Committee proposes mandatory pre- and post-construction shorefront photos with embedded timestamps

Meredith presented a new shoreland documentation requirement that would require applicants for building or use permits in the shoreland district to submit photographic records of all areas proposed to be disturbed, including vegetation along the entire shorefront, both before work begins and within 20 days after construction is complete.

She told the committee that "photographs shall include an embedded digital timestamp showing the date and time the photograph was taken. The time stamp must be automatically generated by the device used to capture the image and may not be manually added or altered," noting that most smartphones and digital cameras already provide that capability. All photos are to be submitted to the CEO as part of the permit file.

Committee members asked whether the timestamp requirement would discourage applicants; Meredith and others said the feature is widely available on modern devices and that the rule was intended to reduce disputes about preconstruction site conditions and shorefront vegetation post-construction. The requirement applies specifically to shoreland permits and is phrased to document both preconstruction conditions and post-construction outcomes.

The committee agreed the language as written was clear enough to proceed but said staff should keep the requirement user-friendly and provide guidance for applicants on how to produce acceptable timestamped images.

The draft will be folded into the shoreland section and reviewed again at the next meeting and at the July workshop with the select board.