Meetings Ahead
Most meetings are being held in person, but some are still remote or virtual. Go to eastham-ma.gov/calendar-by-event-type/16 and click on the meeting you are interested in to learn about meeting locations and any remote options that may be offered.
Thursday, Oct. 6
- Board of Assessors, 11 a.m., Town Hall
- Zoning Board of Appeals, 5 p.m., Town Hall
Tuesday, Oct. 11
- Conservation Commission, 8:15 a.m., Town Hall
- Conservation Commission, 6 p.m.
- Task Force on Residential Zoning, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 12
- Master Plan Public Workshop, 5:30 p.m., Public Library
Thursday, Oct. 13
- Nauset Regional School Committee, 6 p.m., Town Hall
- Climate Action Committee, 6:30 p.m.
Conversation Starter
Construction Cost Overrun
The Nauset Regional High School Building Committee is worried that the planned renovation of the school could be $20 million over budget.
The concern stems from the fact that some of the subcontracting bids have already come in way over the preliminary estimates, Town Administrator Jacqui Beebe told the Independent Oct. 4. The general contracting bids will be opened on Oct. 19; that is when the full picture will be revealed.
So far, bids for heating, venting, air conditioning, and other subcontracted areas indicate that the four towns (Eastham, Wellfleet, Orleans, and Brewster) paying for the $131.8-million project may have to ask voters for more, or make cuts in the plan, Beebe said.
“We cannot panic until we see the bids on Oct. 19, but this is not a good sign,” she said. “The bidding environment is so volatile.”
Depending on what happens on Oct. 19, the towns will need to talk about strategies. “But I honestly think it is awful to talk about it in the middle of the process,” she said.
The high school renovation passed in all four towns in March 2021. According to information at nausetbuildingproject.com, the first year of additional taxes per $100,000 of assessed property value is estimated as follows: Brewster, $76.59; Orleans, $30.99; Eastham, $42.66; and Wellfleet, $35.51. —K.C. Myers
