Robbins Report

The voters of Wellfleet have spoken!

 Oh, by the way - let's not confuse Balch with Blasch

Pictured here is the 2,000-square-foot "Billboard" house purchased by Mark & Barbara Blasch for $2.5M located at 1440 Chequessett Neck Rd in Wellfleet. It is to be taken down and replaced by a 5,800-square-foot new house, which is allowable under current by-laws as it meets all requirements based on the size of the lot. The building permit was issued and now the Selectmen are challenging the building inspector's decision as well as their own by-laws.

By Peter Robbins

Boy how I miss town meetings! Where the people can actually make a difference and be heard. Kudos to the people of Wellfleet, and to Attorney Ben Zehnder for looking out for what is in the best interest of the town.

One person was caught voting twice, and then removed.
God I love Wellfleet!Article 35, proposed at last nights town meeting, passed. (See attached) Not without some controversy, one person was caught voting twice, and then removed. God I love Wellfleet. The article had to do with amending an existing by-law dealing with restaurants in the Central District where the Old Captain Higgins was for decades. Now, under special permit an existing restaurant, could open and start doing business. Naturally, with proper permits and inspections that go along with any construction.

The question is, will the same people that were stopped from opening "Pearl" based on a personal interpretation of the old by-law, now return and try again. I certainly hope they do, and from what I have heard, so do the majority of people in Wellfleet.

A restaurant is a restaurant is a restaurant

The Captain Higgins restaurant can continue as a restaurant, or be sold as a restaurant. This could attract potentially new restaurants in the Central DistrictNow that the Captain Higgins can continue as a restaurant, or be sold as a restaurant, this could attract potentially new restaurants in the Central District. This action, in my opinion, is very proactive and a much better use of the Captain Higgins property than, shall we say "Condos."

After years of hard work running a restaurant, Betty Balch must feel relieved that there may be new hope for her property, I wish her and any future investors luck. Let's make it clear, Balch not to be confused with Blasch, that is a whole new can of worms that will be opened tomorrow night at the Wellfleet Senior Center.

I understand there could be some fireworks at this meeting, too! The Blasch situation is deserving of a story in itself. It seems that NIMBY groups exist everywhere. The latest, from what I can find out, is a group called WNSHA, ot the Wellfleet National Seashore Homeowners Association.

Some voters are more equal than other voters

The selectmen are appealing the decision of their own building inspector as well as one of their own by-lawsThey want to tie this to the town's web page, but only Wellfleet homeowners who live in the park will be able to post. A small number of Seashore homeowners have taken it upon themselves to represent 200 others and are trying to establish their own building rules within the park , paying no attention to existing ones. Referred to by some town employees as a "red hot" issue, it is one the town should be very careful with. Any actions by the town, viewed by outside authorities, that even give the appearance of trying to circumvent the Massachusetts General Laws, would not be in the town's best interest.

Saying that, here is the long and the short of it at this point. The Blasch's submitted a set of plans that met all the criteria required according to bylaws and rules of the Town of Wellfleet, as it pertains to building within the National Seashore. They were approved, and a building permit was issued. Some didn't like the idea of a "Trophy" home being built replacing the old billboard house. Its told, an angry group went to a selectmen's meeting, stated their concerns and guess what? The selectmen are appealing the decision of their own building inspector as well as one of their own by-laws.

During an interview with Wellfleet building inspector Paul Murphy, " Hey I like the board.  I'm not sure what the issue is. I'm just going to sit back and watch the show!"

A show I'm sure there will be, as well as a in-depth follow-up story!