Meetings Ahead
Most meetings in Eastham are in-person, typically with an online-attendance option. Go to eastham-ma.gov and click on the meeting you are interested in for details. All meetings are at Town Hall unless otherwise indicated.
Thursday, Aug. 24
- Council on Aging Board of Directors, 9 a.m. Earle Mountain Meeting Room
Monday, Aug. 28
- Visitors Tourism and Services Board, 3:30 p.m., Small Meeting Room
Conversation starter
Parking Dispute Continues
Town Administrator Jacqui Beebe and the select board are at an impasse with the National Seashore over a 2022 agreement regarding the rights of Eastham taxpayers to park in any space available in the NPS-managed lots at Nauset Light and Coast Guard Beach.
On Aug. 14, National Seashore Supt. Brian Carlstrom formally responded to Beebe’s initial letter, sent on Aug. 1, which argued that the Seashore was violating both last year’s agreement and the superseding 1965 deed that conveyed the beaches by turning away Eastham taxpayer sticker-holders.
Carlstrom disputes Beebe’s interpretation. The agreement reserved free and specific spots for Eastham residents but did not convey “the ability to park for free anywhere in the designated NPS lots,” he wrote.
Carlstrom’s letter noted that the Seashore “[does] not believe” it has prevented Eastham taxpayers from parking “in accordance with the deed reservations.”
“It is not causing a good feeling in the community,” Beebe said. “We cannot give up this basic right.”
While the select board has discussed taking legal action, board member Gerry Cerasale cautioned against making the Seashore “more defensive” by going that route.
With the summer 2023 parking season nearly over, Beebe and the select board agreed to schedule a meeting with Carlstrom, Eastham Recreation & Beach Director Christine Mickle, and possibly Police Chief Adam Bohannon to settle the dispute before next summer. —Amelia Roth-Dishy
