b'C H A P T E R E i C H TSmith, this was a common regulation in those days for the protection of farmers.Protection of land-holding farmers in the 17th century: how does that differ from protection of property rights in the 21st century?In much more recent time, kindred issues have cropped up. Through its short life, FCW has been fully aware of them. With the year 2000 approaching, FCW directors wanted to do what they could to help improve management of growth and development in the town through the fairly young Zoning Bylaw.Birth of the Zoning BylawHalf a century ago this spring of 2003, sentiment was stirring in Chatham in favor of preparing a new protective By-Law, as it was formally called.3 The measure got as far as 1953s Town Meeting. Voters were given plenty of details to mull over, but they balked. Their preference: to name a committee to put together a set of protective measures at some subsequent date.A year later, Town Meeting went at the matter again. As required in state law, the entire Bylaw had been sent to the Attorney General for review. Because he didnt respond in 90 days, the rules went into effect.4Not everyone in town was satisfied with them, however. And when Town Meeting was opened in 1956, a motion went to the floor to rescind the adoption two years earlier of the Protective Bylaw. More people were opposed to rescinding (295) than in favor (247), and the measure died. But unhappiness with the new code persisted, so another committee was formed to study it. In January 57, the members gave selectmen their findings. One of them reported that residents almost entirely agreed that some form of protection of the general character of the Town was desirable. With that, the members passed their conclusions along for aLawyer William Riley is a vote at Town Meeting later that year. There,formidable competitor, not only in zoning matters but elsewhere. the existing Protective By-Law of 1954 wasHes skied the Headwall at amended as the study committee hadTuckerman Ravine perhaps ten proposed.The vote: Yes, 262; No, 86. times, and skippered Bermuda races at least seven times, taking two firsts and a second.Gordon 7.ellner130'