Meetings Ahead
Most meetings in Wellfleet are remote only, but some are held in person. Go to www.wellfleet-ma.gov/calendar and click on the meeting you want to watch, then follow the instructions on the agenda.
Thursday, Aug. 3
- Housing Authority, 10 a.m.
- Nauset Regional School Committee, 5:30 p.m.
- State of the Town with Seasonal Residents, 7 p.m., Adult Community Center & Zoom
Tuesday, Aug. 8
- Select Board, 7 p.m., Adult Community Center & Zoom
Wednesday, Aug. 9
- Board of Health, 5:30 p.m.
Conversation Starters
Special Election
A spot on the select board opened when Kathleen Bacon announced her resignation. She will step down after a special election on Sept. 27. The eight months remaining in her term will end in May 2024. Those looking for a short stint in town government may toss their hats in the ring by contacting Town Clerk Jennifer Congel at town hall or emailing [email protected] for nomination papers.
The deadline for obtaining nomination papers is Aug. 7 at 5 p.m., according to Congel. They must be returned by 5 p.m. on Aug. 9. The last day to withdraw or object to nomination papers is Aug. 25 by 5 p.m.
Residents who are not registered to vote must register by Friday, Sept. 15 at 5 p.m. to be eligible to participate in the Sept. 27 election.
A Town Planner?
Voters at the special town meeting on Monday, Sept. 18 will decide whether to add the new position of a town planner to the roster at town hall. Wellfleet is one of the only Cape communities without a town planner.
According to a draft of the town meeting warrant, voters will be asked to approve a Proposition 2½ override to fund the new position with a sum of $145,000 covering salary and benefits. The town planner would support the building commissioner and zoning board of appeals in zoning enforcement, as well as assist in developing bylaws and supporting housing initiatives and programs.
Planning currently falls on the desk of the assistant town administrator, a position being filled on an interim basis by David Colton after Rebecca Roughley resigned at the end of June. “The lack of dedicated town planner results in the burnout of staff,” the warrant article states. “Wellfleet needs to address its underinvestment in the professional positions that are essential to governing.”
According to select board member and chair of Maurice’s Campground Planning Committee Ryan Curley, the town planner would help perform the duties that might have been assigned to a housing coordinator, but adding that job was defeated at May’s annual town election by 17 votes.
The town planner position will require a two-thirds majority at town meeting and a majority vote at the special town election on Sept. 27. —Sam Pollak
