Meetings Ahead
Most meetings in Eastham are in person, typically with an online-attendance option for both committee members and residents. Click on the meeting you want to attend on the calendar at eastham-ma.gov for a link to an agenda and details. All meetings are at Town Hall unless otherwise indicated.
Thursday, Feb. 1
- NRMS School Advisory Council, 3:30 p.m., NRMS Room 269
- Zoning Board of Appeals, 5 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 5
- Behavioral Health Task Force, 3:15 p.m.
- Nauset Regional School District Capital Asset Subcommittee, 5 p.m., Nauset Administration Office
- Select Board, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 6
- Zoning Task Force, 4 p.m.
- Forest Advisory Committee, 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 7
- Finance Committee, 4 p.m.
- Human Services Advisory Committee, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 8
- Community Preservation Committee, 4 p.m.
- Cultural Council, 6 p.m.
Conversation Starter
Town Meeting Decorum
Town Moderator Scott Kerry addressed town meeting expectations at the select board’s Jan. 29 meeting. He was there to address questions about how nonvoters should participate. The discussion was prompted by questions from Tom McNamara, vice president of the Eastham Part-Time Residents Association.
McNamara wanted to clarify where nonvoters should sit and whether they could ask questions.
McNamara asked whether nonvoters had to submit their questions ahead of the meeting. Kerry assured him that this was not the case.
McNamara also asked whether nonvoters would have to sit in a separate section of the meeting room, given that electronic voting has eliminated the need for raising one’s hand to vote.
Select board member Suzanne Bryan said that having separate sections allows everyone to see the voters present. “I do think it’s important for a resident who comes to town meeting to know if someone’s not a resident,” she said.
Select board member Jamie Demetri said it was important for nonvoters to introduce themselves properly when speaking. “If they are a nonresident taxpayer, they have to say that,” she said. “They don’t just state the address of their second home.”
Kerry said the discussion was not intended to “push anyone’s rights down” but rather to make sure the meeting will be run in a “proper manner.” —Olivia Oldham
