'll summarize here for any who could not be there. Since then, we've gotten an update which you can find  below: 

Our public meeting was well attended and it was wonderful to see and hear such a passionate, highly interested group. Attendees were happy to learn that STPH's board and volunteers have continued to work full steam, despite that Parker River Refuge Manager Matt Hillman refused repeated requests for more time before he released the final Environmental Assessment to Remove the Pink House.

Just 48 hours before that announcement, STPH members had 3 long conversations with Matt, saying they had land irons still in the fire, asking for even just two more weeks. Though he said no, within days we had confirmed 5 parcels (4 in Newbury, 1 in Rowley), all offering different advantages to Fish and Wildlife (FWS). It's difficult to see how one of these or a combination, which Matt stated publicly had always been an option, could not have worked if FWS wanted to get this done. These five added to prior parcels we submitted in February and March that had been declined, several of which had solid merits. 

We want to applaud and acknowledge these new landowners, who offered their private property in response to STPH because they felt compelled to help save this cultural icon and support artists and area businesses in their community. Owners said they had not been approached by FWS before, and if so, they may not have done the same. All options have clearly not been exhausted, FWS's stated basis for their decision to demolish The Pink House.
 
On April 1, Nick Anastasi, STPH's attorney from Pierce Atwood, reached out to the Department of the Interior (DOI) solicitor to ask for a meeting with high ranking FWS decision makers. We felt sure they would reconsider if we had land they could accept. And we weren't sure they fully grasped just how much The Pink House is integral to this region - not just as a sentimental marker to small group of people. 

Nick wrote a comprehensive cover letter, we organized the 5 land offerings with stats, maps, and compelling reasons why they could work, along with a memo restating the many benefits FWS still has to gain vs. the lost opportunity cost of auction or demo. We included a stack of letters from organizations like the Tourist Bureau, the Chamber, preservation trusts, a few elected officials and government leaders of surrounding towns to show just how many people AND organizations in this region want The Pink House to stay and for FWS to take the benefits inherent in the trade. 

It was a very strong package. Knowing FWS could stop their plans at any moment, we hoped the many advantages to them would prevail. We also felt if FWS said no to this, in addition to at least 9 other special properties we brought them that could have worked, it would speak volumes.

UPDATE: After waiting 3 long weeks, the DOI Solicitor informed our attorney that FWS is not presently interested in exploring those land offers, giving insufficient reasons or legal basis. We are still pursuing a resolution with them and hope to bring them around. Our attorney has requested they provide an explanation suitable to give to our donor community who is deserving of that information, and reiterated the desire for a meeting.  

Once again we all are waiting.

Please remain vigilant, as we are not being informed by FWS, our former partner, as to the timing of their next steps. Rather, we anticipate they will again surprise the public with another announcement. If you'd like to express yourself or do something to help, scroll down to the ACTION segment of this letter.

IF YOU WANT TO HELP OR TAKE ACTION: 
At the April 8th meeting, people asked STPH to keep fighting. We followed by saying the power is in the people. The Pink House needs everyone to pitch in to that effort with us. The room responded with thunderous applause. 

What can you do? 

WRITE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR! Please make your voice heard. (Use Pink House in the title if you can).

• DAILY NEWS:   4-500 words
• THE GLOBE:  200 words
• Or any paper, anywhere! Seacoast Online, Boston Herald, etc.. just google to find where to send them. 

CALL/EMAIL REPORTERS and tell them you want them to explore this issue more thoroughly, as many articles seem to default to whatever FWS press release says. The DN, Globe Herald, Newburyport Magazine, North Shore Magazine. 

Contact TV stations WBZ-TV and radio, WGBH-TV,  WCVB-TV to do the same.

CALL/EMAIL ELECTED OFFICIALS:
FEDERAL: If you haven't already, pls write or call the offices of Moulton, Markey and Warren. Pls call 1 or all now while you're seeing it!

• Sen Ed Markey: (617) 565-8519
• Cong. Seth Moulton: (978) 531-1669 
• Sen Elizabeth Warren (617) 565-3170 

Tell them you don't appreciate that they, who are elected to represent your needs, are not stepping forward in person to sincerely represent to FWS what the public clearly wants- that will also benefit FWS! Ask them why they are clearly supporting this federal agency, when their job is to help their constituents with them -- more now than ever.  

STATE: If you already have done the above, pls call or email and any other elected official, like:

• Governor Healy (617) 725-4005
• Newbury State Rep Kristin Kassner ‭(617) 722-2000‬

Both had been very open and supportive when we first spoke to them about this. Tell them you would like them to speak your concerns to FWS and the Federal Delegation for you.

Donate HERE 

Volunteer HERE

​Write us at [email protected] if you have questions! Thank you!