The meeting’s most pressing topic involved encroachments on town property by residents of Blackberry Lane. These properties, adjacent to the town golf course, had been under scrutiny by the Golf Course Advisory Committee due to unauthorized maintenance and clearing of town land. The board deliberated the implications of these encroachments and the necessity of maintaining town property integrity. Encroachments at both 37 and Blackberry Lane were examined, with particular focus on how they might impact the community and set precedents for future property matters.

Discussions revealed that the encroachments varied in severity, with some involving minor fencing issues and others more significant, such as unauthorized clearings. One board member suggested that property owners should be responsible for any infringement upon town land, emphasizing the importance of clear property lines. The board considered licensing as a solution, proposing a fee for continued use of encroached areas. Fees were suggested to be $100 annually, aligning with past licensing agreements for similar situations. The board also noted the potential impact on community relations.

Bruce Bardis from the golf advisory committee provided historical context, noting that boundary markers had been established in 2018, and property owners had been informed of encroachments since then. A board member emphasized that while the encroachments appeared minor, allowing them without formal agreements could undermine the town’s property rights. The board ultimately decided to approve licenses for the encroachments, considering them benign but requiring a formalized agreement to ensure ongoing oversight and compliance.

In addition to addressing property encroachments, the board discussed the possibility of converting a town-owned parcel at Pleasant Street and Deodara Road into affordable housing. Carol McLean of the Chatham Community Housing Partnership proposed declaring the parcel surplus to allow development of a two-bedroom home for a qualifying applicant at 80% Area Median Income. The board considered including this proposal in the 2025 town meeting warrant, recognizing the potential benefits of increased affordable housing options in the community.

The board also reviewed and approved several applications for special one-day alcohol licenses for upcoming community events. These included permits for the Chatham Walkers’ holiday potluck, Jen Allard’s open house at the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, and Michael’s Fine Jewelry’s Holiday Stroll event. The board approved these licenses unanimously.

Furthermore, the board considered a request from First Night Chatham for town resources to support their New Year’s Eve event. The event, featuring a town photo, noise parade, and fireworks, aimed to invigorate the local economy and foster community spirit. The board acknowledged the positive impact of such events and approved the request.

In other business, the board appointed Max Lelli to the Lydia Cove Committee and praised the town’s finance team for receiving a Governmental Finance Officers Association award for excellence in financial reporting. The town’s reaffirmed AAA bond rating and ongoing budget discussions with various departments were also noted, highlighting the town’s financial stability and planning efforts.