A Major Step Forward: Select Board Unanimously Endorses License Agreement

The Sconset Beach Preservation Fund (SBPF) is pleased to share an important milestone in the ongoing effort to protect the Sconset Bluff, Baxter Road, and the surrounding community.

At its recent meeting, the Select Board voted unanimously to endorse the draft license agreement for the proposed geotube expansion project which is an important step forward.

Throughout the discussion, Select Board members emphasized both the urgency of the situation and the progress made to strengthen the agreement. Chair Dawn Hill noted that while no solution may be permanent, the level of erosion seen this winter makes clear that action is needed now to protect critical infrastructure and public access.

Board members also highlighted the significant improvements made to the agreement. The updated framework includes enhanced accountability, enforceability, and financial safeguards, ensuring that the Town is fully protected as the project moves forward. These provisions include dedicated contingency funding, clear performance requirements, and mechanisms to ensure compliance at every stage.

Vice Chair Matt Fee underscored the work that went into refining the agreement, noting that the current version reflects thoughtful input and results in a document with “real teeth” that aligns the interests of both the Town and SBPF.

Select Board member Brooke Mohr spoke to the broader community impact, emphasizing that failing to act carries real financial risks, particularly given the presence of utilities within Baxter Road. The cost of inaction, she noted, could ultimately fall on taxpayers if erosion continues unchecked.

The Select Board’s endorsement reflects a shared understanding of the need to balance coastal resilience with fiscal responsibility.

With this unanimous vote, the project now moves to Town Meeting, where voters will have the opportunity to decide on the path forward. SBPF is encouraged by the Select Board’s support and the collaborative effort that has brought the project to this point.

Our goal remains clear, to advance a thoughtful, responsible solution that protects the Sconset community today while planning carefully for the future.