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, Jan. 27
- School Council, 3:30 p.m.
- School Committee, 5:15 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 31
- Local Comprehensive Plan Committee, 10 a.m.
- Budget Task Force, 4:30 p.m.
- Historical Commission, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 1
- Economic Development Forum, 11 a.m.
- Community Preservation Committee, 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 2
- Walsh Property Community Planning Committee, 6:30 p.m.
Conversation Starters
Doomed on the Dune
Ballston Beach was not spared from the waves and winds that walloped the Outer Cape on Jan. 17, leaving the house overlooking the ocean at 133 South Pamet Road in limbo. The storm drastically eroded the dune, exposing the dwelling’s support timbers.
“If left alone, that house is probably going to go over the edge,” said Ben Zehnder, the lawyer representing the property’s owners, at a Jan. 24 zoning board of appeals hearing.
Thomas and Kathleen Dennis bought the property in 2014 for $825,000. Their property is currently assessed at $786,200, including $247,900 for the 1,500-square-foot dwelling.
The Dennises moved the house back from the edge in 2015, and last November they were represented by Zehnder before the ZBA to discuss a strategy to move the house back even further as the bluff weathers away.
James Whitelaw, the owner of the abutting property at 127 South Pamet Road, had agreed to allow the Dennises to relocate their house to the northwest corner of his lot. That property, however, already contains two dwellings.
Zehnder approached the ZBA hoping to secure either a special permit or a variance to allow the Whitelaw property to accommodate a third dwelling. The hearing was continued to Jan. 24, and at that meeting, no variance was issued by the ZBA.
“There is an emergency,” acknowledged Barbara Carboni, the town planner and land use counsel, “but the question is: does it need to be resolved by zoning? And does it need to be resolved by zoning relief — tonight?”
The ZBA ultimately decided unanimously on another continuance for 90 days.
“If we don’t get any action or relief from this board, I’m going to look at other ways to solve this problem,” Zehnder said, “such as seeking an emergency authorization with a building inspector to move the house.” —Jasmine Lu
