Advisory Commission Meeting: September 15, 2025

Duration:

2 hours, 32 minutes, 18 seconds

Zoom recording of the September 15, 2025 Cape Cod National Seashore Federal Advisory Commission meeting.

 

CAPE COD NATIONAL SEASHORE ADVISORY COMMISSION THREE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH MEETING

HELD AT CAPE COD NATIONAL SEASHORE, Salt Pond Visitors Center, Eastham, Massachusetts, on Monday, September 15, 2025, commencing at 1 pm

SITTING:

Richard Delaney, Chair – absent
Heather McElroy, Acting Chair

Barnstable County
Sheila Lyons
Mark R. Forest - absent

Chatham
Thomas Dougherty - virtual
Theodore Keon, alternate - resigned

Eastham
David Crary
Joanna Stevens, alternate – absent

Orleans
Lawrence Spaulding - absent
John “Charlie” Carlson, alternate - virtual

Provincetown
Mary-Jo Avellar - absent
Leslie Sandberg, alternate – virtual

Truro
Susan Areson
Michael Fee, alternate - virtual

Wellfleet
Lilli-Ann Green
Wayne Clough, alternate

Commonwealth of MA
Leslie Ann Jonas - absent
Mark Robinson

Also present:
Jennifer S. Flynn, Superintendent
Leslie Reynolds, Deputy Superintendent
Adam Baghetti, IT Specialist
Cheryl Johnson, Executive Assistant

Heather McElroy called the 317^th CCNS Advisory Commission meeting to order.

Welcomed commission (present and virtual) and members of public.

Order of business

1. Adoption of agenda – agenda approved – all in favor - aye

2. Approval of the June meeting minutes – no additional corrections/edits in addition to those received by Cheryl – moved to approve - approved as amended – all in favor – aye

Report on State of the Park – Jennifer Flynn – see full transcript

HEATHER - After superintendent presentation on State of Park we will address old business; update from towns on ADUs, discuss rules of order; round robin to members future agenda topics, time for public comment at the end.

Jen provided update on Commission Member Business – all town with member nominations were received and submitted; explained the vetting process; Barnstable County, Chatham, Eastham, Orleans, Provincetown, Wellfleet, 1 for Truro; Governor’s appointees are on a different schedule and will expire in March 2026. Members are authorized to remain in position until new members are appointed. Members will receive appointment letters direct for DOI. Superintendent’s office will be notified separately. Federal Notice for Advisory Commission Chair and Alternate Chair nominations was submitted in May 2025. Has not been posted to date.

Discussion on next Advisory Commission meeting scheduled date of November 17^th was addressed. Poll was generated to members, responses were collected, and November 17^th was chosen, Federal Register Notice was submitted; Alternate Chair will keep November 17^th date. Continued commission discussion on the topic for the next meeting and Cape Cod Character was stressed. Decision was made to discuss Cape Cod Character at each future meeting(s).

Jennifer Flynn – State of the Park – see full transcript

Seashore History
NPS Mission
Natural Resources and Science

• Herring River Project

• Shorebird Mgmt.

• Fresh Water monitoring program

• Science Symposium will be held on September 25^th – members were encouraged to attend in-person or virtually

Interp, Education & Cultural Resources

• Penniman House – 2025 wallpaper work in Great Room

• Visitor Orientation

• Public Programs

• Tribal Connections

• Archives, Museum Collections

Visitor Resource & Protection

• Law Enforcement

• Lifeguards – 5 beaches (not @ Race Point in 2025)

• Trams

• Fee collection

• Concession and Permits

*New Fire Management Officer – Zach F*
Fire Management

Facilities, Maintenance

• Replace Marconi stairs and boardwalk

• Solar Panels @ park HQ – NPS funded

• Demo Bartlett house

• Road Paving – Eastham/Wellfleet

• Race Point – new vault toilets; new lifeguard facilities; upgrade changing rooms/shower facilities

Management & Administration

• Superintendent’s office

• Safety

• Lands and Planning Office – vacant

• Administration – backbone of the organization

Discussion on Projects by Town

Economic Benefit of having the Park within the six outer Cape towns – $534 Million economic - 2023

Provincetown
Route 6 – Shank Painter multi-modal trail
Public Water from wells at Highland Center
SUP to DPW store equipment in North District Maintenance yard
Airport lease
Climate Resilience

Truro
Road Widening Easements – Herring River Restoration Project raise road segments
Land exchange – Chamber of Commerce building on Park land; Truro needs to provide land in exchange for that property
Access Longnook beach access – completed that project
Lifeguard coverage at Head of the Meadow

Leslie Sandberg – agreement with PVC deal is that Truro provides water and Ptown provides the infrastructure – ACTION ITEM – Provincetown invite Jen to next meeting

Wellfleet
Road Widening Easements
Land Exchange – 3-way to support Herring River Restoration Project
Renew SUP Newcomb Hollow & Cahoon Hollow
Alcohol enforcement @ Cahoon Hollow
Herring River Restoration Project – impacted lands and restoration will occur on gov’t lands, but infrastructure is in the town

Eastham
Park project – Cable Rd multi-modal trail
Land exchange – need to build Nauset Light Rear Road
Water

• stormwater mitigation along Rt. 6 & Salt Pond Visitors Center

• sewer expansion

• public water

Coastal Erosion houses at riskNo slides with Orleans and Chatham

OLD BUSINESS

Heather: ADU subcommittee update – Subcommittee did not meet; nothing in particular to address. Asked if members had comments at local level?

Lilli-Ann – Wellfleet Selectboard memo Town planner took action decision; Select Board voted in favor similar to the Truro ruling ADU did pass 3 – 1; she represents the people in the community; there are many who support Select Board; there are also many that do not feel ADUs should be allowed in Wellfleet

Sheila – ADU discussion was the topic; vote was held; no public comment and no public input; In discussion with Ethics regarding the ability to vote; she doesn’t think it’s a dead issue in Wellfleet; need public inputTruro members discussed the ADU bylaw in Truro.Sheila – Affordable Homes Act – by right – Governor’s office says it doesn’t pertain to Federal Lands, Seasonal Communities Act says the NPS is excluded; we should go out of our way to protect these resources; death by 1,000 cuts – ongoing conversation still; have letters from Governor’s office reached local level; who can provide copy to the Commission?

ACTION ITEM
– Sheila indicated she could share the letters from Senator Cyr-

Leslie Sandberg indicated she would share Seasonal Community regulations with the Commission once released.
Commission Rules of Order – distribution to members.

New Business

Opportunity for commission members bring up news that focuses on the charter. Topics included in future coastal resilience, sand migration, and cape cod character

Dave – asked about signs – content, placement; - compendium rules Dog & Pet restrictions.

Jen – we had many signs placed last year; Leslie Reynolds is reviewing; we are happy to review any public comments

Mark – Houses at risk. Lots of house are coming down or should be coming down. How does park track? Does the Park have any numbers for that? Different tools – donate to park instead? How is outreach conducted? He can share how tax write offs can be done.

Jen – Local conservation has a role in condemnation; TOWNS have authority to take action; can we talk about best practices; what triggers that the house needs to come down – topic everyone can benefit on agree on

CHARLIE - serving as member today; reflecting on ideas for future topics.

1. seconding discussion on erosion and responses to it. Not just with respect to homes broader impact to seashore. Useful presentation to FACA on CACO impact on seashore operations; one of the biggest issues on the Cape. Broaden the discussion from homes to larger topic.

2. Sharks: how towns are responding to that risk; what has seashore done? Stop the Bleed kits? Does seashore have emerging technology worth considering. Sharks has immediate impact on development, Town input…what is each town doing?

3. Seashore could be doing more to expand concessions food trucks to beaches. Lots of beaches without any concessions. Benefit to public in different forms. Concessions t-shirts, toys, food, etc. New revenue for seashore? Opportunities exist for seashore to acquire more land. Has seashore pursued any land in recent years? Identify acquisition opportunities.

Leslie Sandberg– Sharks – Leslie Reynolds, Deputy Superintendent and I did report. Can we send that report? We can revisit. Echo erosion concerns – where are we losing and where are we gaining land? Divide between few different meetings. Thank the seashore Herring Cove and Race Point. Has sign issue will talk to Leslie direct.

Seashore did an entire presentation at the October 2024 meeting. All data is posted on the Advisory Commission page.

LILLI-ANN –

• Endorse shark topic; Brian Legere from Center for Coastal Studies did a great presentation. Bring in others? Barnstable did have subcommittee at some point. Lots of people still have questions on

• Fire; fire planning? Huge interest in that issue.

• Motion to write to the Secretary of the Interior – we are concerned that the BOEM wind turbine project is as a threat to the CCNS; beaches could be compromised violation two federal statutes. No bigger matter than the offshore.

Commission discussed Lilli-Ann’s request to petition the Department of the Interior regarding the BOEM wind project. Her motion was not seconded; no vote was taken. Lilli-Ann’s letter will be included in these meeting minutes as requested by her.

SUSAN –

• Friends of the Truro Meeting House hosted a Wildfire Round Table discussion on August 28^th. Wildfire presentation lot of work was prepared; lot of experts were involved; good news was huge amount of collaboration going on. Fire Chiefs from every town and county; lot of people who are talking about this and making plans in positive plans. Message was we are dealing with it. Thanks to Jen Flynn and Dave Crary for attending.

• Cape Cod Character interested in to know about structures in the seashore that were taken. How many are actually in workable order? Baker/Biddle future of those? Lots of money given to tear down property few years ago. Now - How many? Can anything be done?

• Water – glad to hear about non-emergency use of water. Truro and Ptown are trying to find a new source. Commend the park on work at Longnook. Beach was packed again this summer.

HEATHER will coordinate suggestions on new topics with Rich.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Three lengthy letters submitted. They will be distributed to the Commission. Two are on the Multi Modal Cable Road project and the third letter addresses the BOEM wind project.

Connie Mathers , Truro – ADU questions town board meetings. What is the National Seashore’s legal opinion on ADUs. Heard that Truro already passed it. How can a town pass a bylaw when the federal government precludes that from happening? Asked about the Walsh property also

JEN – encourage you to look at the presentation online. We have a legal disagreement on the enabling legislation and how improved property residences are defined. Our position is that the definition that focuses on one dwelling does not allow additional residences. As an abutter to the Walsh property, we will receive notification and respond as necessary.

JACK REIMER – Thank Supt. Flynn, and members of board, focus of report is ADU subcommittee; need to have copy; Truro is best served being self-served; don’t overdevelop and then look to NPS for water. Grateful for this meeting.

HEATHER – perhaps second week of February. February 9^th. Need to check with Rich.Details of specific agenda – 2^nd half of community character 2/9; coastal resiliency refined potential dates for 2026 and topics.

Heather – motion to adjourn
Sheila – second
Heather – Motion to adjourn carried.These minutes were certified by the Chair of the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission on December 18, 2025.

 

Additional Documents

Superintendent's Presentation
Meeting Minutes Attachment- Public Comments 9/2025
Full Closed Captioning Transcript