Meetings Ahead
Most meetings in Eastham are in person, typically with an online-attendance option. Click on the meeting you want to attend on the calendar at eastham-ma.gov for a link to an agenda and details. All meetings are at Town Hall unless otherwise indicated.
Thursday, May 16
- School Improvement Committee, 2:15 p.m.
- Nauset Regional Middle School Advisory Council, 3 p.m., NRMS Room 269
Monday, May 20
- Visitors Tourism and Promotion Services Board, 3:30 p.m., Chamber of Commerce
- Select Board, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 21
- Town Election, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Board of Library Trustees, 4 p.m., Public Library
- Recycling Committee, 5 p.m., Public Library
Thursday, May 23
- Council on Aging Board of Directors, 9 a.m.
Conversation Starter
Pressure Treated Pressure
There hasn’t been any movement in the debate over the use of pressure-treated wood for foundation pilings at 345 Harmes Way since the March meeting when an attorney for builder Tim Klink told the conservation commission to “stand down” and rescind its wetlands violation notice.
Eastham’s wetlands regulations prohibit such use of pressure-treated wood in marine environments. But attorney Glenn Wood, representing Klink, said the Mass. building code trumps local regulations.
Town Counsel Alexander Weisheit of KP Law, asked to weigh in, warned that the commission’s regulations regarding pressure-treated wood could be subject to legal challenge and suggested that the commission amend its regulations to instead express a “strong preference” for non-pressure-treated wood and to back it up with a scientific study.
Last week, two new filings for 345 Harmes Way were submitted that will likely raise the issue again. One seeks a certificate of compliance to certify the completion of the building project. The other is a notice of intent to replace some planted beach grass and cedars that failed to become established. A planning plan meant as mitigation for a list of deviations from the project originally approved by the conservation commission.
The commission is scheduled to discuss the filings on May 28, according to Conservation Agent Alex Bates.
“We trust that we can close this matter with the Con Com based on these filings,” Wood said. —Christine Legere
