Public Testimony Archive
One of the longstanding activities of the organization is to provide input to public reviews of proposed developments and to other government processes on relevant environmental issues.
VCS regularly submits testimony to Town boards, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, and other state and federal agencies on issues ranging from housing and land use to habitat protection and community planning. The following summaries highlight key areas of our ongoing advocacy.
Below is a selection of recent testimony submitted by VCS to Town boards, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, and other state and federal agencies. These examples represent some of the most notable and ongoing issues we continue to address.
Housing & Development
- Big House Bylaw, West Tisbury Planning Board
- Meetinghouse Way Subdivision, June 2020, and February 2019, Martha’s Vineyard Commission
- Navigator Homes, Martha’s Vineyard Commission
- MV Housing Bank, Housing Bank Review Committee
- Workforce Housing, Edgartown Zoning Board of Appeals
Land Use & Habitat Protection
- Special Ways DCPC, Martha’s Vineyard Commission
- Habitat Take Mitigation, Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP)
Infrastructure & Energy
- West Tisbury Cell Tower, West Tisbury Zoning Board of Appeals
- Shipyard Expansion, Martha’s Vineyard Commission
- Ocean Carbon Capture (Geoengineering), US Environmental Protection Agency
Artificial Turf Sports Fields
VCS has been involved for more than six years in advocacy around a proposal to install one or more artificial turf playing fields at the Regional High School. Joining with colleague groups and concerned citizens, VCS has submitted numerous letters and oral testimony to various boards and committees, including:
- Written testimony, Oak Bluffs Board of Health (Nov. 27, 2023)
- Written testimony, Mass. Legislature (July 26, 2023)
- Oral testimony (starts ~35:30), Oak Bluffs Planning Board (April 21, 2022)
- Written testimony, OBPB (Dec. 14, 2021)
- Written testimony, MV Regional High School (Nov. 15, 2018)
- Written testimony, MV Commission DRI referral (July 15, 2016)
Additional Areas
- Plastic Bag Ban & Bottle Bill, Mass Legislature (House)
- “Nip” Bottle Ban, Edgartown Select Board
- Katama Meadows subdivision, Martha’s Vineyard Commission
- Boatyards in Residential Zones: Oak Bluffs Planning Board; MV Commission
- Swimming Place Path (Ancient Way), Edgartown Select Board