EDITOR’S NOTE ~ PLEASE READ TO THE END AND DONATE TODAY. EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR DONATED WILL HELP GET US ONE STEP CLOSER! Link to donate: SAVE OUR SHORES
Save Our Shores Gloucester (SOSG), a group working to protect Gloucester’s undeveloped coastline, signed a purchase and sales agreement for $75,000 to buy 4 lots at 166-178 Atlantic Road owned by Cheryl Soones. The group intends to protect and preserve this land for the public in perpetuity. The sale will close in mid-April.
For months, these lots have been under assault by developers who wanted to build houses on the ocean side of Atlantic Road and prohibit public access. SOSG members fought them every step of the way- at the Conservation Commission, the Planning Board, and City Council, where hundreds of people turned out in protest. Undeterred by community opposition, the developers returned with larger and more elaborate plans. Last week Cheryl Soones filed a lawsuit against the City requesting that the Back Shore Overlay District be declared invalid.
In light of these realities, SOSG is prepared for a long and expensive legal battle. The group hired land use attorney Jamy Madeja, of Buchanan and Associates, and sought out the best experts in land conservation, and protection of natural habitats. They worked closely with Marilyn Hyde, a local real estate broker, to secure the land.
These tactics worked! SOSG is thrilled that the land purchase is the least expensive and quickest strategy by far, for ensuring preservation of these lots on the Back Shore. As Madeja exclaimed, “The best way to assure public safety and public access, visual and physical, for centuries to come, is to buy these properties and preserve them, on the deeds. These local heroes are doing this for everyone. I’m proud to be associated with them. This is the best possible outcome. “
Now the group needs to raise $100,000 for the sale and purchase, closing costs, and legal fees. As Marty Del Vecchio, a leader of the group points out, “”We urgently need to raise this money and have it in hand by April 12th, just a few short weeks away. We need the support of those who love the Back Shore; please donate so that this tremendous opportunity to preserve this land is not lost.”
Donate now and own a piece of the Back Shore Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to the Gloucester Fund, 45 Middle St., Gloucester MA 01930. Please add SOSG to the memo line. Donations may also be made through GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/sosgloucester.
For more information, contact Barbara Silberman at barb@sosgloucester.org.
Good Morning Gloucester 