TRURO — Candidates night at the Community Center on May 6 felt more like political speed dating, with familiar faces returning for another round and a few newcomers trying to cut in. The main attraction was a three-way contest for two select board seats between Sue Areson, Bob Weinstein, and John Dundas.
Areson and Weinstein both seek re-election. Dundas, a former select board member who bowed out last year, wants back in.
Four candidates are vying for two seats on the planning board, with Harlen Howard and 11th-hour write-in candidate Eric Jansen challenging incumbents Jack Riemer and Paul Kiernan. (See profiles on pages A6 and A7.)
Areson, the select board’s current chair, joined in 2019. She retired to Truro in 2016 after a 40-year journalism career that began at the Provincetown Advocate. Since then, she has served on the zoning board of appeals, finance committee, and the Friends of the Truro Library.
“My priorities for Truro are those outlined in the local comprehensive plan,” Areson said, citing the housing crisis, environmental protection, and collaborative governance.
She wants the Walsh property plan to include deed-restricted home ownership options and emphasized a need for housing solutions that don’t leave the middle behind.
“Addressing Truro’s environmental, housing, and economic challenges will take creativity and collaborative work,” she said. “I want to be part of that effort, and I have the temperament and skills to do so.”
Dundas, a retired military officer now working in cyber security, moved to Truro, his mother’s hometown, in 2006. He currently serves on the board of health and the cemetery commission, though he’s not seeking re-election to the latter. He served one term on the select board from 2021 to 2024.
“Every decision, everything I think about, begins and ends with safety,” said Dundas. He added that he thinks water is the “most important thing we need to be focused on” when it comes to housing. He has endorsed Areson’s re-election bid.
Weinstein, the board’s vice chair, has served since 2013. A 50-year Truro resident and former construction company owner, he has served on nearly every town board, including chairing the planning and zoning boards.
“I think the greatest strength in Truro is the incredible population that we have,” Weinstein said. “There are so many people in this community who keep all of us who are in public service on our toes by asking really probing, good questions.”
Peter Herridge asked if Weinstein would continue to support building a new DPW facility at 340 Route 6. “I respect consensus,” said Weinstein, noting the board’s decision on Feb. 25 to select Town Hall Hill. “This board made a decision. It is a decision that I will live with.”
Dennis O’Brien asked how voters could trust Weinstein to stop “bullying” constituents. Weinstein declined to respond, saying it was a personal attack. Town Moderator Paul Wisotzky cut O’Brien off when he persisted.
Areson said she supports the current 35 percent residential tax exemption rate but would not raise it. Dundas said it was “set perfectly” now but noted he had opposed it in the past.
Weinstein said he was open to debate on the RTE but has “little sympathy for people who own a second house.” If they want more say in town, he said, they should change their voter registration.
Riemer asked about renegotiating the intermunicipal water agreement between Truro and Provincetown, which does not expire for another 10 years. Weinstein reminded him it originated in a legislative act decades ago.
Dundas, who previously represented Truro on the joint water and sewer board, and Areson stressed the importance of continued collaboration with Provincetown. “There seems to be this notion that we’re going to build, build, build and forget about the water resource — that is not the case,” said Areson. “It is of utmost importance to Truro to protect the resource.”
Bob Panessiti asked how the candidates would improve communication on projects like the DPW facility amid “so much misinformation.”
Areson plugged the upcoming town website overhaul and said she’s always available to answer questions. “I’m sorry there is so much misinformation floating around, but the fact is, people need to prosecute information wherever they get it,” she said. “If they choose not to do that, that’s not on the select board.”
