Chilmark names climate change working group

Updated 2:40 pm

Chilmark selectmen approved a six-member climate change working group Tuesday in an effort to address climate issues facing Chilmark.

The group was formed by selectman Jim Malkin, and is comprised of himself, town building inspector Lenny Jason, historical commission chairman Jane Slater, the town’s Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) representative, Rob Doyle, and Chilmark residents Gary Mottau and Peter Neilley.

Malkin told his fellow selectmen the group would come up with a prioritized list to address climate change in Chilmark by meeting with other town departments and committees for input.

After those meetings, the group will have two informational meetings with townspeople about what they have come up with. Malkin said they will encourage other towns to support their plans and send them to the MVC. Once priorities are established, they will create smaller working groups, some of which will work in tandem with the town’s energy committee. A staff member from the MVC will also sit in on group meetings. Malkin added that some of these projects could be long-term, citing Menemsha as a possible project.

“We’ve got a couple people with science backgrounds, we’ve got our building inspector,” Malkin said. “I think it’s a pretty good mix.”

Updated to correct the spelling of Gary Mottau and Peter Neilley — Ed.