Gil Tenney is a longtime resident of Castine. His family has been coming to Castine for over 125 years and both his mother and father worked at the MMA.

Dear Editor:

I am shocked by what appears to be gross irresponsibility by the MMA trustees in their decision to purchase Abbott House, a historic Castine landmark, for $1.45 million, in violation of the town’s zoning ordinance. With a change of administration taking place in the next two to three years, there has been no attempt by the trustees to explain the long-term fate of this property. (See Ellsworth American, Oct. 11, “Castine, MMA Going to Court”).

A recent legal opinion supports Castine’s zoning ordinance precluding the use of Abbott House, located in a residential zone, by MMA, whose uses are restricted to an established institutional zone. If the trustees did not know of the town’s zoning restrictions, they made an inexcusable omission in their due diligence. If the trustees did know of the zoning restrictions, the trustees were speculating they could buy the property, challenge the ordinance and, if unsuccessful in that challenge, sell the property for a profit. As a Castine resident and taxpayer, I condemn such speculation and disregard for town laws and their intent.

The decision to make this purchase appears to have been made hastily by the trustees. No minutes of the meeting have been made available. Perhaps the trustees’ decision was made easier by the probability of obtaining $1.5 million from the upcoming November bond referendum (Question 3). The bond proceeds are intended to be used largely for “building renovations, improvements and additions.” However, to any reasonable person, it appears the bond will simply reimburse MMA’s budget for the Abbott House speculation. In the aftermath of corporate scandal, trustees of public institutions must avoid any semblance of impropriety.

Legal action has been initiated to seek a declaratory judgment on the zoning issue but such a judgment will still leave unanswered the questions of the trustees’ management of this institution and disregard for the town. The only resolution is for MMA to sell the property. We can only hope a buyer is found who is able to enjoy and preserve this magnificent property as it has been for so many years.

Gil Tenney
Castine

Ellsworth American 10/25/2007