b'C H A P T E R E L E V E NFriends board stalwarts, worked tirelessly to put revisions before Town Meeting. They were successful, and four amendments did pass at the 2001 session. However, professionals on the Town payroll smoldered at this intervention by freestanding volunteers. Now, in mid-2003, theres a good question whether attitudes on both sides have softened. Its important to add, however, that the two managements do work on the problem.But the weather at the Lower Capes elbow joint isnt always sour. On November 27, 2002, an E-mail went to FCWs George Olmsted and Martha Stone from the Towns director of Health & Environment, Bob Duncanson. He wanted to advise them that the Board of Health would soon hold its next informational workshop on the proposed interim nitrogen-loading regulation. Then he added this critical sentence: The development community has begun to actively involve themselves in the discussion, other viewpoints are most welcome.This notice came six days before the upcoming workshop. There was a time when FCW might not have received this heads up so early, if at all. In similar vein, during the winter of 2002-03, a ten-page report, bulked up with 37 tables and charts, was distributed in Chatham from the Department of Health & Environment. The subject: Chatham Coastal Water Quality Nutrient Monitoring Program, Year 3 Summary, 2001. While the document was circulated to thirteen Town boards, committees and individuals, it was directed primarily to the 140 Chatham Water Watchers, recruited by FCW, who save the Town some $200,000 in wages. In his memo introducing the report, Dr. Duncanson said to these workers:I would like to take this opportunity to once again THANK all of you foryour dedication resulting in another successful monitoring season. The level of dedication and commitment is reflected in the high quality of the data contained in this report.In this activity, the men and women of Chatham Water Watchers augment a vital process for the Town. Ultimately, the data they produce will underlay the case for the greatly increased sewer systems that are almost inevitable in Chatham. So the CWW effort is unquestionably important. And the relationship today between the Town and FCW in that project is comfortable.Beyond that interface, FCW is bringing specific experience to bear on potential amendments to the Zoning Bylaw. Is this one more intrusion by the Friends in an area where Town professionals should skipper the ship? Will the outside effort serve, once again, to threaten ties between Town and Friends? No202'