Next Phase Begins for Schifter Property: Restoring the Land

Chappaquiddick erosion issues dominated the agenda of the Edgartown conservation commission this week, from the extensive landscape restoration project at the Schifter property to the fate of the house owned by Jerry and Sue Wacks that must be at least partially torn down before it falls into the sea.

At a site visit Monday the commission viewed both properties which lie at the Atlantic-facing edge of Chappy where significant erosion has returned as the Norton Point breach recedes.

The Wacks home now sits just 20 feet from the edge of Katama Bay, with erosion occurring at the rate of about a foot a day. On Wednesday the commission agreed to send a letter clearing the way for emergency demolition of most of the house.

Edgartown conservation commission reviewed landscaping and erosion control plan for Schifter house. Mark Lovewell

To prevent the house from ending up in Katama Bay, out into Nantucket Sound or washing up on adjacent beaches, the commission wrote in part. The letter went out yesterday. It is understood that the Wackses plan to demolish all but two bedrooms and a utility room in the modest house, built 30 years ago in a spot that at the time was on high ground overlooking the bay.

Also on Wednesday the board reviewed a landscaping and erosion control plan for the Wasque home owned by Richard and Jennifer Schifter. The plan calls for restoring trees, shrubbery and sandplain grasses that were stripped from the land when the 8,000-square-foot house was relocated over the summer. The plan also includes installing a new system of straw logs, called wattle logs, and hydromulching to strengthen the embankment where the house now sits.

Trees, shrubbery and topsoil that were removed last summer in preparation for the house move are still stored offsite on property owned by Gerald Jeffers. The commission said this week its time to restore the property to its previous state.

Yes, we okayed the pile of sand [that was used to stave off more erosion while the house was being moved] but why cant we just go back to the contour and trees and bushes that were there before the pile of sand, commission member Christina Brown said. Those contours had a thick understory and some significant bushes and trees. Why cant they have it again?

Stripped of all vegetation, Schifter property will be replanted in spring. Mark Lovewell

But commission member Bob Avakian said the site visit was eye-opening for him. I think we learned a hard lesson, he said. We should have had this discussion before you can say, okay you can cut down trees.

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Next Phase Begins for Schifter Property: Restoring the Land