Meetings Ahead
Most meetings in Wellfleet are remote only, but some are being held in person. Go to www.wellfleet-ma.gov/calendar and click on the meeting you want to watch, then follow the instructions on the agenda.
Thursday, July 7
- Housing Authority, 10 a.m.
- Maurice’s Campground Financial Subcommittee, 3 p.m.
Monday, July 11
- Right of Public Access Committee, 10 a.m.
Tuesday, July 12
- Select Board, 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 14
- Select Board & Finance Committee joint meeting, 3 p.m.
- Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m.
Conversation Starters
Grant Holders Get More Time
Shellfishermen will now have 30 days to appeal a select board decision to revoke a shellfish grant if the license holder fails to meet minimum productivity standards.
The select board voted on June 28 to amend Section 7.13.3 of the town’s shellfishing regulations regarding failure to meet productivity requirements. Grant holders previously had two weeks to appeal a revocation. All the board members but Michael DeVasto voted in favor of a 30-day appeal period. DeVasto recused himself because, as a grant-holder, he has a conflict of interest.
In a letter to the board, Shellfish Constable Nancy Civetta advised against the change. “We believe that there must have been a reason why shellfish advisory [board] and the select board decided that this appeal period should be two weeks back when it was implemented,” she wrote.
She also stated that, although the shellfish advisory board voted 4-3 on June 22 to change the appeal period to 30 days, her department did not believe there is anything wrong with the way regulation Section 7.13.3 is written. “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it,” Civetta wrote.
But select board member Barbara Carboni said that “it sometimes takes people a while to figure out whether they want to try to save their grant or not. They have to talk to family members.”
Other shellfishing regulations have a 30-day appeal period, said chair Ryan Curley. “This establishes a more consistent appeal period throughout the regs.”
Curley Remains Chair
Kathleen Bacon, who was elected to a two-year term on the select board on June 21, nominated herself for chair of the board during its leadership reorganization meeting on June 28. Three positions — chair, vice-chair, and clerk — were up for election.
Bacon said that she “didn’t see a problem” with the current leadership but that “a change would be positive. I’m willing to serve and work as hard as I can and I hope you’ll support me.”
“I feel like we’re kind of in the middle of things,” Michael DeVasto said of the work chair Ryan Curley is doing. “And I think that warrants a continuation.”
Ultimately, all the members voted for Curley to continue as chair except Bacon, who abstained.
John Wolf nominated Barbara Carboni to replace DeVasto as vice chair, but the motion failed after Curley and DeVasto voted against it. DeVasto will continue to serve as vice chair.
John Wolf’s continued service as clerk was uncontested. —Emma Madgic
