Most meetings in Truro are remote. Go to truro-ma.gov and click on the meeting you want to watch. The agenda includes instructions on how to join.
Thursday, March 3
- Economic Development Committee, 9 a.m.
- Climate Action Commission, 10:30 a.m.
Monday, March 7
- Local Comprehensive Plan Committee, 11 a.m.
- Conservation Commission, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, March 8
- Council on Aging, 9 a.m.
Wednesday, March 9
- Planning Board, 4:30 p.m.
Conversation Starters
Growing ‘Weeds’
Wesley and Susan Chapman, owners of the property at 42 Great Hollow Road, will have to replant coastal hair grass, bayberry, beach plum, and other native shrubs on a curb cut they installed without receiving permission from the town building and conservation departments.
The illegal curb cut eliminated two of the 22 parking spots at Great Hollow Beach, according to Damion Clements, the recreation and beach director.
The Chapmans told DPW Director Jarrod Cabral that they intended to use the curb cut as a pathway for package and propane deliveries, and for beach access.
But in a Feb. 1 memo to Town Manager Darrin Tangeman, Cabral pointed out that the Chapmans already have a primary curb cut leading into their existing driveway, which “appears suitable to accommodate deliveries.” The home owners, Cabral added, also have a private staircase leading to the beach.
On Feb. 22, the Chapmans tried to get a permission to keep the curb cut, but the select board raised concerns over traffic and safety, especially in summer.
Board chair Bob Weinstein said he found the Chapmans’ request “off-putting.” Later he added, “For an owner of private property to ignore the policy and then come back to ask us for permission is, to be impolite, totally ass-backwards.”
The board unanimously denied the Chapmans’ curb cut application. The board then asked the home owners to remove the stone and edging they had installed and also to restore the town-owned portion of the curb cut to its natural state by replanting the spot with coastal vegetation. The Chapmans have 60 days to do this before they are fined up to $300 a day for noncompliance.
Wesley Chapman agreed to these terms, but when it came to those coastal grasses and shrubs, he said, “I will just mention that replanting is replanting with weeds because that’s what was there.” —Jasmine Lu
