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, Oct. 3
- Board of Assessors, 9:30 a.m., Assessor’s office
Monday, Oct. 7
- Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission, 1 p.m., Salt Pond Visitor Center, Eastham
Tuesday, Oct. 8
- Elementary School Committee, 5 p.m.
- Select Board, 6 p.m.
- Community Forum, 7 p.m., Adult Community Center & online
Wednesday, Oct. 9
- Historical Commission, 5 p.m.
Conversation Starters
Septic Regulations
More townspeople than usual were at the Sept. 25 board of health meeting; they came to air grievances about Wellfleet’s draft septic regulations. Part of the town’s larger Targeted Wastewater Management Plan, they are aimed at reducing nitrogen pollution in the harbor and bringing the town into compliance with state law.
The speakers’ main concern was that complying with the regulations could mean financial hardship.
The draft regulations mandate cesspool removal and septic system upgrades to the best available septic technology. Upgrades are triggered by new construction, the sale of a home or increasing its size, or when a property is placed in or taken out of trust ownership.
Speakers took particular issue with the trust ownership trigger. “That’s estate planning — that should not be linked with a septic system,” said real estate broker Ashley Fawkes-Sylver.
Others worried that the “best available technology” designation would mean that with rapidly advancing technology any septic upgrade would soon be obsolete. “If somebody comes up with a method in a couple of months that costs a million bucks per home, but it gets rid of all the nitrogen, is that what we have to use?” asked Taylor Burkhead.
Many wished the regulations would take aim first at cesspools. “Let’s find out how many cesspools we have before we do anything,” said Jude Ahern, who said she upgraded her septic system in 2016.
Health Agent Heith Martinez said that the town is working to inventory all the cesspools in town and hopes to have a completed database by the end of the year — after which enforcement of the rules requiring their removal would begin.
“I am not against what you are doing at all; we just have concerns,” said Don Armstrong at the close of the meeting.
Flu Shot Clinic
Cape Cod Healthcare is offering Wellfleet residents the most recent flu and Moderna Covid vaccines at the Adult Community Center on Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Shot-seekers must make an appointment; a link to the Cape Cod Healthcare scheduling portal is available on the town website’s homepage.
Those getting the shots should arrive wearing clothing that will allow that to happen easily — short sleeves or sleeveless shirts. —Sam Pollak
