The most pressing topic was the alleged violation concerning the elevation of the roadway at Great Island Ocean Club. The commission had previously issued an order of conditions in 2017 to prevent increasing the road’s elevation and flooding neighboring properties.

A resident from 19 Powers Lane detailed their experiences with yard flooding, attributing it to the road’s elevation changes. They had installed a drainage system in 2016 to mitigate these issues, but the recent roadwork had seemingly worsened the problem. The commission acknowledged the need for an as-built plan to determine if the current elevation complied with the original order. The urgency of this matter was underscored, given the ongoing flooding complaints and their impact on residents’ properties.

An enforcement order was issued to obtain the as-built plan, with a deadline adjusted for potential delays in contractor availability. This plan is important for future discussions and will reveal any inconsistencies between the current road state and the original design. The commission expressed disappointment over the homeowners association’s lack of proactive measures and highlighted the necessity of a certificate of compliance, which also requires the as-built plan.

In another discussion, the commission reviewed a Notice of Intent (NOI) submitted by the Woods Hole group on behalf of the Great Island Homeowners Association. Leslie Fields from Woods Hole presented updates on a project to use sand as a buffer between the road and fiber rolls anchored with steel cables and duckbill anchors. This project aims to address previous concerns about geotextile bags failing to maintain sand cover.

Construction is set for the fall, with plans to reuse sediment dredged from the Sweet Water Creek project. The fiber roll array, extending 60 feet, will impact coastal dune and beach areas due to construction access. The homeowners association requested permission for future maintenance, proposing the use of up to 290 cubic yards of sand twice annually, compliant with beach material specifications. A monitoring program will ensure the integrity of the sand cover and fiber rolls, with regular inspections, especially after storms.

Fields addressed the commission’s concerns about the perceived lack of progress on resiliency issues. She provided a timeline of actions taken since 2021, highlighting the complexities involved. The urgency of the situation was emphasized, with a vulnerability assessment indicating significant flooding risks due to sea level rise by 2030 and 2050. Fields recommended a proactive NOI for emergency roadway protection and proposed stockpiling materials on-site for immediate action if needed. Mid to long-term solutions included raising sections of the road and reconstructing the bridge.

The commission engaged in a discussion about the five-year plan for emergency road protection. One focus was the proposal for increased monitoring frequency, particularly during the winter storm season, to better understand erosion dynamics. Concerns were raised about establishing a clear threshold for replacing damaged protective bags with fiber rolls.

The potential impact of sand nourishment on local marine life, particularly eelgrass and horseshoe crabs, was also discussed. However, ongoing monitoring of eelgrass was suggested to ensure no adverse effects occur. The timing of beach nourishment efforts was carefully considered to avoid disrupting horseshoe crab spawning activities, with a recommendation to avoid work from May 1 to July 31.

Further discussions addressed a new project involving sand disposal and raising a revetment wall to protect a property from erosion and flooding. Concerns were raised about constructing new structures within the velocity flood zone and the potential need for a variance. The effectiveness of raising the wall and the importance of adhering to regulations were debated, with some members skeptical about the viability of the proposed plans.

The meeting also included a request to amend an existing order of conditions for a property on Mayflower Terrace. The commission discussed proposed changes to the mitigation ratio and the need for a stable area behind a wall to prevent flooding.