Chatham Conservation Commission Continues Six Shorefront Applications, Issues Three Compliance Certificates

CHATHAM — September 8, 2021 — Chatham Conservation Commission continued six active shorefront applications and approved three certificates of compliance at its June 9 remote hearing. Chair Janet Williams and a seven-member panel, including commissioners Bob Rawls, Bob Delvecchio, Tom Clark, Karen Latton, and Associate Commissioner Terry Sullivan, sent nearly every substantive item back for additional information. A proposed pool and deck at 543 Old Harbor Road drew the longest debate, with commissioner Delvecchio calling the 40-by-20-foot pool too large for its wetland-adjacent location and multiple abutters citing concerns about wildlife habitat and precedent. At 32 Old Salt Works Road, attorneys and engineers sparred over whether a pre-1978 home rebuilt in a new location retains the right to future coastal engineering structures, with Clark arguing "the plain meaning of the language is very straightforward" against reconstruction and engineer Dawn Munroe countering that stripping that right would penalize owners who move homes away from eroding banks. A dredging application covering four Lippie Run properties received a final continuance to September 22 after COVID-related vessel failures delayed a required hydrographic survey, with the commission warning that no further extensions would be granted.