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Select Board approves church‑property survey, sidewalk contract and DEP grant endorsement; hears harbor and beach project updates
Summary
The Dennis Select Board authorized a community survey for 187 Upper County Road, approved a $479,615.14 Lawrence Lynch sidewalk contract, endorsed a DEP grant application, appointed Police Chief Brady to a regional planning committee and received multi‑million dollar updates on the Seward Harbor and West Dennis bathhouse projects.
At its meeting the Dennis Select Board approved multiple routine and capital items and heard presentations on major capital projects.
Survey for 187 Upper County Road: The board authorized the Dennis Port/West Dennis Advancement Committee to distribute a resident survey about potential uses for town‑owned property at 187 Upper County Road (the church property). Josh, representing the advancement committee, said the plan is a paper first distribution with a PDF link option, and suggested a one‑month response window with repeated outreach; the chair recommended adding a clear “return by” date (the chair suggested December 1) and including the property address in the survey title. The board approved the survey with the discussed edits by voice vote.
Sidewalk contract: The board authorized the town administrator to execute a contract with Lawrence Lynch for sidewalk construction services in the amount of $479,615.14 to address priority gaps (Route 134, Old Dennis Approach, Marketplace, Old Wharf Road). The item was approved after a motion and second and a unanimous voice vote.
Grant endorsement: The board voted to endorse a matching grant application to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (FY25 natural resource/nitrogen‑sensitive area grant program). Staff recommended seeking a portion of available program funds and matching the town’s current appropriations where practical; the endorsement was approved by voice vote.
Appointment: The board approved naming Police Chief John Brady as the town representative to the Bronxville County Regional Emergency Planning Committee.
Seward Harbor update: Harbor Master Dawson Farber and members of the harbor committee reported that conservation commission approval for the Seward Harbor notice of intent is complete and historic‑district review is next. Farber said a third‑party cost estimate and escalation pushed a project projection to about $8,000,000; possible funding sources include the Seaport Economic Council and coastal resiliency programs. Board members discussed parking, contingency, and early development of a funding plan ahead of town meeting.
West Dennis bathhouse: Beach and Recreation Director Dustin Bino briefed the board on design and project timing. Bino said the main West Dennis bathhouse is a major revenue source for the town (stated as more than $300,000 annually) and described a plan to hire an OPM and designer this season, pursue permitting and bid in 2024–25, and seek construction funding from the Beach Improvement Fund. The board discussed permitting constraints on a barrier beach, ADA access needs and insurance considerations.
West End Grama Schoolhouse: Staff said a $360,000 capital request for full design, bidding and OPM services will enter the next capital cycle, supporting a later construction ask of roughly $4.4–4.6 million. The board and staff noted programmatic decisions (kitchen scope, museum climate control, elevator requirements) will drive final costs.
Consent agenda & executive session: The board approved routine minutes, noted a ZBA resignation and voted to enter executive session not to return for two matters: property negotiation (825 Old Bass River Road) and strategy/contract negotiations with nonunion personnel (finance director).
