The board’s primary focus was on show-cause hearings for violations of short-term rental regulations. Chevron Chatham Protection on Lantern Lane was the first case addressed. Despite multiple attempts to contact the property owners through letters, including a certified one in July, there was no response from them. The property remained listed on Airbnb, with recent reviews indicating ongoing rental activity. The absence of Chevron Chatham Protection representatives at the hearing raised concerns about their compliance and engagement with the board.

The board deliberated on enforcement measures against Chevron Chatham Protection, considering a noncriminal disposition fine of up to $200 per day. The members debated whether to immediately issue penalties or provide an initial notice before proceeding with daily fines. Some members argued for immediate penalties to set a precedent for future cases, while others discussed the possibility of lower settlement fees if the owners complied later. The board ultimately decided to impose penalties immediately, given the evidence of ongoing rental activity and the lack of response from the owners. A roll call vote unanimously approved the motion to begin the penalty phase for the property.

Similar proceedings took place for Mark Leeward LLC on Harbor Road. The absence of a representative from Mark Leeward LLC mirrored the previous case, leading to the board’s decision to assess administrative penalties promptly. The board emphasized the need for consistency in enforcement across properties, reflecting on the importance of maintaining regulation compliance.

The board also addressed the David and Evelyn Granger Revocable Trust, which owned multiple unregistered properties. Despite personal contact and provided instructions, the properties remained unregistered. The board reiterated penalties for non-compliance, with daily fines reaching $800 per day for each property. Although Mrs. Granger was not explicitly informed of the fines during conversations, previous notifications included references to penalties. The board agreed to proceed with penalties, effective the day after the meeting, following a unanimous roll call vote.

In other matters, the board reviewed a definitive subdivision plan for the Chatham Drama Guild, involving three building lots connected to municipal sewer. The board’s role was to ensure adequate sewer access, with any future septic systems requiring separate applications. No concerns were raised during the review, and a unanimous vote approved the plan.

A subsequent agenda item involved another definitive subdivision plan for Allan and Joan Perau, revisited due to a technicality. The plan was identical to one approved earlier, requiring board re-approval for planning board compliance. The board approved the plan unanimously after confirming it met necessary criteria.

The meeting continued with an update on the McGrath property on Milh Hill Road. A representative reported on the distribution of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and a site visit that garnered significant interest. However, only one bid from a non-local contractor was received by the closing date. The board expressed uncertainty about the bid’s alignment with the town’s financial parameters and discussed the potential for variable pricing based on work required. An evaluation with the Department of Public Works (DPW) was deemed necessary.

The board speculated on reasons for the low bid turnout, citing site access challenges or concerns about the property owner. The police were credited with maintaining order during site visits. The cleanup process was outlined, indicating all materials would be removed and categorized as trash or contested valuable items, stored at the owner’s expense. A follow-up on the Milh Hill project was slated for the next meeting.

Future agenda discussions included preparing a letter addressing commercial refuse regulations at the transfer station, prohibiting out-of-town trash. Proposals suggested enhancing the application process for commercial trash haulers, requiring attestation of Chatham-only trash loads. The board recognized the need for a review of short-term rental regulations post-summer. A suggestion to create a flowchart for streamlined handling of rental issues was made.