All meetings in Wellfleet are remote only and can be watched online. Go to wellfleet-ma.gov and click on the meeting you want to watch. Follow the instructions on the agenda.
Tuesday, Sept. 7
- Recycling Committee, 11 a.m.
- Energy and Climate Action Committee, 7:15 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 9
- Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m.
Paddleboard Permission
Benten Niggel, a 2019 Nauset High School graduate and owner of Paddle Cape Cod, got the OK at a recent select board meeting to continue drop off and pick up of kayaks and paddleboards at Wellfleet ponds and town landings other than Gull Pond.
Niggel applied to use town landings and beaches through 2021. The select board granted his request on Aug. 27, but not without asking a few questions.
Will Sullivan, the harbormaster, said Niggel had made statements about a having a rescue vessel and the ability to rescue people in his letter to the town.
“I am sure you are not trained or insured for rescue, and that is a dangerous thing to say,” Sullivan said. “It strikes me that you are running a little fast and loose.”
Niggel said his tour guides are CPR certified and he does have a boat that one day will be outfitted for rescue.
Niggel, who began his business right out of high school, added, “I am young, but I have always thought about safety.”
Edward Sievers of Wellfleet, an observer at the meeting, said Paddle Cape Cod “seems to be an offshoot of Willy’s in Eastham. Is that true?”
“Our business address is in the parking lot of Willy’s Gym, but, no, this business is mine,” Niggel said. “I am not sure what you are trying to get at, but I think we should keep the dialogue focused on Paddle Cape Cod.”
“It seems it is an offshoot of Willy’s,” Sievers said.
“It is not an offshoot of Willy’s,” Niggle replied.
At that point, the select board chair, Ryan Curley, muted both parties, as is his practice when discussions heat up.
As for Paddle Cape Cod, the select board heard only one complaint. This year, the company’s paddleboards were left at Long Pond for hours and had to be retrieved by the beach department, said Suzanne Grout Thomas, director of community services. Niggel said that incident was due to illness and would not happen again. —K.C. Myers