U.S. Fish & Wildlife's Sudden Proposed Demolition of The Pink House
On November 1, 2023, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife (FWS) announced their intention to demolish The Pink House, to occur after a 30-day public comment period from November 1- 30. This sudden news came after eight years of Support The Pink House Inc (STPH) working tirelessly on behalf of the public to find a solution to save and restore the house. This work included the completion of a significant series of steps required by FWS to do a land trade, which they asked us to pay for with donor funds. Read more here.
Just 2.5 years ago, FWS invited STPH into a contractual partnership to do a land swap because they said trading this acre and house they no longer had a use for would be so beneficial to their mission. And it still is. All this work was done because this would be such a big win for all parties - with FWS benefitting the most.
STPH, the town of Newbury staff and committees, and 40+ professionals and tradespeople did the work required by FWS to prepare the house for trade because they know how important this is to the region. FWS did not deliver on their part. And no one is holding them accountable.
Our federally elected officials's job is to help constituents with a federal agency. Congressman Moulton and Senator Warren have not stepped in. But Senator Markey's office has met with us just recently, as we were 7-14 days from FWS signing demo contracts... which is why at the top of this page we encourage you to call Senator Markey's office to express your support for his making every effort to save The Pink House.
The press has not accurately covered the story, and when we outright ask why, they say they are just inexperienced or overwhelmed.
Then: Who is the watch dog?
THE PUBLIC HAS TO BE THE WATCH DOG. PLEASE ACT NOW on the quick asks in the buttons at the top.
Demolishing the Pink House will result in our global community forever losing a beloved, cultural icon. A landmark that brings economic benefits to our region, attracting visitors, photographers, painters, and other artisans, all benefitting our local businesses and fundraising efforts.
The Pink House is an asset of the United States. Demolishing it is also counter to the FWS's mission to "work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people."
Just 2.5 years ago, FWS invited STPH into a contractual partnership to do a land swap because they said trading this acre and house they no longer had a use for would be so beneficial to their mission. And it still is. All this work was done because this would be such a big win for all parties - with FWS benefitting the most.
STPH, the town of Newbury staff and committees, and 40+ professionals and tradespeople did the work required by FWS to prepare the house for trade because they know how important this is to the region. FWS did not deliver on their part. And no one is holding them accountable.
Our federally elected officials's job is to help constituents with a federal agency. Congressman Moulton and Senator Warren have not stepped in. But Senator Markey's office has met with us just recently, as we were 7-14 days from FWS signing demo contracts... which is why at the top of this page we encourage you to call Senator Markey's office to express your support for his making every effort to save The Pink House.
The press has not accurately covered the story, and when we outright ask why, they say they are just inexperienced or overwhelmed.
Then: Who is the watch dog?
THE PUBLIC HAS TO BE THE WATCH DOG. PLEASE ACT NOW on the quick asks in the buttons at the top.
Demolishing the Pink House will result in our global community forever losing a beloved, cultural icon. A landmark that brings economic benefits to our region, attracting visitors, photographers, painters, and other artisans, all benefitting our local businesses and fundraising efforts.
The Pink House is an asset of the United States. Demolishing it is also counter to the FWS's mission to "work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people."
BREAKING NEWS:
>> 10/25/24 An anonymous local offered up to a $1 million donation to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to work on a permanent solution that will benefit their mission, if they will immediately cease plans to demolish The Pink House, so it can be preserved in perpetuity.
The donor loves the house, the island and this community. We sent his formal offer to various FWS senior decision makers. With the demolition looming, and no time to waste. The donor did speak directly with Matt Hillman, and is keeping in touch in terms of delaying demo. The topic is being discussed with those higher up on the chain of command.
This opens up so many more options for FWS to conserve hundreds of new acres anywhere in the nation, and can be the WIN FOR ALL we have always worked so hard for. News of the donation could also attract new landowners to come forward - and it IS receiving much attention in the media.
>>The US Fish and Wildlife's (FWS) contract to remediate and demolish The Pink House was signed on September 20. Just because it was, doesn't mean it can be stopped. Remediation is nearly complete, and the demo is a matter of days away. Pls CALL Senator Markey (617) 565-8519 RIGHT NOW. Ask him to step in because he can. Ask how many constituents calls does it take to take more action that writing a few letters to FWS and accepting whatever comes back. This is not leadership! .
>> STATE OFFICIALS: Many are calling Governor Healy (617) 725-4005 after she stepped in with FWS to save a baby beaver just last week. They want to know why, though her office did some conversation around this, that she herself has not done more. Her family lives in Newbury and Newburyport and she is often in the new visiting neighboring towns so is in the area. Senator Tarr has been briefed as of October 10 and we have asked for his help. He remains in contact with us. and has been a friend to this project. We have spoken to, met with, and written to Rep Kassner. No meaningful result. State officials say it's a federal issue, but it's a regional and state issue too, and if they all showed unified support to Markey, Warren and Moulton, it would matter.
>> STPH MET WITH MARKEY'S OFFICE: On Thursday, 9/19/24, our board met with Senator Ed Markey's State Director and Regional Rep. We discussed our efforts, inaccuracies in FWS's Final Environmental Assessment, new findings and several solutions still available. Because Senator Markey stands for conservation and preservation, we asked his office to step in and address solutions with senior decision makers in FWS in DC. FWS' current plan is a waste of over $500,000 of federally funded, taxpayer dollars PLUS the demo costs of $154,000. And by not completing the land swap FWS Realty Chiefs invited us into, FWS also sacrifices their ability to conserve up to 400+ new acres of truly ecologically important marsh land. We hope that Senator Markey's office would want to lead on conserving new land and will work on behalf of the tens of thousands of his constituents, their businesses and preservation and historic organizations, tourists and artists through the state and beyond that want The Pink House to be saved and restored.
>> IN OTHER NEWS: Bruce Stott, of the last family to live in and own The Pink House (for nearly 50 years) has stepped forward to write an essay on in 8 parts to be published one at a time in the Daily New As I See It column, starting October 10. It is a moving, truly interesting story, in which he reveals that their father's ashes are spread on The Pink House grounds, and that the family sold The Pink House to FWS under the impression they would use it for visiting staff, meetings, and research, NOT to demolish the house.
Everything is still in place to make that happen. We vowed to keep working to save the house while it still stands. And we are.
>> 10/25/24 An anonymous local offered up to a $1 million donation to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to work on a permanent solution that will benefit their mission, if they will immediately cease plans to demolish The Pink House, so it can be preserved in perpetuity.
The donor loves the house, the island and this community. We sent his formal offer to various FWS senior decision makers. With the demolition looming, and no time to waste. The donor did speak directly with Matt Hillman, and is keeping in touch in terms of delaying demo. The topic is being discussed with those higher up on the chain of command.
This opens up so many more options for FWS to conserve hundreds of new acres anywhere in the nation, and can be the WIN FOR ALL we have always worked so hard for. News of the donation could also attract new landowners to come forward - and it IS receiving much attention in the media.
>>The US Fish and Wildlife's (FWS) contract to remediate and demolish The Pink House was signed on September 20. Just because it was, doesn't mean it can be stopped. Remediation is nearly complete, and the demo is a matter of days away. Pls CALL Senator Markey (617) 565-8519 RIGHT NOW. Ask him to step in because he can. Ask how many constituents calls does it take to take more action that writing a few letters to FWS and accepting whatever comes back. This is not leadership! .
>> STATE OFFICIALS: Many are calling Governor Healy (617) 725-4005 after she stepped in with FWS to save a baby beaver just last week. They want to know why, though her office did some conversation around this, that she herself has not done more. Her family lives in Newbury and Newburyport and she is often in the new visiting neighboring towns so is in the area. Senator Tarr has been briefed as of October 10 and we have asked for his help. He remains in contact with us. and has been a friend to this project. We have spoken to, met with, and written to Rep Kassner. No meaningful result. State officials say it's a federal issue, but it's a regional and state issue too, and if they all showed unified support to Markey, Warren and Moulton, it would matter.
>> STPH MET WITH MARKEY'S OFFICE: On Thursday, 9/19/24, our board met with Senator Ed Markey's State Director and Regional Rep. We discussed our efforts, inaccuracies in FWS's Final Environmental Assessment, new findings and several solutions still available. Because Senator Markey stands for conservation and preservation, we asked his office to step in and address solutions with senior decision makers in FWS in DC. FWS' current plan is a waste of over $500,000 of federally funded, taxpayer dollars PLUS the demo costs of $154,000. And by not completing the land swap FWS Realty Chiefs invited us into, FWS also sacrifices their ability to conserve up to 400+ new acres of truly ecologically important marsh land. We hope that Senator Markey's office would want to lead on conserving new land and will work on behalf of the tens of thousands of his constituents, their businesses and preservation and historic organizations, tourists and artists through the state and beyond that want The Pink House to be saved and restored.
>> IN OTHER NEWS: Bruce Stott, of the last family to live in and own The Pink House (for nearly 50 years) has stepped forward to write an essay on in 8 parts to be published one at a time in the Daily New As I See It column, starting October 10. It is a moving, truly interesting story, in which he reveals that their father's ashes are spread on The Pink House grounds, and that the family sold The Pink House to FWS under the impression they would use it for visiting staff, meetings, and research, NOT to demolish the house.
Everything is still in place to make that happen. We vowed to keep working to save the house while it still stands. And we are.
STAY UP ON THE FACTS WITH THE LATEST ARTICLES THAT TELL WHAT'S TRUE:
- Where are the details of Support The Pink House's work with FWS and elected officials on the public's behalf ? READ HERE
- Is it the Last Summer for The Pink House? READ THE FACTS HERE
- Newbury is fighting to reclaim the much needed Pink House/acre and return it to their tax rolls. READ ABOUT IT HERE
- FWS's unnecessary choice to remove The Pink House is an opportunity cost of $500K loss of tax payer money. LEARN HOW
- There are several accurate Letters to the Editor In the Daily News in late June and early July. If you don't have a digital subscription, we post them in their entirety on our Facebook pages. READ Save The Pink House by Ginny Eramo
- Find all the news by scrolling back through all our blog articles.
CALL TO ACTION
DEMOLITION IS NOT THE SOLUTION!
Refuge Manager Matt Hillman wrote after the public comment period through November 30th, 2023, that 78% want to Save The Pink House, but is still proposing the demolition. They have not searched for 8 years, and we proved all options were not exhausted. STPH has spent 8 years on solutions. FWS needs to be held accountable for their side of the partnered agreement by elected officials.
STPH has always been supporters of the Refuge and have worked with the dual purpose to also see new land conserved.
What can YOU DO? Here is the PLAN. It's going to take every one of you helping. Take even just 15 minutes to do one of these a day - listed in order of priority.
KEEP SPEAKING UP
CALL ELECTED OFFICIALS - Let them know their non-response to public outcry is obvious to all. Where is THEIR voice for YOU on this? Are you backing FWS who does not understand how much this means to our state? Where do you stand? What has changed from your prior support? Do you want to see the house demolished? ASK them to:
THIS WILL BE A WIN for ALL -- the elected officials, FWS and the community.
1. CALL Senator Markey's office: (617) 565-8519
Refuge Manager Matt Hillman wrote after the public comment period through November 30th, 2023, that 78% want to Save The Pink House, but is still proposing the demolition. They have not searched for 8 years, and we proved all options were not exhausted. STPH has spent 8 years on solutions. FWS needs to be held accountable for their side of the partnered agreement by elected officials.
STPH has always been supporters of the Refuge and have worked with the dual purpose to also see new land conserved.
What can YOU DO? Here is the PLAN. It's going to take every one of you helping. Take even just 15 minutes to do one of these a day - listed in order of priority.
KEEP SPEAKING UP
CALL ELECTED OFFICIALS - Let them know their non-response to public outcry is obvious to all. Where is THEIR voice for YOU on this? Are you backing FWS who does not understand how much this means to our state? Where do you stand? What has changed from your prior support? Do you want to see the house demolished? ASK them to:
- STOP THE DEMO PROCESS NOW
- WORK WITH STPH to solve this efficiently instead of favoring FWS. They represent YOU not FWS.
- ASK FWS to accept land already offered or do a sincere and thorough nation wide search for land:
- Benefits To FWS: -U to 400+ NEW acres to CONSERVE, which IS their mission
- Saves $100K in taxpayer money for demo and building/maintaining anything in it's place
- Begin to repair their heavily damaged image - which we are seeing is preventing them from acquiring new lands in this region
- Lobby the Secretary of Interior to declare it surplus, where FWS will still get market value (eliminates the need for swap land)
- Write a Bill ---or be open to the bill STPH's attorneys can provide
THIS WILL BE A WIN for ALL -- the elected officials, FWS and the community.
1. CALL Senator Markey's office: (617) 565-8519
- Thank him for his efforts to help Save The Pink House in place and FWS conserve up to 400 NEW acres.
- The have helped in past months, but they need to keep hearing from you. State officials can absolutely keep working on it and need to know this is still important to you to do so.
- Thank them for their work thus far. URGE THEM to not take demo for an answer and KEEP WORKING for you toward solutions for The Pink House to be restored in place. Because those solutions have NOT been exhausted.
- Ask why her voice has been minimal if not overtly missing, when this has been one of the biggest issues in her district.
- Ask how can we vote for her again in November when she is not representing this? We know she cares about The Pink House.
- Tell her you'd like her to immediately STEP UP and REPRESENT YOU, her constituent.
- There are solutions still on the table - don't let anyone tell you they are not possible.
- If you are one of the many reporting this gives them pause about support the Refuge, via taking part in their programs, donating, volunteering, say so. The time is NOW to get them to listen.
- Let them repair their relationship with you by stopping the demolition, negotiating a solution in good faith, and repair the damage they have done that will otherwise never be forgotten. Once The Pink House is gone, it is gone FOREVER.
SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS
Tell them why the Pink House should be saved. Consider the below talking points or see more here.
Tell them why the Pink House should be saved. Consider the below talking points or see more here.
- CULTURAL ICON - inspiring thousands of artists, photographers, and visitors per year
- ECONOMIC DRIVER - artists supplement their living, businesses sell PH items, PH brings increasing tourism to the area
- HOUSE HAZARD CONDITION IRRELEVANT - The house CAN be restored by professionals who are fully aware of its condition. STPH's Restoration Partner or any restorer can tackle any issues after the swap safely for the environment. It's done every day.
- WASTE OF A VALUABLE ASSET of the USA- Demolishing the Pink House would result in the FWS forgoing close to $500,000 that could be utilized to save land that truly has highly ecological value and serves the FWS mission (see below).
Comments On Fish & Wildlife's FAQ Statement
The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge has provided a FAQ section on their website for their proposed demolition of the Pink House. Our thoughts to a few are below in pink.
Why does the Service propose to remove the Pink House?
In 2014, a preliminary environmental survey of the building found that it contains asbestos, a serious human health risk. The property was also in a state of disrepair when purchased, and deterioration has continued since. Given these health and safety hazards, the Service determined that the building is not suitable as housing for seasonal staff, nor does it have any other feasible use for the refuge.
Further, the property has become an attractive nuisance, requiring frequent law enforcement patrols and repair work due to vandalism. Service maintenance staff and funds are increasingly required to maintain structural stability and safety. The house has a permanently flooded basement, is within an active flood zone, and recent sea level rise predictions indicate flooding will be even more severe in the years to come. Demolition and removal are therefore in the best interest of public safety, taxpayer money, and the environmental health of the area.
What has the Service done to save the house from demolition?
FWS says: In response to community members, the Service has worked diligently with landowners, elected officials, and local advocacy groups for more than seven years to find an equal-value land exchange. While several promising leads were pursued, none were ultimately successful. In the interest of safety, and to ensure the house remained intact to affect an exchange, staff maintained the house to prevent catastrophic damage. For reasons outlined above, this approach is no longer feasible.
FWS says: Removal of the Pink House would create an opportunity to enhance both the future resiliency and public access opportunities of this area. This would include repurposing the existing driveway into a small parking area and constructing an accessible observation platform. An area that has long been closed to public access would afford a unique opportunity for people of all abilities to experience and learn about the Great Marsh ecosystem from a unique vantage point.
Is the Pink House listed on the National Register of Historic Places?
FWS says: No. In 2011, the Massachusetts Historical Commission determined that the house does not meet the criteria for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and is therefore ineligible.
Why does the Service propose to remove the Pink House?
In 2014, a preliminary environmental survey of the building found that it contains asbestos, a serious human health risk. The property was also in a state of disrepair when purchased, and deterioration has continued since. Given these health and safety hazards, the Service determined that the building is not suitable as housing for seasonal staff, nor does it have any other feasible use for the refuge.
Further, the property has become an attractive nuisance, requiring frequent law enforcement patrols and repair work due to vandalism. Service maintenance staff and funds are increasingly required to maintain structural stability and safety. The house has a permanently flooded basement, is within an active flood zone, and recent sea level rise predictions indicate flooding will be even more severe in the years to come. Demolition and removal are therefore in the best interest of public safety, taxpayer money, and the environmental health of the area.
- While the building has deteriorated due to lack of maintenance, 3 independent builders have concurred it is perfectly sound for renovation.
- FWS has accompanied us into the property multiple times without any mention of a health risk.
- The properly is on upland and water does not reach the outside of the house even during past 20 year's worst floods. The basement floor is below the ground water line, common to many cottages in the region. This can be easily remedied and is a non issue.
- Read the current, detailed House Health report from the building advisor who has checked on the house biannually since Feb 5, 2016. This FAQ is of no concern as Support the Pink House has a Restoration Partner who has evaluated the property and will restore it at his own expense.
What has the Service done to save the house from demolition?
FWS says: In response to community members, the Service has worked diligently with landowners, elected officials, and local advocacy groups for more than seven years to find an equal-value land exchange. While several promising leads were pursued, none were ultimately successful. In the interest of safety, and to ensure the house remained intact to affect an exchange, staff maintained the house to prevent catastrophic damage. For reasons outlined above, this approach is no longer feasible.
- FWS' reasoning for backing out of a land exchange is inaccurate.
- Backing out is not in the best interest of the community or the taxpayer.
- Backing out does not best meet the FWS mission. (see below).
FWS says: Removal of the Pink House would create an opportunity to enhance both the future resiliency and public access opportunities of this area. This would include repurposing the existing driveway into a small parking area and constructing an accessible observation platform. An area that has long been closed to public access would afford a unique opportunity for people of all abilities to experience and learn about the Great Marsh ecosystem from a unique vantage point.
- The most significant result of the FWS demolishing the Pink House will be that the out-reaching community, visitors, photographers, painters and other local artisans will forever lose a beloved, cultural icon.
- FWS will also bring upon itself an incredible amount of ill will that it absolutely does not need given its history in the community. They say they expect this but are not accounting for the biggest consequences we saw while looking for land for FWS in the region - people do not want to sell their land to FWS due to seeing how The Pink House has been handled. Townships and landowners with very desirable holdings are saying no to FWS outreach. That thwarts the heart of their mission. We don't want to see that happen.
- The proposed $36,000 parking lot with a few benches and fencing will mean passers-by will see a parking lot and cars instead of a beautifully restored iconic landmark.
- The FWS proposed rest area will be anything but unique. Just a short walk down the road Greenbelt offers a parking for more cars, the same view - and you can run dogs, while FWS has added that they intend to fence off the area to prevent wandering and do not welcome pets.
- This opposes the FWS's core mission "to work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people."
- By demolishing the Pink House, the FWS will throw away upward of $500,000 of taxpayers' dollars. A Yellow Book assessed asset worth $425,000 and $50-90,000 FWS estimates for demolition expenses + $36,000+ expenses for building a parking lot and viewing platform.
- When the grandfathered Pink House is removed, this acre that FWS claims is too monetarily valuable to declare surplus or give back to the town of Newbury, will drop from $425,000 to approximately $25-40,000.
- Whereas trading the Pink House will result in the FWS gaining multiple acres of truly valuable ecological land while giving up just one acre on a busy turnpike under an active airstrip, with farming activity around it - an acre NOT of high ecological value.
Is the Pink House listed on the National Register of Historic Places?
FWS says: No. In 2011, the Massachusetts Historical Commission determined that the house does not meet the criteria for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and is therefore ineligible.
- Massachusetts Historical Commission has stated the Pink House is "included in the Inventory of Historic and Archaeological Assets of the Commonwealth and is significant for its architecture, associations and/or archeology, and qualified for the protection of a perpetual preservation restriction". STPH has created that preservation restriction (PR), and had it approved by the town of Newbury Historical Commission and the Select Board. The Pink House will be 100 years in 2025. The plan is to see it restored by then according to this perpetual Preservation Restriction.
- Many houses like The Pink House that are not on the national register are revered for their historical significance, cultural influence and importance to its ever-expanding community. Don't allow FWS to use that to justify their actions. In answer to the Preservation Act, FWS has acquired and maintains over 5000 houses, and about half are not on the national register. There is no reason The Pink House can't be under the same protections if FWS chose. Several have reached out to their National Directors on this and gotten no response.
MORE ACTION ITEMS: SUBMIT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
WE need A LOT of letters arriving all the time! Your letters will keep the conversation going, and that is a valuable contribution.
SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWS, POSTS & SHARES
THE POWER OF INFLUENCE FOR GOOD!
KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST NEWS On Our Website
WE need A LOT of letters arriving all the time! Your letters will keep the conversation going, and that is a valuable contribution.
- Newburyport Daily News: 400-words through their online form at: https://www.newburyportnews.com/site/forms/online_services/letter
- Boston Globe: 200-word letters should be sent exclusively to the Globe at [email protected], and must include the sender’s name, address, and phone number. They will only contact you (within 10 days max) if they are going to use yours. Please keep trying!
- Write to any local paper! The further the word goes, the better. We have signatures from people all over New England wanting to keep The Pink House.
- You are opposed to the demolition or auction (thus must be moved) and want the Fish & Wildlife Service to accept an offered land swap. The FWS will collect many benefits, and to let STPH’s Partner restore it.
- Businesses benefit from TPH bringing people here from everywhere, who then shop, eat, rent or buy here, especially in the off-season.
- You’re an artist who supplements their income from Pink House art.
- How culture, architecture, history and nature make the area unique and are part of why you live and pay taxes here.
- Your cause earned money through Pink House Art at a fundraiser/charity event.
SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWS, POSTS & SHARES
THE POWER OF INFLUENCE FOR GOOD!
- Comment on our posts, and "Like" them.
- Post on our social media but also on your own.
- Your own posts reaches new people, and sharing any PH post to other pages you belong to really helps too!
KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST NEWS On Our Website
- Read our BLOG regularly
- Join our Newsletter by visiting our website.
PRESS
North Shore Magazine Article Nov 2023 |
Daily News Article Nov 2 2023
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