Truro
Meetings Ahead
Meetings are held remotely. To watch live, go to truro-ma.gov and follow the “helpful link” to Truro Channel 18.
Thursday, July 30
- Zoning Board of Appeals, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 3
- Conservation Commission, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 4
- Board of Health, 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 5
- Planning Board, 6 p.m.
Conversation Starters
Covid-19 Update
As of July 24, Truro had three active cases of the coronavirus, 10 cases considered resolved, and no deaths.
Enforcing That Traveler Order
Truro’s Health Director Emily Beebe told the Truro Select Board a $500 daily fine will be assessed against the owner of any lodging establishment or home owner renting out their place as a short-term rental if their guest is found to have arrived in Massachusetts without a negative Covid-19 test or fails to self-quarantine for 14 days.
This statewide order goes into effect Aug. 1 and applies to all travelers except those from low-risk states, currently identified as New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Hawaii.
“So, if they get a test in California and then get on a plane where they could get exposed, the negative test is still valid?” asked board member Jan Worthington.
“Yes,” Beebe replied. “Personal responsibility is still important in lowering the risk of the virus,” Beebe added.
Walsh Committee Applicants Short on Youth
The select board is reopening the application process through August to see if more people will apply to be on a committee being formed to plan the future uses of the 70-acre Walsh property.
After a lengthy Covid-19-related delay, applications from 16 people were received, said consultant Stacie Smith, managing director of the Consensus Building Institute. The committee is slated to have eight to 12 members. Truro hired Smith to oversee the selection process.
They want the committee ready to go by Oct. 1.
The disproportionate number of seniors relative to younger residents who have applied to be on the committee prompted a re-opening of the application process.
Select board chair Robert Weinstein said he was dismayed that 10 seniors and only two people with young families were among the applicants.
The majority of applicants said affordable housing was their first priority, though it’s unclear if they meant affordable housing on the Walsh land, Smith said.
The select board agreed Tuesday to let Smith start interviewing the current candidates while they see if others, particularly younger people, do apply.
Payomet Gets Approval for Drive-In
The Payomet Performing Arts Center will continue to offer concerts and circus shows with a 100-person limit at the Highland Center in North Truro through the fall, after receiving a license from the select board Tuesday. Artistic Director Kevin Rice had wanted to have about 90 cars with up to 300 people to come to view shows in a drive-in fashion.
But right now, in spite of Payomet’s car-based distancing plan, the town is sticking with state guidance limiting performance gatherings to 100 people. Should the guidance change, his license allows him to go up to 300, according the select board’s vote. —K.C. Myers
