PROVINCETOWN — Cheryl Andrews, a veteran elected official in Provincetown, is the first challenger to declare her candidacy for the Barnstable County Commission race this fall. The commission is the three-person executive branch of county government and writes the county’s budget, among other powers. There are currently two Democrats and one Republican on the commission. […]
CIVICS
There’s a New Town Planner at Work
Thaddeus Soulé says that ‘everyone is a planner’
PROVINCETOWN — Thaddeus Soulé, the new town planner, said that he’s out to cast a wide net and bring as many people as possible into Provincetown planning. In a recent interview, Soulé emphasized inclusionary and consensus-driven planning. “I think everyone is a planner,” he said. “Everyone has the capacity to provide input and help shape […]
REGATTA REDUX
Schooner Regatta Looks for New Skipper
There are plenty of volunteers, but an organizer is needed
PROVINCETOWN — The year 2020 will see the 19th annual Great Provincetown Schooner Regatta, starting on Labor Day and running for four days, as long as somebody steps forward to take charge of organizing the event. Planning usually gets underway in winter. But after nine years at the helm, Cheryl Andrews says she is stepping […]
ECONOMY
Short-term Rental Tax Nets $672K in New Revenue
Receipts show it was a very good year for tourism
PROVINCETOWN — The rooms occupancy tax and the meals tax draw attention every year for two reasons — they are a reliable indicator of how the tourist industry is doing, and they also are actual tax revenue that support local programs. Normally, what these numbers show about the underlying economy is the more important consideration. […]
CIVICS
VFW Building Scheduled for Demolition
Any use of the land involves removing the structure, officials say
PROVINCETOWN — The VFW building at 3 Jerome Smith Road was built entirely by veterans, says VFW post member Paul Mendes — volunteers who donated their skills as carpenters or electricians to help construct a post building that was a social center of town for generations. “It’s a very strong building — it can hold […]
CLIMATE
Another Winter Without a Dune Protecting Gosnold St.
Shifting sands and legal tangles lead to temporary measures
PROVINCETOWN — The Jan. 4, 2018, nor’easter brought a storm surge with it that seemed to lift water out of Provincetown harbor and pour it down Gosnold Street like a river. Salt water rose up over the beach and flowed along Gosnold to Bradford Street, where it formed a deep pool around the Bas Relief […]
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Move to Alter VFW Plan Fails in Close Vote
Voters lament ‘Sophie’s choice,’ want both housing and public safety
PROVINCETOWN — By a margin of just 19 votes, 157 in favor, 176 against, Monday’s special town meeting rejected Fire Chief Mike Trovato’s plan for the former VFW site on Jerome Smith Road. The sole article on Monday’s warrant — initiated by Trovato’s petition, signed by 203 citizens — would have designated the town-owned 1.3-acre […]
HEALTH
It’s Open Enrollment for Health Insurance Through Jan. 23
Here’s a consumer’s guide to help you through the maze
PROVINCETOWN — Massachusetts had universal health care before it was cool. Even before Obamacare, local residents were able to get insurance regardless of their work situation, income level, or pre-existing conditions. Some people still haven’t signed up, though. And others might be paying more than they need to. The Independent talked to health care access […]
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
New Station or Housing? The VFW Parcel’s Long, Winding Road
Six years of town meeting votes led to the current moment
PROVINCETOWN — The 1.3-acre parcel of town-owned land that was the former VFW post is once again the subject of debate. A petitioned article from Fire Chief Mike Trovato and 203 voters has triggered a special town meeting in the town hall auditorium at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2. The petitioners want the parcel […]
HOUSING
Patrick’s Dormitory Plan Clears First Hurdle
Select board allocates 80 percent of remaining housing ‘gallons’ to project
PROVINCETOWN — Two of the most acute needs this community is facing, according to multiple studies, surveys, and the town’s own economic development plan, are year-round rental housing and seasonal employee housing. Patrick Patrick, owner of Marine Specialties at 235 Commercial St., has proposed a building project that would help address both of them. He […]
HOUSING
Third Public Forum Explores Possible Outcomes for VFW Housing
Income levels and funding sources are connected variables
PROVINCETOWN — Providing affordable rental housing here for one underserved income group — those making 60 to 80 percent of the area median — is going to be a challenge. At the third community forum on housing at the VFW site on Jerome Smith Road, held on Nov. 13, planning consultant JM Goldson presented a […]
ECONOMY
How Was the Tourist Season? It’s Too Soon to Say
Key tax data won’t be available until Dec. 30
PROVINCETOWN — The tourism industry brings about $200 million into Provincetown every year, according to Tony Fuccillo, Provincetown’s director of tourism. It’s an enormous economic engine that touches nearly everyone in town, regardless of occupation, and with most of the 2019 season in the rearview mirror, it’s common to try to assess how well the season […]
CIVICS
Select Board Comes Down Hard on Fire Chief’s VFW Plan
A unanimous vote not to recommend petitioned article at special town meeting
PROVINCETOWN — The most consequential vote at Tuesday’s select board meeting came after most of the audience had left: a unanimous decision not to recommend Fire Chief Mike Trovato’s petitioned article at the Dec. 2 special town meeting. The board members’ statements against the proposal were wide-ranging and emphatic. They came at the end of […]
civics
Select Board Eyes Shake-Up of Harbormaster’s Dept.
Employees could be moved from Pier Corp. to town staff
PROVINCETOWN — The select board will hear from the Pier Corp. on Nov. 12 about the harbormaster’s budget, money that the town has paid to the Pier Corp. for years. This arrangement dates to 2005, but the agreement defining it expired in 2017. The select board must now either develop a new agreement with the […]
CIVICS
Fire Chief Triggers Dec. 2 Town Meeting
Lone article would reserve VFW site for police and fire stations
PROVINCETOWN — Longtime Fire Chief Mike Trovato has turned in a petition with 203 signatures on the future of the VFW site, enough to trigger a special town meeting now set for Monday Dec. 2. The meeting will consider a single article, Trovato’s plan to dedicate the former VFW property at 3 Jerome Smith Road […]
