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, Sept. 21
- Nauset Regional Middle School Advisory Council, 3:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 25
- Visitors Tourism and Services Board, 3:30 p.m., Small Meeting Room
- Select Board, 5:30 p.m., Earle Mountain Meeting Room
Tuesday, Sept. 26
- Conservation Commission onsite, 8:15 a.m. Town Hall
- Conservation Commission, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 28
- Council on Aging Board, 9 a.m., Earle Mountain Room
- Board of Health, 3 p.m., Earle Mountain Room
Conversation Starter
Nova, the Police Dog
The Eastham Police Dept.’s first community resource dog is living up to her name — Nova — chosen by her handler, school resource officer Dan Burnham.
A nova, he said, “is a star that brightens by 1,000 to 100,000 times. I thought she would brighten people’s day.” She’s been doing that at Nauset Regional High School since her arrival on Sept. 9.
“They love her,” Burnham said of the students’ responses to the pup. Sometimes the kids see police officers and steer clear, “even though I think I’m a nice person,” he said. But now, “the kids are coming up to say hi to Nova and then having a conversation with me about her.”
The idea of adding a community resource dog to Eastham’s roster came to Burnham during training at the National Association of School Resource Officers. “I’d see more and more comfort therapy dogs,” he said.
Nova will undergo training early next year to earn her AKC Canine Good Citizen certification with plans to train her in “friendly find” capabilities to assist in searches for missing persons.
In addition to her work at the high school, Nova will be visiting the elementary school and attending town events and will be at the courthouse to help with victims of violent crimes or anyone who has gone through a traumatic experience.
“That would include first responders after tough calls,” said Burnham.
When not on duty, Nova lives with Burnham and his family. He said his six-year-old daughter and four-year-old son adore the new addition. —Linda Culhane
