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, June 20
- Council on Aging Advisory Board, 9:30 a.m., Adult Community Center
- Local Housing Partnership, 4 p.m.
- Energy and Climate Action Committee, 7:15 p.m.
Monday, June 24
- Board of Water Commissioners, 7 p.m., Town Hall and online
Tuesday, June 25
- Select Board working meeting, 6 p.m., Town Hall and online
Conversation Starter
Planning for the Planner
At its June 4 meeting, the select board voted to approve a reorganization of the town planner position suggested by Town Administrator Tom Guerino.
The newly expanded position will also act as the town’s land use counsel, who will serve as a legal adviser for planning-related issues in town. The current town planner, Beth Piles, was hired by former Administrator Rich Waldo before he resigned in February. She had previously been the town’s conservation agent.
“We have an exceptionally skilled planner who also happens to have a law degree, who could fulfill the need and role of land-use attorney,” Guerino told the board. A salary of $135,000 is currently in the budget for the job, Guerino said.
Guerino said that the expansion of the role would cut down outside legal work, for which the town currently hires KP Law. With an in-house attorney providing advice on certain areas of general law, as much as $34,000 per year could be saved, Guerino said.
David Mead-Fox expressed concern that the expanded role would be a burden for one person, particularly because the town designed the planner role to absorb the job duties of a housing coordinator position, which was defeated in the 2023 annual election.
“I just want to put a little caution out there that we are not overloading a wonderful person,” said Mead-Fox. “We have been through versions of this in the town.”
Guerino said that the savings gleaned from the legal account could go to establishing a full-time assistant to support the town planner. —Sam Pollak
