Refuge Manager Hillman Gives Auction Update in Public Meeting

Today the Merrimack River Beach Alliance (MRBA) met at PITA Hall. Led by Senator Tarr, this is a public meeting that happens regularly Matt Hillman’s Pink House update was last on the agenda. There was about 13 minutes. There was little info new to us, and what was stated was not specific.

​*GSA process is still underway to put house up for auction in the next few weeks. * There will be a “For Sale” sign on the house 
*There will be a website for info and bidding on The Pink House. 

*FWS is lobbying for it to start at the lowest bid possible. We learned yesterday that they don’t think the auction will succeed, so understandably, setting the big as low as possible would be the way to a) avoid having to demolish it themselves and the optics with it, b) throw more funds after bad for the demo. 

*There will be a 30 to 60 day bidding period. 

A prominent business owner and Pink House supporter asked, ”Why are we here, when there when there are several viable land swap options are on the table, two of which I facilitated?" Matt answered that in his opinion they weren’t viable after looking at them for various reasons. 

STPH President Rochelle Joseph spoke up about how Support The Pink House are actually the people who have worked every day of the last 8-9 years and did things exactly the way FWS wanted. 

​She pointed out that FWS asked for fresh options – and the town of Newbury asking that the much needed house /acre be reclaimed and go back on their tax rolls is just that. The town asked that Matt give them even 4 weeks to work out that option. Especially when Newbury’s elected officials, staff and committee members have also worked along side STPH on all the things FWS requested. Matt did not answer it directly, instead returned to something about land trade being exhausted. 

STPH also made comments -- for those in attendance to know. Rochelle asked why the higher ups at FWS have been stonewalling Support The Pink house and the public's calls and letters, and why, when Matt himself has admitted the auction probably won’t work, they give respect to those of us who have worked so hard in partnership with them all these years to take a few more weeks to work out Newbury's request. Because FWS acquired land can be disposed of by not jut a land trade but also by n State or Town Cooperative Agreement. 

Matt said the Realty Division at Fish & Wildlife doesn’t have the ability to keep going down this path. Rochelle pleaded that they just allow 3-4 more weeks for town of Newbury to make plans to acquire the property. Matt again repeated that 8 years has been long enough and the question about Newbury was not answered.

​Senator Tarr offered that this could be a further conversation for another time. 

Senator Tarr – there is precious little time left.