Meetings Ahead
Most meetings in Truro are remote. Go to truro-ma.gov and click on the meeting you want to watch. The agenda includes instructions on how to join.
Thursday, July 28
- Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod, Town Hall, 4 p.m.
Monday, August 1
- Conservation Commission, 5 p.m., virtual
Tuesday, August 2
- Select Board, One Cape Annual Summit, 7:30 a.m.
- Board of Health, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 4
- Climate Action Committee, 10:30 a.m.
Conversation Starters
Walsh Property Update
Tighe & Bond of Boston, Providence, and Westfield will work with Ridley & Associates of Harwich as the new master planning consultants on the Walsh Property Community Planning Committee (WPCPC). Town Manager Darrin Tangeman introduced the consultants on July 20 at the WPCPC meeting.
“Let’s be honest — this committee is very complex, and this isn’t an easy mission for a consultant,” said Tangeman, referring to the variety of opinions on the committee and in the community about uses for the property.
Sharon Rooney of Tighe & Bond will work with Carole Ridley as a subcontractor. The town will pay $87,000 for their services, Tangeman told the Independent.
The two presented a rough timeline, showing their work culminating with approval of a master plan at town meeting in the spring, and subsequent contracting of a developer.
Rooney and Ridley listed four major project tasks: facilitation of the WPCPC’s work, public outreach, and data gathering, master plan development, and community adoption. Ridley will primarily work to facilitate meetings with town officials and the public, while Rooney will serve as a liaison for the more technical aspects of the project, such as environmental and wastewater studies.
Rooney is no stranger to the town of Truro. She is currently consulting on the town’s local comprehensive plan, an effort she says “dovetails nicely” with the planning for the Walsh property.
WPCPC members seemed positive on the chance to work with Rooney and Ridley, but they expressed a few concerns.
“We all care about the environment, we all care about recreation opportunities, but Truro is in a housing crisis,” said WPCPC member Morgan Clark, pointing out “really conservative” sketches for housing plans in Tighe & Bond’s initial proposal. She asked what their experience was with affordable housing.
Rooney and Ridley both assured the committee of their experience with and commitment to affordable housing. Ridley cited her master’s degree in public policy, and Rooney referenced her work on an inclusionary zoning bylaw in Eastham.
Rooney and Ridley also have plans to involve the community in the planning process, including working with the town’s housing authority. They will organize a variety of community forums, focus groups, and surveys throughout the planning process.
The WPCPC will next meet with Rooney and Ridley to discuss community outreach on Aug. 17. —Nora Markey
