Approved 10/07/20 mtg mins
Approved
Wellfleet Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 7, 2020
Remote Meeting
Attendees: Deborah Freeman, Michael Fisher, Leon Shreves, Barbara Brennessel, Ben Fairbank, John Portnoy, Agent Hillary Greenberg Lemos, and Christine Bates, Committee Secretary.
Regrets: John Cumbler
4:00 - Business Meeting & Conservation Agent's Report
Vessels / Boats: Suzanne Thomas, Denny O’Connell, Nancy Civetta, Richard Rediker, Anne Yudowitz, Will Sullivan, Ann Fausto-Sterling, and Jim…………. joined the Commission for the discussion. Agent Greenberg-Lemos displayed photographs of the various beaches (both Town owned and private) with boats left on the shore. Kayaks, canoes, wind surfers, and dinghies were displayed on both sand and beach grasses. Denny O’Connell stated there are 20 kayaks on racks at Old Wharf Point. However, there are several vessels on beach vegetation as well. He stated there are some issues with shell fisherman’s vessels that are unidentified. Stickers were placed on 6 vessels notifying the owners that they were in violation and when the vessels were not moved, the Conservation Trust removed them from the beach. 4 were back on the beach within a short time and 2 have remained there. He has made arrangements with the DPW to remove the boats that are not on the racks. There was discussion about educating people instead of punishing them. Suzanne Thomas stated there is a waiting list with 60 names on it for use of racks. There are currently 100 spots at Gull Pond, 16 at Powers Landing, 40 at Mayo Beach, and 20 at Pleasant Point. The owners pay for the stickers for utilizing the racks. She stated many shell fishermen use canoes and they leave their vessels in the intertidal areas. Nancy Civetta stated she would ask the shell fishermen to identify their vessels with their names and phone numbers. Deborah Freeman recommended the shell fishermen have a unique color or sticker to identify their vessels. Anne Yudowitz stated there are several shell fishermen’s boats at King Phillip landing; Agent Greenberg-Lemos identified the property as Commonwealth of MA land. Conversation included the need to educate vacationers and private property owners of the damage caused by leaving boats on vegetation. Agent Greenberg-Lemos stated it will be difficult to monitor and control the vessels and there’s a need ro establish working relationship with the various Town departments. Agent Greenberg-Lemos stated that all the Town beaches are already maxed out for any additional racks. She recommends putting signs out in spring advising people to remove their vessels. John Portnoy stated that the Town should decide on a maximum number of racks for boats along the shoreline, and then require that boats must be stored on racks and not on beach or dune vegetation. Michael Fisher recommended putting poles up that have eye hooks which the vessels could be tethered to. Ben Fairbank, Michael Fisher and Barbara Brennessel will work as a sub-committee to recommend ground rules, signs, and locations for vessels.
Mail / Discussion: no mail
Jurisdictional Opinions: none
Agent Greenberg-Lemos read a letter from Peter Hall’s family who would like to replace a damaged wood bench with a granite bench and engrave their parents name on it. There is a Conservation Restriction, held by the Town, on the property and Denny O’Connell will review the restrictions.
Meeting Minutes: Barbara Brennessel moved to approve the amended September 23 meeting minutes; seconded by John Portnoy. VOTE: Barbara Brennessel aye; John Portnoy aye; Leon Shreves aye; Ben Fairbank aye; Michael Fisher aye; Deborah Freeman aye. 6-0
5:00 - Public Hearings:
Weisman, 106 Fox Island Rd., Map 28, Parcel 228, RDA, construct new deck, replace sono tubes (Cont’d). At the request of the applicant, this hearing will be continued to November 4, 2020.
Kane¸30 Higgins Lane, Map 15, Parcel 119: Request for Certificate of Compliance. Peter Kane stated the project was completed and all debris was removed. John Portnoy moved to approve the Certificate of Compliance; seconded by Michael Fisher. VOTE: Leon Shreves aye; John Portnoy aye; Ben Fairbank aye; Barbara Brennessel aye; Michael Fisher aye; and Deborah Freeman aye. 6-0
Moore, 99 Way 60, Map 19, Parcel 13: RDA, after the fact 8’ x 6’ shed within river front. Mrs. Moore stated they were not aware of the regulations when they constructed the shed. It is partly on a foundation and stone. Michael Fisher pointed out the area is already disturbed. He also pointed out a tree was cut down and another had fallen. Mrs. Moore stated they will remove the debris within one week. There is concern with the bank eroding and the Moores will file an application for native plantings. John Portnoy identified the RDA as a Negative 2; seconded by Michael Fisher. VOTE Barbara Brennessel aye; Ben Fairbank aye; Leon Shreves aye; John Portnoy aye; Michael Fisher aye; and Deborah Freeman abstaining 5-0-1.
McDavitt, 99 Holbrook Ave., Map 20, Parcel 136, RDA. Paul McDavitt requested his hearing be reopened for an RDA. It was not advertised on the Town website so the Commission could not reopen it. It will be heard on October 21, 2020.
Business Meeting resumed at 5:15 pm
John Portnoy stated he would like the author of the Horsley Witten report on Wellfleet salt marsh migration potential to come to one of our business meetings to explain their rating criteria. .
The Cape Cod Commission will be holding a climate action group virtual meeting on October 8, 2020.
Michael Fisher moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:20 pm; seconded by Leon Shreves. VOTE: Michael Fisher, aye; Barbara Brennessel aye; Leon Shreves aye; Ben Fairbank aye; John Portnoy aye; and Deborah Freeman aye. 6-0
Respectfully submitted,
Christine Bates, Committee Secretary
Paperwork submitted:
Kane: Request for Certificate of Compliance
Moore: Request for Determination of Applicability paperwork and backup