Residents split on climate warrant; conservation volunteers press dune protections

At its June 2 meeting the Wells select board heard competing public comments on Warrant Article 25 and multiple pleas for dune protections to safeguard nesting plovers and terns.

Opposition and support for Article 25 Steve Kenninger urged voters to reject Article 25, arguing there is "no direct relationship between carbon and, global warming" and calling the enhanced‑greenhouse science "contestable," citing research he said came from the American Enterprise Institute. In contrast, Patricia O'Neil urged support, saying implementation costs to the town would be "minimal" and that the article "directs our federal representatives" toward fossil‑fuel pricing and a faster transition to clean energy. Her remarks referenced Stanford University research on climate impacts.

Dunes, plovers and public ways Several residents described severe erosion and frequent off‑trail use on dunes at the northern end of town and urged stronger protections for Public Ways 14–16. "There's an enormous amount of foot traffic and dog traffic in those dunes," said Vince Capasso, calling for permanent signage, snow fences and other physical protections. A local volunteer reported new plover nests near Drake's and a higher count of nesting terns and clovers this year; volunteers asked the board to consider temporary closures of vulnerable access points during nesting season and stronger enforcement of existing beach management rules.

Board response and next steps Board members acknowledged the concerns; staff and volunteers offered to provide workshops and additional information. No ordinance changes or closures were adopted at the meeting; the board scheduled separate public hearings for other agenda items (for example, the data‑center moratorium).