Meetings Ahead
Meetings are held remotely. To watch live, go to truro-ma.gov and find meetings on the lower right of the home page. Click on the agenda of the meeting you are interested in and follow directions within each agenda. To view meetings after they have occurred, go to the town home page, scroll down under News & Announcements, click on “Remote Meeting Information,” and follow directions there.
Thursday, May 28
- Select Board, 2 p.m.
Monday, June 1
- Conservation Commission, 2 p.m.
Wednesday June 3
- Board of Health, 2 p.m.
- Planning Board, 6 p.m.
Conversation Starters
Coronavirus Update
As of May 22, there were zero active cases of Covid-19 in Truro, and 10 resolved cases.
Agreement on Short-term Rentals?
On May 28 at 2 p.m. the Truro Select Board will consider two questions about short-term rentals posed by Eastham Select Board Chair Aimée Eckman. She seeks input from select board members from Brewster, Chatham, Provincetown, Truro, Orleans, and Wellfleet, according to the May 28 meeting agenda.
Eckman is asking if each board would like to see a minimum stay for short-term rentals this year. And if boards can agree on that, what would the minimum number of days be: 7, 14, or 28 days?
The results of this survey will be forwarded to state Sen. Julian Cyr and Rep. Sarah Peake, to guide policy as part of the county’s reopening plans. Cyr and Peake have advocated for consistent policies throughout the region.
Farmers’ Market Time?
Sustainable CAPE founder Francie Randolph is seeking permission to use town property to begin the Truro Educational Farmers’ Market on June 8. The select board will discuss the request on May 28.
The market usually draws about 400 people and is held from 8 a.m. to noon on Mondays through Aug. 31, according to the application. A delay of the June 8 opening will affect farmers’ incomes as well as SNAP (food stamps) card holders wishing to access fresh food locally at a discount, according to the application. The farmers’ market is the only SNAP-eligible food provider in Truro.
Town Meeting Date
Town staff will ask the select board at its 2 p.m. meeting Thursday to delay the town meeting from June 23 to Sept. 15, according to the agenda for that meeting.
After reviewing the idea of holding town meeting outside or using technology to allow for “satellite meeting spaces,” Town Manager Rae Ann Palmer stated there doesn’t appear to be a safe and effective way to hold town meeting in June. She also ruled out limiting the warrant articles to financial matters. In the end, she will recommend on May 28 that the town meeting be postponed.
Under the emergency regulations imposed by Gov. Charlie Baker, towns can spend one twelfth of their 2020 fiscal budget each month until a new fiscal year 2021 budget can be approved by voters.
All other Outer Cape towns have already delayed town meeting until the fall: Provincetown’s is Sept. 21, Wellfleet’s is Oct. 5, and Eastham’s will be either Sept. 21 or Sept. 28. —K.C. Myers
