Neighbors appeal planning board approval of seawall; argue concrete design would worsen erosion

At a lengthy planning-board hearing residents and neighbors presented detailed objections to the planning board’s decision to reissue a permit for a repaired seawall. Neighbors argued the meeting that reauthorized the permit functioned as a substantive approval without proper notice or a full hearing on the merits, and they asked the board to remand the matter for fuller consideration. They said the applicant's proposed concrete/armored wall would eliminate natural rock crevices and increase wave reflection and downstream erosion.

The planning board and its staff described the administrative posture — an expired permit, an extension attempt, and then a new application number — and explained how DEP (state) jurisdiction and parallel approvals factor into the process. Neighbors urged the board to require the applicant to bring hydrologic analysis and consider less-hardening alternatives (set-back wall plus riprap) and noted possible impacts to the town landing and adjacent properties. The board took the arguments under advisement and deliberated; the meeting closed with members signaling they would issue a written decision after further review.