Meetings are held remotely. Go to provincetown-ma.gov and click on the meeting you want to watch.
Wednesday, Dec. 2
- Historic District Commission, 4 p.m.
Conversation Starters
Covid-19 Update
As of Nov. 23, Provincetown had zero active cases of Covid-19, 37 cases considered recovered, and one death.
$50K Available for Child Care Vouchers
Provincetown residents or town employees who lost their free child care when Provincetown Schools Supt. Suzanne Scallion shut down the toddler day care program due to the pandemic may soon receive a voucher to send their children to another child care center.
While infants and preschoolers are now allowed back for Provincetown’s pioneering free program, but Scallion felt it was too difficult for toddlers to wear masks.
To help those families, perhaps 9 and 14 children, the select board on Nov. 23 considered how best to make $50,000 in school funds available for childcare vouchers.
Acting Town Manager Charlie Sumner suggested that a voucher program could include an income statement. The original program has no income eligibility requirement. But Sumner explained that, with only $50,000 available, he wanted to be sure those with the most need get help first.
Select board member Louise Venden objected to any sort of income restriction.
“This is a step in the wrong direction,” Venden said. “Making this additional burden of providing financial information isn’t necessary.”
Other select board members felt differently.
“We want to be able to afford it,” said Lise King.
“I’m not a big advocate of income verification, but the reality is we’ll have more demand than funds,” Sumner said.
Sumner said he and Scallion would bring a voucher plan back to the board for a vote at the next meeting.
—K.C. Myers
