Meetings Ahead
Meetings are held remotely. Go to eastham-ma.gov/calendar-by-event-type/16 and click on a particular meeting to read its agenda. That document will provide information about how to view and take part remotely.
Monday, Aug. 3
- Select board, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 5
- Board of Assessors, 11 a.m.
- Community Preservation Committee, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 6
- Zoning Board of Appeals, 5 p.m.
Conversation Starters
Covid-19 Update
As of July 23, the number of confirmed cases in Eastham was 12. The number increased from 10 for the first time since June 4, according to the town’s website.
New Bedford Man Arrested
Ricardo Velez-Gonzalez, a 33-year-old New Bedford man, was arrested at the Village at Nauset Green in Eastham on July 23 and later charged with manslaughter in connection with the July 17 shooting of Keven Rocha on Margin Street in New Bedford, according to a press release from the Eastham Police Dept.
On July 21, police and prosecutors were granted an arrest warrant for Velez-Gonzalez from New Bedford District Court. On July 22, investigators received information that the suspect was staying at a friend’s apartment at the newly constructed Nauset Green affordable housing complex.
After performing surveillance, investigators confirmed Velez-Gonzalez was inside and took him into custody without incident.
He was arrested by members of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III’s Mass. State Police Unit, Eastham police, Mass. State Police STOP Team, the state police’s Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, and the state police’s D-Troop CAT Team.
Velez-Gonzalez was arraigned in New Bedford District Court and ordered held without bail pending the results of dangerousness and bail revocation hearings scheduled for July 30.
Transfer Station Policy
Effective July 28, the transfer station will dedicate the first hour of operation (between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.) to adults 60 years or older only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Face coverings will continue to be required, even during that first hour of operation. The rest of the previously implemented safety protocols will continue to be in place as well, including maintaining six-foot separation, no picking, no gathering, no visiting if you feel ill, using the glass disposal areas one person at a time, and waiting your turn before approaching a disposal location.
Mask and Crowd Concerns
Town Administrator Jacqui Beebe said she’s received the most complaints from citizens about people not wearing masks on the bike trail and not abiding by social distancing guidelines on the beaches.
But the two ocean beaches, Nauset Light and Nauset Coast Guard, and a major part of the bike trail are located in the National Seashore.
“That’s tough for us because it’s not even in our jurisdiction,” Beebe said of the bike trail.
She said people have also complained that the beaches are too crowded.
“But honestly, I think that people are doing their distancing in groups,” Beebe said.
“I don’t even know what we could possibly do about that, either,” select board member Jared Collins said.
In light of the news of a large party held in Chatham, select board chair Jamie Rivers advised citizens to call the police non-emergency line if they see lots of cars at a residence or 20 or more people gathered at a residence.
Election Is Coming
The state primary election on Sept. 1 is fast approaching. To avoid face-to-face encounters at the polls, one option available is to vote by mail. Earlier this month, registered voters were mailed a vote-by-mail application. Applications are also available on the town clerk’s webpage at eastham-ma.gov/town-clerk. The clerk’s office is accepting and processing applications now.
The last day to register to vote for this election is Saturday, Aug. 22. Registration forms will be available at the police dept. from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m.
Committee Resignation
The select board accepted Glenn Olson’s resignation as Eastham’s representative to the Cape Cod Regional Technical School Committee. —Ryan Fitzgerald
