Meetings Ahead
Meetings are held remotely. Go to eastham-ma.gov/calendar-by-event-type/16 and click on a particular meeting to read its agenda. That document will provide information about how to view and take part remotely.
Thursday, Oct. 8
- Historical Commission, 4 p.m., regular meeting, 4:20 p.m.
- Nauset Regional School Committee, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 10
- Board of Library Trustees, 9 a.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 13
- Conservation Commission, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 14
- Finance Committee, 5 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 15
- Affordable Housing Trust, 11 a.m.
Conversation Starters
Covid-19 Update
As of Sept. 30, Eastham had one active case of Covid-19, 15 cases that are considered recovered, and no deaths.
Developing Concepts for T-Time
While the T-Time building was torn down last month, the T-Time Development Committee continues to build on its research that includes economic, community, and infrastructure development for the 11-acre parcel purchased for $1.6 million by the town last year.
“The charge of our committee is to bring a concept to the select board of what would work there for all citizens of Eastham,” committee chair Scott Kerry said.
Kerry said it would be at least a year before the committee would be ready to make its presentation to the select board.
“We’ve got time,” he said. “Potentially this could be the center piece of North Eastham. I think it requires a deep dive to do it right.”
Some of the economic potential being examined for the site includes providing working space for local businesses, including the fishing industry, tradespeople, and artists.
“I think there’s growing need for young people to have a place to operate their business,” said Kerry.
The group is also considering options for housing, recreation, a community center, and moving the council on aging to the T-Time site.
Kerry acknowledged that he receives suggestions daily and encouraged residents to bring their ideas to the committee’s meetings. The first 10 minutes of the meetings are open for public discussion, and public input is often sought during the meetings as well.
“We had some new faces at our meeting this week and that’s great,” said Kerry.
The committee’s meeting times and links to the agenda, which includes Zoom access information, are posted on the town’s website.
Liquor License Decision Delayed
A pending court case prompted the select board to delay action at its Oct. 5 meeting on the 2021 annual liquor license for Woody’s Eastham Lobster Pool LLC, dba Stewart’s Seafood Restaurant, at least until the Oct. 7 meeting, when it could be determined just when the 30-day window of approval for acting on the application would expire.
“There is currently a court case open, which does affect character regarding the approval of a liquor license with Woody’s Eastham Lobster Pool doing business as Stewart’s Seafood Restaurant, and with that there is a coming case that is set to be held on Oct. 20,” said board chair Jamie Demetri.
“As a board we could approve everything tonight,” she said. “That would stay within the 30-day window of approval, but if something were to come out of this court case that would cause a question of character and the approval of a liquor license we could revisit and revoke it if we need to.”
Vice chair Aimee Eckman suggested that if the court date fell within the 30-day window for action on the license, “why not just wait until after the court date for our next meeting?”
“I think it makes sense to get our ducks in a row and revisit this Wednesday,” said board member Jared Collins.
New Tax Rate Possibility
Should voters approve both override questions at the Oct. 6 special town election — $400,000 for permanent funding of town’s capital plan, and $490,500 to fund the family support package — the 2021 tax rate will be $9.18, Finance Director Rich Bienvenue told the board of assessors at their Sept 30 meeting.
