Meetings Ahead
Meetings are held remotely. To watch live, go to truro-ma.gov. From there, follow the “helpful link” to Truro Channel 18.
Thursday, July 2
- Truro Energy Committee, 8:30 a.m.
Monday, July 6
- Planning Board, 2:30 p.m.
- Conservation Commission, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 7
- Board of Health, 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 8
- Planning Board, 6 p.m.
Conversation Starters
Covid-19 Update
As of June 19, there are zero active cases of the coronavirus and 10 resolved cases.
Motor Inn Loses License
The Truro Motor Inn, a rundown property on Route 6 that has served as affordable housing for years, finally lost its license to operate on Tuesday.
After years of health and safety code violations by a notorious Outer Cape landlord, the Truro Board of Health voted unanimously to deny the 36-unit motel a license to continue operating.
Daniel and David Delgizzi, who own about 85 units of mostly substandard but affordable housing from Provincetown to Orleans, were represented by attorney Dina Browne. She called the board’s action Tuesday afternoon “insensitive and unjust to the tenants.”
It violates the spirit of Gov. Charlie Baker’s executive order banning evictions during the pandemic, she said.
Gregg Corbo, the town’s attorney, countered that the executive order doesn’t protect those who knowingly violate local regulations for years and profit off the neglect.
“This isn’t an eviction,” Corbo said. “This is an order to relocate the tenants to suitable housing.”
That was, in fact, the second part of the board of health’s vote — that the Delgizzi family find suitable housing for the tenants. No clear figure on the exact number of tenants was determined Tuesday, though at least three tenants participated in the meeting.
Miguel Pettinelli, a tenant, said that if the board members really want to help the tenants, they can find apartments for them.
“If you really care about the problem, really help us,” he said.
Beaches Yes, Beach Fires No
The good news is Truro’s beaches are open, and just so long as you have the appropriate sticker and put your beach blanket 12 feet from the other beachgoers you will be able to enjoy Truro’s 11 beaches, according to town regulations. Masks must be worn if staying six feet from others isn’t possible.
On the downside, no day passes are available this year because town officials determined the passing of cash for the daily tickets would be unsafe for the beach attendants and visitors, said Town Manager Rae Ann Palmer. Wellfleet made the same decision at its only day-pass beach and also went a step further, banning even weekly passes normally sold to short-term renters at Lecount Hollow Beach.
In Truro, however, if you live, own a home, or are a short-term renter, nonresident beach stickers are available by the week and by the season.
The two biggest beaches are Head of the Meadow on the ocean side, with 118 parking spaces, and Corn Hill beach on the bayside, with 164 spaces. They are open — but not for day-trippers.
As for your July 4 plans, there will be no beach fires this year due to Covid-19-related regulations that town officials have imposed. Palmer said that may change later in the season. Other normal recreation activities in Truro are shut down for the same reason. There is no Truro Recreation summer camp this year, and the Puma Park Playground is closed. —K.C. Myers
