Dear Editor:

This month, Alna’s selectmen signed a mediation agreement with Jeff Spinney about the permanent boat ramp he excavated into the Sheepscot River tidal marsh in December. This agreement allows Spinney to keep his private ramp, with supposed use restrictions, even though the ramp violates our Shoreland Zoning Ordinance’s prohibition of “permanent structures.”

The abutters who participated in the mediation did not sign the agreement.

Alna’s selectmen threw in their lot with the ramp-building applicant, who threatened to take the town to court over his previously denied shoreland zoning permits. They ignored objections raised by the abutters and dozens of other Alna and Newcastle residents.

No waterfront landowner above the reversing falls in Sheepscot Village has a permanent stone launch ramp into the river, until now. With good reason: they are illegal under Alna’s SZO. Several landowners, including Mr. Spinney, install temporary docks and floats each season. These are adequate for launching small motor boats, canoes, and kayaks, and do not permanently damage the shoreline and tidal marsh.

Third Selectman Greg Shute said signing the agreement is “what I honestly feel is in the best interest of the town.” Second Selectman Doug Baston said, “there is nothing wrong with what Mr. Spinney is doing.” (The recused First Selectman is Mr. Spinney’s wife.) However, the only “best interest” expressed by the selectmen was the need to “move on,” that they are tired of dealing with this matter.

As are we all. But this does not make signing the agreement right, or in the long-term best interests of the town. Spinney’s ramp sets the precedent that permanent ramps are allowed, opening the door to more shoreland zone conflicts. The use restrictions in the settlement agreement will be difficult or impossible to enforce.

The agreement shows that aggressive, uncivil persistence by a town insider can achieve results not available to the rest of us.

The settlement agreement has not brought an end to the matter, which will go before Alna’s Board of Appeals. Instead, by giving in the selectmen are promoting divisions in town, supporting an environmentally damaging precedent, and prolonging a painful dispute.

Jon Luoma

Alna