The meeting began with the board’s decision to release a $150,000 bond plus interest to Westport Stone and Sands LLC. This bond was tied to a completed solar project that board members had previously inspected. The motion to release the bond was made, seconded, and passed unanimously without opposition.

Following this, the board reviewed several Approval Not Required (ANR) requests. The first was for a property on Tupelo Road, involving the division of Assessors Plat 61 Lot 18V into one new lot and a parcel designated as A. Matt Pike, representing the applicant from South Coast Engineering, explained that the property is owned by the Bonnie Ala Trustee of the Hosley Family Trust. This division aimed to reconcile an existing encroachment involving a driveway, stone wall, and garden areas. The proposed changes would not alter the lot’s frontage, and the remaining lot would exceed minimum requirements. The board moved to endorse the plan as not required, which was seconded and passed.

The board then considered another ANR for a property on Horseneck Road, involving the division of land into four lots, including one non-buildable parcel. Pike again represented the applicant, stating that the property is owned by the Richard Family Trust. The current plan aimed to supersede previous division lines, and a recent Superior Court judgment had dismissed a prior complaint related to this property. The board clarified procedural aspects and approved the ANR for 533 Horseneck unanimously.

Another ANR for zero Pine Hill Road was reviewed next. This request aimed to convey a parcel to address an existing encroachment involving a wood deck and lawn area. Pike, representing the applicant, outlined that the project would not change the existing lot’s frontage and would increase the adjacent property’s total area. After discussing the unique shape of the lot lines and potential reasons for it, the board approved the ANR for zero Pine Hill Road without opposition.

The board also discussed a recommendation to the select board about appointing a new member to a committee concerning short-term rentals. They considered two candidates: Steve Fors and Steven Koser. Emphasizing the importance of experience in navigating town meetings and short-term rental bylaws, the board recommended Steve Fors for the position.

A public hearing was held concerning special permit applications for a property located on Main Road. The representative from Northeast Engineers noted this as the last public hearing for Miss Messier, expressing gratitude for her contributions. The hearing focused on a special permit for a common driveway servicing two lots, designed to minimize disturbance to surrounding wetlands. The representative highlighted the simplicity of the plan and the necessity of a common drive for ease of access. The board discussed unresolved comments from town boards and committees and decided to continue the hearing to a later date, with October 29th mentioned as the next available slot.

The meeting also covered a solar project on Division Road, where the applicant requested to withdraw their application without prejudice. This decision was influenced by discrepancies in the wetlands delineation provided in the initial submission, requiring resolution before further action.

An incomplete application due to ongoing disputes over an access easement led to the applicant requesting to withdraw the application without prejudice. The board granted the withdrawal request and released consultant fees associated with the application, amounting to $5,500 plus interest.

A public hearing for James Burke’s site plan application saw the applicant request another continuance, which was granted, scheduling the next meeting for October 15th at 6:45 PM.

The board provided updates on several projects, including a national Coastal Resilience Fund application submitted jointly with Dartmouth and Little Compton. There was also a discussion on the integration of online permitting with Full Circle Technologies, which was migrating Assessor’s data to create a local parcel data system.

Further discussions included changes in regulation from the recently signed 2024 Homes Act, particularly concerning accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The board learned that they could no longer require special permits for detached ADUs and discussed the implications of this change.

Environmental initiatives were also a significant topic, focusing on regional cooperation and the conservation of cold water brook trout in Southern Massachusetts. Proposed culverts with natural bottoms were discussed to facilitate trout navigation and spawning. The board emphasized the importance of seeking grants and partnerships to support these environmental efforts.

The meeting concluded with discussions on various infrastructure projects, including a water line project extending to Washington Street and G Road, and considerations for regional sewer access, highlighting new agreements that would reduce costs for Westport users.