Seascape Board Meeting Minutes – October 22, 2025, Virtual

Attendees: Art Schick, Joan Boyer, Michael Shea, Bill O’Brien, Terence Dalton, Jack O’Connor, Bernie Laughran, Marianne Beardsley, John Honey.

Quick recap:

The meeting focused on concerns regarding oyster farming expansion off our beaches and within Megansett Harbor, including discussions about permits, environmental impacts, and local residents' opposition to above-water farming structures and processing facilities in residential areas. The group explored legal options to challenge the permits and considered forming a coalition or charitable organization to fund legal action, while also discussing the economic challenges of oyster farming and potential zoning issues. The Board also heard from the Dock & Ramp, Beach, and Road Committee Chairs.

Next steps

• Michael: Talk to uncle about oyster farm issue and potential legal assistance

• Jack, John Hanlon, and Art: Continue to stay in contact with Lisa Maroney regarding oyster farm opposition

• Jack, John Hanlon, and Art: Wait for Crowley’s to return and try to get them into a meeting to discuss oyster farms

• Art: Investigate the Shellfish Advisory Committee

• Jack: Go to town meeting on Monday to observe and start asking questions about oyster farm permitting process

• Jack: Try to reach out to state representative David Vieira about oyster farm issue

• Jack: Try to contact Peter Koulouras about oyster farm concerns

• John Hanlon: Circle back with the Crowley’s about oyster farm issue

• Art: Send out letter to association summarizing oyster farm situation and progress

• Art: Draft and send president's letter

• Art: Send draft president's letter to board members and committee chairs for review

• Marianne: Send Art names of people delinquent on dues

• Art: Send out delinquency letters to members who have not paid dues

• Art: Send email requesting best dates about 4 weeks out for next board meeting

• Michael: Get proposal from Cape Cod Engineering for drainage feasibility study

• Michael: Schedule crack sealing work with Everline company in next 2-3 weeks

• Bill: Meet with Bob Shaw next week to walk B Beach and assess snow fence repair needs and get pricing

• Bill: Plan for adding sand to B Beach in spring

Summary

Art started the meeting at 7:05PM, calling a quorum.

A Road Committee report was added to the agenda.

Prior Board Meeting Minutes from September 17, 2025 were approved.

 

Megansett Harbor Oyster Farming Expansion

The meeting focused on the oyster farming situation in Megansett Harbor, with Jack providing an overview of different oyster farming methods and discussing the proposed expansion of oyster farming operations by Cape Cod Oyster and Ward Aqua Farms. The discussion highlighted concerns about the scale of the proposed farming areas, which could reach 20 acres, and the use of floating bags and containers for oyster cultivation, vs. below water technology.

Oyster Farming Expansion Debate

Jack discussed the expansion of oyster farming in Megansett Harbor, highlighting two main concerns: the above-water farming structures, which some residents find intrusive, and a proposed 9,000 square foot oyster processing facility on Bay Road, which is in a residential area. He noted that while below-water oyster farming is widely supported, the more expensive above-water technology is being used due to its lower cost and efficiency of operation for the oyster company. The discussion revealed tensions between environmental benefits of oyster farming and local residents' concerns about visual impact and commercial operations in residential areas.

Oyster Farm Permit Legal Challenge

Jack discussed the issue of oyster farming permits in Megansett Harbor, where Jack explained that the permits may have been obtained under false pretenses as the notices only mentioned a change in ownership not a change to above-water operations. We discussed the association hiring a lawyer to challenge the permits, and Jack suggested creating a separate charitable organization to fund legal action. The group also discussed concerns about navigation safety, environmental impact, and the town's rationale that oyster farms could replace sewage facilities, which Michael and others dismissed as nonsense.

Oyster Farming Concerns in Falmouth

The group discussed concerns about oyster farming proposals in Falmouth, where large tracts of land are being allocated at just $100 per acre, with some farms potentially taking up to 22 acres (Waguoit Bay). They debated whether to pursue this issue as a Seascape association or as individual concerned neighbors, with Michael emphasizing the board's responsibility to protect the entire association. The group agreed to organize a larger meeting with interested parties, including Lisa Marroni, in Megansett, to determine the best course of action, as they are still unclear about the approval process and hierarchy of government bodies involved.

Oyster Farm Proposed Actions

Jack suggested starting with board alignment and gathering more people to address the issue, while Art expressed hesitation about hiring a lawyer until the subcommittee is formed. The group explored the possibility of forming an LLC or nonprofit company to collect donations. Art mentioned he will update the Association in the Fall President’s letter. We concluded the overall discussion, agreeing that Jack would work to gather more interested parties, such as Crowley’s, and the Board would meet again in about 4 weeks.

Dock and Ramp Update – Art for Rob

Art updates the Board on Rob’s plan to have the stationary dock resurfaced this fall by Ben Carson.

Road Committee - Michael

Michael discussed the quote he received for crack sealing the roads. He recommended a specific contractor, Everline, at a cost of $8,500. The Board approved proceeding.

Beach Committee - Bill

Bill provided updates on beach maintenance, noting that snow fence repairs at B Beach are being planned and additional sand will likely be needed next spring. The board also learned that beach monitoring has been successful with no issues reported.

Liability Insurance for Parade - Art

Art shared the ~$700 quotation from the insurance agent for separate liability coverage for the 4th of July parade. After discussion, the board decided against purchasing separate liability insurance for the 4th of July parade.