Meetings in Truro are often held remotely. Go to Truro-ma.gov and click on the meeting you are interested in for an agenda and details on how to join.
Thursday, Aug. 14
- School Committee, 4:30 p.m., online only
Friday, Aug. 15
- Library Board of Trustees, 9 a.m., Public Library
Monday, Aug. 18
- Ad Hoc Town Seal Committee, 9 a.m., Community Center
- Zoning Task Force, 11 a.m., Town Hall
- Energy Committee, 5 p.m., online only
- Zoning Board of Appeals, 5:30 p.m., online only
Tuesday, Aug. 19
- Shellfish Advisory Committee, 3 p.m., Town Hall
- Board of Health, 4:30 p.m., Town Hall
Wednesday, Aug. 20
- Cemetery Commission, 9 a.m., Town Hall
- Planning Board, 5 p.m., online only
Conversation Starter
Piping Plover Chicks Found Dead
Two piping plover chicks were found dead at Fisher Beach in the week of July 21, and town officials believe the deaths were caused by dogs. The tiny shorebirds are listed as threatened on both federal and state endangered species lists.
They were found with “injuries that were consistent with previous dog-related incidents,” Emily Beebe, Truro’s health and conservation agent, told the select board at its Aug. 12 meeting, and dog tracks were observed nearby.
According to the National Audubon Society, dogs pose a threat to piping plovers, especially when they are unleashed. Nonetheless, incidents of this type are rare — Beebe said that she’s not aware of any similar incidents in the 10 years she has worked on shorebirds for Truro.
On all 11 of Truro’s town-owned beaches, pets are prohibited from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Labor Day. At some of them, pets are prohibited at all times. A list of pet closures is on the town’s website at truro-ma.gov.
Beebe said the town should improve its signage informing people about beach closures to pets, especially at places like Fisher Beach where there is more than one access point.
The town is also looking into increasing the fines for violating pet restrictions and developing an enforcement plan, she said.
Acting Town Manager Kelly Clark said the town is considering releasing a photo of the dead shorebirds in order to drive home the importance of protecting them.
“I have not seen the images of the dead chicks, but that is an image that I’m sure stays with people,” Clark said. —Lauren Hakimi
