Robbins Report

WELLFLEET: The People Have Spoken

Despite Selectmen Donovan's Objections

A Wellfleet harbor landmark is a restaurant once again, despite the objection of a selectman.

Captain Higgins Is a Restaurant Again

Photographs & Story by Peter Robbins

Kudos to the voters of Wellfleet and Attorney Ben Zehnder. Despite law suits, competition concerns, and personal interests of some in the public eye, the Balch family can once again attempt to find the right buyer for the Captain Higgins Restaurant.

Last night's Wellfleet Zoning Board of Appeals voted during the remand hearing to approve a special permit to "re-establish pre-existing non-conforming restaurant use" for the Captain Higgins Restaurant. (That's an old poster for the original restaurant on the right.)

The Pearl, a memory sitting in someone's oyster shell, was not harvested in time. It actually was, but someone seems to think that "one day" was up for interpretation, when continuous use was previously being considered. (See the previous stories at the bottom.)

Conflicts of interest

The meeting started with discussions from the board about potential conflicts that should be considered. ZBA member William Nicholson revealed a business arrangement with Michael Parlante as did ZBA member Robert Hankey. As you might recall, Michael Parlante filed an appeal originally against the Captain Higgins project, as an abutter, not to mention one of the principals of the Bookstore Restaurant just down the street. Funny, I may be mistaken, I just don't recall either of these members revealing a potential conflict during the prior process.

Not to be outdone, Selectman Dale Donovan, as a member of the audience, saw his opportunity to stall the project. Apparently, Donovan tried to keep the Special Permit from being heard by seeking a continuance. After Attorney Zehnder explained the remand was a brand new hearing, and he saw no conflicts of concern, five members present, the special permit passed in a four to one vote. Robert Hankey abstained, not agreeing with part of a by-law.  Imagine that.

"Do we really want to see condos there ?"I realize in small towns there are bound to be connections through friendships, professional relationships, and business dealings. Having said that, does anyone see a problem with a sitting selectman, having past and future issues with his own ZBA, attempting to interfere with the process the voters clearly approved for a Remand Hearing as a member of the audience?

Do any additional conflicts need to be revealed?

The people of Wellfleet not only spoke by getting the process to this point, but during the public meeting as well, "Do we really want to see condos there ?" or "We don't want to see a boatyard there," were clearly echoed at the meeting. It always makes me wonder when the wants of a few override the needs of the many, politics is a difficult game. Most games have rules that guide you on how to play. In public life, or let's just say politics, the rules seem to change depending on who you are, or get made up or changed as the game continues.

It was nice to hear one public official say, "This is good for the town of Wellfleet!" I couldn't agree more.

What's next? The meeting on June 26 should be a hum-dinger! Remember the legally issued building permit on the Blasch Billboard House Project? This night, the Board of Selectmen, ZBA, National Seashore, The Bound Brook Homeowners Association, and the victims, the Blasch family, all will be represented by independent council. Fireworks might just be possible, and you the residents of Wellfleet are paying for it!

• The voters of Wellfleet have spoken! April 29, 2008
• The Bookstore Finally Gets the Message April 4, 2008
• Small town politics destroys a "Pearl" March 1, 2008