Tisbury selectmen have sent a letter of endorsement to the Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) in support of a Ralph Packer request that two harborside parcels occupied by Tisbury Towing and Transportation and R.M. Packer Co. be granted designated port area status.
While a long application process still lies ahead, CMZ officials have previously said designated port areas are nearly impossible to create without the support of local government.
Richard Andre, president of Vineyard Power, and engineer Susan Nilson requested the board’s support on Jan. 29, and got it. Andre hopes to build a marine terminal on the Packer parcels, meant to berth service boats for the burgeoning offshore wind industry. In November, the board made a site visit to the parcels with harbormaster John Crocker, after listening to a presentation of the proposed facility at Vineyard Power headquarters. Among other benefits, becoming a designated port area would help the proposed offshore wind servicing hub sidestep red tape, including zoning restrictions.
A port designation would open the very real possibility of industrial development of our harbour. The beautiful waterfront we all love could be ruined. Time for a new board of selectmen.
Well let’s not stand in the way of the BOS to support Ralphy and his private empire. And just to make a point of order to Quest… I think they’ve already destroyed the beautiful water front without a port designation. Leaky old rusty boats and oil tanks, welcome to the vineyard everyone!