Most meetings are being held in person, but some are still remote or virtual. Go to eastham-ma.gov/calendar-by-event-type/16 and click on the meeting you are interested in to learn about meeting locations and any remote options that may be offered.
Monday, Dec. 27
- Visitors Tourism and Promotion Services Board, 3:30 p.m., virtual
Conversation Starters
Mask Up
Eastham has had a mask mandate in place since Aug. 30, according to the town’s website.
Heavy Caseload
Eastham distributed more than 800 rapid Covid test kits to residents on Monday, Dec. 20 at the health department. Jamie Demetri of the select board said at that day’s board meeting that everyone who wanted a test kit got one, and that all the kits were gone after three and a half hours.
At the health board’s most recent meeting on Dec. 16, Eastham Board of Health Chair Joanna Buffington said she was surprised when she learned Eastham would be receiving the test kits.
The town was given the tests by the state because it is one of 102 communities with the highest proportion of residents living below the federal poverty level, which is $17,420 for a two-person household.
High Marks, Less Pay
Select board members gave Town Administrator Jacqui Beebe a composite 4.77 grade out of a possible 5.00 in her annual performance review on Monday.
“The consensus was that Jacqui’s made excellent staffing decisions,” Chair Art Autorino said at the meeting. In the past year, the town has hired a new fire chief and deputy chief, a library director, and a housing coordinator, among others. Board members also praised Beebe’s dedication and fiscal management. Beebe said the current board is the best she’s worked with “by far.”
Board members said they wanted Beebe to improve communication between town hall and residents and provide more training opportunities for staff.
Beebe made $136,073 in 2020, significantly less than the three other Outer Cape town managers and administrators. Truro hired Town Manager Darrin Tangeman in 2020 at a base salary of $172,000. Provincetown Town Manager Alex Morse, hired this year, earns $185,000 and received a $15,000 relocation bonus. Charlie Sumner is Wellfleet’s interim town administrator and makes $90 an hour, or $187,200 annually. Beebe’s salary is 75 percent of the three men’s average yearly pay. —Cam Blair
