Meetings are held remotely. Go to www.truro-ma.gov, click on the meeting you want to watch, and open its agenda for instructions on how to watch or take part online.
Thursday, Jan. 14
- Select Board (executive session), 2:30 p.m.
- Energy Committee, 4:30 p.m.
- Zoning Board of Appeals, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 15
- Board of Library Trustees, 11:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan.19
- Finance Committee with Select Board, 10 a.m.
- Board of Health, 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 20
- Planning Board, 5 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 21
- Climate Change Action, 10 a.m.
- Zoning Board of Appeals, 5:30 p.m.
Conversation Starters
Covid-19 Update
As of Jan. 12, there were six active cases of Covid-19, according to Truro Health Agent Emily Beebe, and there have been 24 total cases, according to the state Dept of Public Health. Truro has had no deaths attributed to Covid-19.
Covid-19 Reporting Changes
Those who watch the local Covid-19 numbers will notice that the town recently stopped reporting total cases of the coronavirus. Three weeks ago, the town began reporting only active cases. To find all the cases among Truro town residents since the pandemic began, one must now go the state Dept. of Public Health weekly report.
Why the change? asked Stephanie Rein of the select board.
Health Agent Emily Beebe said there has been a lot of crossover of Truro residents who tested positive before moving to town and vice versa.
“So, keeping score of the total count is not constructive,” Beebe said. “What’s important is, are we cognizant of the active cases?”
Walsh Committee Mediator
The select board approved a $14,600 contract to the BSC Group of West Yarmouth to do a field survey and structural evaluation of the nine homes on the 70-acre Walsh property. The town purchased the property for $5.1 million in 2019. As the 16-member Walsh property committee begins to meet, it will get the results of the study.
It will also get some process and deliberation help from Stacie Smith of the Consensus Building Institute, who was also a paid consultant in the forming of the committee. Her ongoing services will cost up to $98,000, a figure that caused Select Board Chair Robert Weinstein to say, “I’m not a fan of spending” that much money.
Other select board members agreed Smith’s work would be important in guiding the committee in its decisions on future use of the Walsh land for open space, recreational, and housing purposes. Truro’s new town manager, Darrin Tangeman, said there is no expectation it will spend all $98,000. Smith can be paid incrementally, as needed, he said.
In total, the town has $160,000 to spend on the Walsh property committee, said Assistant Town Manager Kelly Clark.
—K.C. Myers.
