Septic Rules in Wellfleet
To the editor:
I’m writing to clarify statements I made about Wellfleet’s new septic regulations and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which were described as misleading in a recent Letter From the Editor [“Don’t Stop Talking,” Feb. 20]. Clarity around these regulations is important.
The regulations adopted on Jan. 22, 2025 clearly state that creating new conditioned space — such as converting a basement into an ADU — triggers the requirement to install a Best Available Nitrogen Reducing Technology (BANRT) system unless the property is in a proposed sewer district. This applies regardless of whether the project increases the property’s approved design flow under Title 5 (see Sections 601 and 300).
Section 601.1(D) allows the board of health to exercise discretion by extending compliance deadlines for good cause but does not allow the board to waive the requirement itself when a triggering event occurs. Homeowners deserve clear information about these costs, especially those considering ADUs to create affordable housing or space for family.
The cost of a BANRT system can make ADUs financially out of reach for many homeowners. If we want to encourage new housing, we need to understand how these regulations affect affordability.
I also want to address confusion in recent coverage of the Targeted Watershed Management Plan. The plan’s cost comparisons between sewer and Enhanced Innovative/Alternative (EIA) systems do not account for the fact that EIA systems will likely need to be replaced at least once over the typical lifespan (70+ years) of a sewer system. With required monitoring and maintenance, the true lifetime cost of EIA systems is higher than the plan suggests.
The select board’s decision to hold a public hearing ensures that the community understands the plan before it moves forward. DEP encourages local participation, and I support developing a plan that balances environmental protection, affordability, and long-term practicality.
Michael DeVasto
Wellfleet
The writer is vice chair of the Wellfleet Select Board.
Trump’s ‘Blitzkrieg’
To the editor:
I fear we are being bamboozled.
Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office was the latest in a series of moves that seem designed to hurt U.S. standing in the world. Trump and Putin set up the deal Trump was hoping to dazzle Zelenskyy into signing, proving that Trump is the great peacemaker. Even after all the yelling, Trump commented that this would be great television. Is great television important to Americans? Apparently so.
Support for Ukraine was overwhelmingly bipartisan at the time of Trump’s first impeachment trial. Russia helped Trump’s presidential runs in 2016, 2020, and 2024. It has a powerful propaganda machine active on social media — a factory that pumps out disinformation 24 hours a day. Putin is thrilled Trump won. The sanctions in place during previous administrations hurt him. A united NATO gives him pause.
Russia is the aggressor here. It invaded Ukraine twice. Do we in the U.S. approve of such invasions? Of course not. When did we switch? Well, we the people didn’t. Trump threw the switch during the “flood the zone” blitzkrieg of his first month in office: he impounded appropriated funds, illegally laid off federal workers, decimated agencies we need, laid siege to our economy, has taken aim at Social Security and Medicare, gutted the military leadership so his loyalists are in charge, and created so much chaos that none of us is sleeping too well.
How do we stop all this? The Republicans could stop it in a heartbeat if they started thinking about what is good for the country. Nixon was confronted by Republican senators in the Watergate scandal and resigned rather than face impeachment. Is siding with Russia against Ukraine and Europe enough to shake Republicans out of their complacency?
Paul Murray
Eastham
The Loss of a Dog
To the editor:
I was moved by Dennis Minsky’s reflective piece about losing his dog, Dory [“I Walk Alone,” Feb. 27, page A3]. All who have loved special animals can relate.
When we lost our beloved dog a few years ago, I read somewhere that the loss of a dog marks the end of an era. Indeed, we now find ourselves marking that period of our lives by “That was when we had Tycho.”
Dory appeared regularly in Mr. Minsky’s columns. Thanks for sharing her with us; we will miss her, too.
Eliza Miller
New York City
Letters to the Editor
The Provincetown Independent welcomes letters from readers on all subjects. They must be signed with the writer’s name, home address, and telephone number (for verification). Letters will be published only if they have been sent exclusively to the Independent. They should be no more than 300 words and may be edited for clarity, accuracy, conciseness, and good taste. Longer pieces (up to 600 words) may be submitted for consideration as op-ed commentary. Send letters to [email protected] or by mail to P.O. Box 1034, Provincetown, MA 02657. The deadline for letters is Monday at noon for each week’s edition.
