Select Board clears Cornell monitoring plan at Duck Harbor parking lot

The Select Board approved a town‑property permit for a Cornell monitoring project at Duck Harbor. Evan Herberlane, a postdoctoral associate at Cornell, described plans to rent a boom‑lift to elevate a camera above the channel to record overwash events during spring tides in late October; he said the project will not block public access to the lot and that Cornell already holds a National Seashore research permit.

Herberlane said the channel has widened significantly since monitoring in 2023 and that elevated views from the parking lot will improve scientific and management understanding of overwashes related to the Herring River restoration. Board members and staff asked that Cornell share results with the town; planning and DPW indicated they were comfortable if the applicant coordinates logistics and secures required approvals. The board moved and approved the permit for Oct. 26–30.