To the editor:
Tuesday night, Oct. 27, at the Newbury Round School was one of those moments that define a community. People from all corners of Newbury came together to take swift action to help save Plum Island. It would be impossible to thank all of the people who contributed so much to make this happen.
I want to thank Congressman John Tierney and his staff for their efforts to help Plum Island. Without John's commitment and the support of Sen. Kerry and Sen. Kennedy, no beach restoration project would be taking place and the ongoing studies to find a solution to Plum Island's unnatural erosion would not be underway.
When others would have been discouraged, Sen. Bruce Tarr kept us focused. He and Selectman Vince Russo's leadership over the last 18 months along with the 30-plus members of the MRBA demonstrated a new spirit of cooperation between regulatory agencies, property owners and coastal communities.
Without the support of Commissioner Rick Sullivan of DCR and his staff, general counsel Gary Davis, chief engineer Raul Silva, this project would not be happening. Gary and Raul went above and beyond the call of duty, working nights and weekends meeting with property owners and attending meetings.
Without the cooperation of Commissioner Laurie Burt of DEP and her staff, Richard Chalpin, regional director, Eric Worrall, Northeast office, permitting and final design would not be complete. Eric's guidance and commitment to this project, his emergency visits during storm events late at night or on weekends to assist Newbury's Conservation Commission chair Doug Packer in saving homes will not be forgotten.
The leadership of selectmen Chair Joe Story and the entire board: Island residents have become used to seeing Joe, Vince, Geof Walker, Mike Bulgaris and Audrey Keller all hours monitoring and assisting our emergency response team.
Our emergency response team has had so much practice, they make it look all but routine to rally at all hours of the day or night, moving equipment, materials while protecting our homes and roadways.
Recently while helping a friend move belongings out of their Northern Boulevard cottage, I watched with amazement as police Chief Mike Reilly pulled up to man the emergency command post followed by DPW Chief Tim Leonard with his arm in a cast, set up emergency lights, run heavy equipment. Tim brings a can-do attitude. A familiar face was operating the front-end loader placing sand between homes hoping to prevent a breach; the operator was police Lt. John Lucy, crime fighter by day, emergency equipment operator by night. All of the above are salaried employees or donated their time.
Newbury is blessed to have so many unsung heroes: Town Administrator Chuck Kostro, Building Inspector Sam Joslin and Town Counsel Tony Penski. In these tight fiscal times, overtime is unheard of, but that does not stop our emergency responders. It's not a job; it's an adventure to be part of team Newbury!
I'm proud to be a member of this community and thankful as a resident of Plum Island to you all.
Bob Connors
Plum Island Foundation
