BARNSTABLE — The federal American Rescue Plan Act sent $41.3 million to Barnstable County. That money has now been divided into four separate pots: $12.8 million will be spent by […]
COURT REPORT
Homeowners Take Town to Court Over Pool Project
High elevation district rules led the planning board to reject a plan
PROVINCETOWN — Michael Shuster and Richard McCracken were hoping to partially clear away the vines and briars that cover the rear portion of their 16,500-square-foot lot at 99 Bayberry Avenue […]
HOUSING
Wellfleet ADU Slips Through Regulatory Cracks
There is no system for monitoring a deed-restricted rental unit
WELLFLEET — The tenant in a deed-restricted affordable accessory dwelling unit (ADU) was evicted by his landlord last year, and town officials say they do not know whether the apartment […]
TAX RELIEF
Taxation Aid Committee Makes Applying Easier
Truro fund could help more than the 5 or 6 who apply each year
TRURO — The town’s taxation aid committee has begun accepting applications from residents who need help paying their property taxes this year — and, working with the town’s finance office, […]
DEVELOPMENT
Another Big House Plan Raises Eastham Neighbors’ Worries
Owners want to use existing cottage as an accessory dwelling
EASTHAM — The owners of a 733-square-foot house are asking the planning board to allow them to convert it into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and build a new 4,081-square-foot […]
AGENDA-SETTING
Provincetown Aims Higher on Local Housing Policy
At housing workshop, ideas from other resort towns, and a cry for help
PROVINCETOWN — With Hanukkah already underway and Christmas less than a week off, Monday night was not the most likely time to find 60 people at a meeting on housing. […]
WALSH PROPERTY
Committee Considers Mixed-Use Development for Truro Tract
Food insecurity and housing insecurity are related, advocates say
TRURO — Wendy Lurie, a founder of the Truro Community Kitchen (TCK), proposed to the Walsh Property Community Planning Committee on Dec. 14 that a “food security joint facility” for […]
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Cloverleaf Gets $16 Million in State Funding
Construction of the 39-unit complex should begin next summer
TRURO — A process that began in 2015 crossed a critical threshold last week when the state awarded $7.8 million in grant money and $8.5 million in tax credits to […]
BUSINESS
Wellfleet Denies Seasonal Liquor Store’s Extension Request
It matters to a year-round store that’s sometimes ‘the only light on Main Street’
WELLFLEET — The select board voted unanimously on Dec. 6 to deny a seasonal liquor license extension request from Wellfleet Wine and Spirits, the store on Route 6 in the […]
PLANNING
Housing Production Plan Takes on a Crisis
Truro incomes and home prices continue to fly apart
TRURO — Four committees — the town’s select board, planning board, housing authority, and conservation commission — all got a look at a draft version of Truro’s Five Year Housing […]
TRURO TREASURES
Recreational Shellfishing Opens at Pamet Harbor
Truro has its pickers and scratchers — and one new applicant for a commercial spot
TRURO — Recreational shellfishing opened for the season at Pamet Harbor on Dec. 4 after a month of delays due to water quality issues. The water had tested high for […]
AQUACULTURE
‘Use It or Lose It’: Making Way for New Shellfish Grants
Lottery set for two Egg Island plots, with two more on Indian Neck soon to follow
WELLFLEET — When Nancy Civetta was hired in 2017 as the town’s shellfish constable, she was given a clear directive: “enforcement, propagation, and communication,” she said. Civetta took it to […]
WELLFLEET HARBOR
Marina Committee Readies Ideas for Parking Changes
Making people pay to park would be ‘a gold mine,’ says one member
WELLFLEET — It’s taken a few years, but the Wellfleet Marina Advisory Committee hopes soon to be ready with some recommendations for changing the town’s parking policies to help resolve […]
HOUSING
Provincetown Wants 36 Apartments at Police Station
Select board asks if some could be reserved for firefighters
PROVINCETOWN — The next step toward a new housing complex at the site of the current police station at 26 Shank Painter Road should happen in January, Town Manager Alex […]
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Staff Shortages and Stress Affect First Responders
Outer Cape departments face critical need but candidates are few
Staff shortages at Outer Cape fire departments and rescue squads are increasing pressure on the first responder teams who answer emergency calls. Local fire chiefs point to a dearth of […]