Edgartown housing advocate steps down

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Alan Gowell, an advocate for affordable housing in Edgartown, resigned from the affordable housing committee Monday, at the selectmen’s regular meeting.

Selectmen refused to accept the resignation, until they had made an attempt to get Mr. Gowell to change his mind. Mr. Gowell has served on the committee for 15 years.

“The increasing demands of running a small business have made it difficult for me to sustain a reliable attendance record at committee meetings,” Mr. Gowell wrote in his letter.

In a conversation with The Times on Tuesday, Mr. Gowell said his decision is not based on any disagreement within the committee, or over the direction of the town’s affordable housing initiatives.

“I’ve been an advocate for housing for a long time,” Mr. Gowell said. “I want to make room for someone who has more time and energy. I remain enthusiastic for this work. I just don’t have the time and energy.”

Also at Monday’s meeting, Janet Hathaway said she wants to step back from her role as chairman of the affordable housing committee next September, though she said she wants to remain on the committee.