Go to eastham-ma.gov/calendar-by-event-type/16 and click on a meeting to read its agenda. That document will provide information about how to view and take part remotely.
Thursday, Nov. 19
- Affordable Housing Trust, 11 a.m.
- Board of Health, 3 p.m.
- Harbor Planning Committee, 4 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 23
- Visitors Tourism and Promotion Services Board, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 24
- Conservation Commission on-site public meeting, 8:15 a.m.
- Conservation Commission, 6 p.m.
Conversation Starters
Covid-19 Update
As of Nov. 12, Eastham had two new active cases within the last 14 days, 19 cases considered recovered, and no deaths.
Council on Aging Services Suspended
The Council on Aging (COA) medical transportation and meal delivery services have been suspended, effective Nov. 16, after a staff member tested positive for Covid-19. Health Agent Jane Crowley said the town was notified of the positive test on Sunday, Nov. 15.
“They’re suspended for a period of time. At least a week, maybe more,” Town Administrator Jacqui Beebe said of the medical transportation and meal delivery services.
The COA had been closed to the public and was providing only transportation and meal delivery services, according to Beebe.
Crowley said on Tuesday that all contact tracing had been completed. She did not know if the COA employee was involved with the meal delivery or transportation services.
Beebe informed the select board of the staff member’s positive test at their Nov. 16 meeting, noting it was the first case of a town employee testing positive for coronavirus.
Wampanoag Reclaim Beaches
The select board approved a request by the Eastham 400 Commemoration Committee to extend the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe’s aboriginal rights to include use of Eastham’s town-managed beaches.
Tribal card holders will be issued seasonal visitor beach stickers at no charge.
Jim Russo, chair of the 400 Commemoration Committee, said the issue was brought to his attention during the filming of the Sunset Series videos, when he learned that tribal cards only gave off-reservation aboriginal rights for hunting, fishing, and trapping.
“As chair of the Eastham 400, I’d like to ask the select board to extend these rights to include access to Eastham town-managed beaches without cost,” said Russo.
“We’ve come to realize we can do more and correct the narrative that’s been out there for eons,” said Russo.” We can never go back to the way it was 400 years ago, but hopefully this is a gesture of our being able to share.”
“I was really excited when I saw this proposal,” said board chair Jamie Demetri. “Sometimes, with certain topics, money isn’t the issue. With this proposal, they’re definitely things that are far more important. Thank you to the 400 for bringing this to us.”
Conservation Agent Shana Brogan noted that only one or two shellfish permits had been issued to tribal card holders during her time with that department. —Linda Culhane
