Meetings Ahead
Most meetings in Eastham are in-person, typically with an online-attendance option. Go to eastham-ma.gov and click on the meeting you are interested in for details. All meetings are at Town Hall unless otherwise indicated.
Thursday, Oct. 26
- Council on Aging Board of Directors, 9 a.m.
- Board of Health, 3 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 28
- Climate Action Committee, 10 a.m., Public Library
Monday, Oct. 30
- Select Board, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 1
- Community Preservation Act Committee, 5 p.m.
- Deadline for filing real estate and personal property abatement applications, 4 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 2
- Board of Assessors, 11 a.m.
- Nauset Regional Middle School Advisory Council, 3:30 p.m., Nauset Regional Middle School Room 269
- Zoning Board of Appeals, 5 p.m.
Conversation Starters
No to a Stone Revetment
The conservation commission voted at its Oct. 10 meeting to deny a permit to construct a stone revetment at 165 Shurtleff Road.
While properties on either side of 165 Shurtleff have stone revetments, the commissioners pointed to the date the home was built, sometime between 1999 and 2001. A state DEP Wetlands Protection Act regulation prohibits stone revetments on properties built after Aug. 10, 1978.
Bob Perry of Cape Cod Engineering, representing property owners Gary and Shirley Brothers, argued that the coastal bank serves as a vertical storm buffer. “We’re not saying it’s not a sediment source, but we are underscoring its extraordinary value as a vertical storm buffer,” said Perry.
DEP had not appealed local approvals of similar “narrow gap projects,” said Perry. A geotextile SEAbag revetment has been in place at the property for the last 10 to 12 years — and it needs to be reworked about every 10 years.
“There are other options we can explore, but not a stone revetment,” said commission member Michael Hanett, who voted to deny the permit.
“Revetments cause changes to sand flow,” said Hanett, “which we’ve experienced this year on three major beaches in Eastham.”
Commission member Charles Wagner, who along with Gregory Douglas voted to approve the permit, argued that the DEP regulations allow a revetment on post-1978 property when it will prevent storm damage to buildings constructed prior to the 1978 rule.
“Sooner or later if this gap is left open, erosion is going to creep up both sides and it’s going to be going toward houses that are pre-’78,” Wagner said. “We’re going to be hearing from them. It’s just a matter of time.” —Linda Culhane
