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Board members urge Southampton Historical Museum to reconsider eviction of Conscience Point hatchery used for student programs
Summary
During public comment a trustee and others expressed concern about the Southampton Historical Museum's reported eviction notice to the Conscience Point Shellfish Hatchery, noting the hatchery's student volunteer programs and its ecological role; trustees said the issue may affect future proposition support and will be monitored.
A board member publicly expressed dismay about an eviction notice to the Conscience Point Shellfish Hatchery from the Southampton Historical Museum, urging the museum to "rethink their recent radical shifts in policies with Conscience Point's lease and come to a resolution as soon as possible." The commenter described the hatchery as a "grassroots driven nonprofit" that grows oysters to improve local waters and provides educational opportunities for students across the district.
Another trustee said the hatchery had introduced substantial restoration work and student engagement, noting that last year it "took 1,800,000 shellfish into the water, which clean up our waterways, our bays." Trustees pointed out that the historical museum receives a portion of its budget through a proposition that appears on the same ballot process the board approves; several members said the board will need to weigh whether to support museum-related propositions if the relationship with the hatchery is not resolved.
Board members urged both organizations to meet and resolve differences and said they will monitor developments and discuss the matter further when relevant petitions or ballot questions arise in March.
Next steps: Trustees will monitor the situation and consider the hatchery/museum relationship in advance of any ballot decisions or formal propositions.
