Wequassett Inn Wins Approval For Major Improvements

by William F. Galvin 

EAST HARWICH – The Wequassett Inn and Golf Resort has won approval from the planning board for expansion and renovations proposed for the facilities located on Pleasant Bay. The work is scheduled to begin this fall and continue into spring.

The project, the second phase of expansion, calls for the removal of four existing cottage and new construction of three eight-unit structures, adding a dozen new units. The project also calls for relocation of tennis courts, a pro shop and the addition of a children’s activity center.

A major addition to the property will be a wastewater treatment plant to address septage generated on the site. As part of that operation the laundry facility and a maintenance building will be razed. Laundry will be processed offsite in the future.

“What drives the whole thing,” attorney Myer Singer told the board, “is when Wequassett started thinking about doing something to the site.  I said you need to address wastewater in some way.”

Over the past two years the inn has been working on addressing the wastewater issue. The property abuts Round Cove, which has experienced adverse nitrogen impacts, and sits at the head of Pleasant Bay, which also has excessive nitrogen counts. The Inn is now under an administrative consent order from the state Department of Environmental Protection to put the treatment plant in place, and plans are to do so this winter.

“It will do wonderful things for the site and the environment,” Singer said. “It will reduce nitrogen by 76 percent. That’s a big plus for the property and the environment.”

With the installation of the plant, Singer said the whole site will have to be dug up and pipes placed throughout, so now seemed to be the time to raze and replace buildings. The idea was to destroy the area once rather than having to do it again with work in the future.

“The whole thing is driven by denitrification,” Singer said.

The project required three special permits from the planning board: one for construction of more than 7,500 square feet, another for parking expansion of more than 20 spaces,and a site plan special permit. The attorney also said a second driveway is proposed as a truck entrance to the north side of the property for deliveries so the larger vehicles are not mixing with guests.

 The inn has existed for 75 years and zoning changes surrounding the site two years ago show the town sees the location as appropriate for this kind of use, the attorney said.

That position was also supported by a number of residents who spoke in support of expansion. Richard Waystack, speaking for the chamber of commerce, called the project “smart growth” he said the treatment plant would protect the environment. Waystack also cited difficult employment conditions and said this would create jobs in the community while adding needed tax revenues for the town.

“The Wequassett Inn has been a tremendous corporate citizen in our community,” Waystack added.

Selectman Ed McManus called the operation “a business we can all be proud of” and said it treats its employee great. He also said the added room tax will help balance the town’s budget.

Former Cape and Islands Senator Paul V. Doane call the facilities a terrific resource, adding it is a prestigious resort, well run, and an operation residents can be proud of. He said it is the only resource in town capable of holding conferences that allows people to enjoy the assets of the town and the Cape.

Doane also cited contributions made by the resort’s owners to the Harwich Conservation Trust to assist with a major conservation land purchase along the edge of the Monomoy River.

“This has evolved into a world-class destination and what’s before you is a continuation of that,” Selectman David Marsland said.

East Harwich Community Association President Bridget Rutten also read of letter in support of the project. She said while the association has not taken a vote it was a majority decision of the directors to support the proposal.

Resident Dick Thomas, who lives a third of a mile from the inn, said he had two issues; the first is the lighting from buildings along Round Cove which were renovated and expanded a year ago. He requested a remediation plan for the amount of light that he said is impacting residents around that cove.

The second issue is pollution of Round Cove. He said plans were presented a year and a half ago and he was surprised to learn the wastewater treatment plant was not installed along with the renovation a year ago. He said Round Cove is suffering from pollution from these new buildings.

Sean Riley of Coastal Engineering, Inc. of Orleans said sewage will be pumped from the new buildings away from Round Cove to the treatment plant on the inland side of the property.

“Round Cove is the inn’s greatest asset,” Singer said. “They don’t want to do anything to upset it. There has been no new sewage flow over the last year.”

The conservation commission two weeks ago approved two variances for the reconstruction and expansion of two of the three structures which are proposed within the 50-foot no disturb zone of wetland resources.         

Singer also said they need lighting for stairways and walkways, but they are also using non-commercial lighting to keep it to a minimum.  Landscape designer David Hawk said all lighting is shielded on top, pole lights have been eliminated and wall fixtures used instead.

“These are atypical of commercial use so there will be more ambient light,” Mark Novota, managing partner of the resort said. 

Planning Board member Joseph McParland said the police department recommendation calls for a blinking light and more signage with the second curb cut. Singer said the applicant has to comply with the demands of Massachusetts Highway Department, which controls the state road, relative to additional signage there. He also said a blinking light would create “visual pollution” there.

The planning board wrestled with continuing the hearing for two weeks to make sure all the “I’s are dotted and the T’s get crossed.” But Singer cited a tight timeframe for completion of the project this winter and the board relented, approving the three special permits.

9/4/08