An Independent-minded calendar of arts and events for Outer Cape Cod

Advertise in the Indie.

Reach more readers from Eastham to Provincetown.

Unchained news for Outer Cape Cod

The Provincetown Independent

Let us bring you the paper.

Your subscription supports real community journalism.

meetings

    currents

    This Week in Eastham

    By

    Meetings Ahead

    Meetings are held remotely. Go to eastham-ma.gov/calendar-by-event-type/16 and click on a particular meeting to read its agenda. That document will provide information about how to view and take part remotely.

    Wednesday, July 8

    • Finance Committee, 5 p.m.

    Thursday, July 9

    • Zoning Board of Appeals, 4 p.m.
    • Tee-Time Development Committee Community Development Workgroup, 5 p.m.
    • Nauset Regional School Committee, 6 p.m.

    Conversation Starters

    Covid-19 Update

    As of June 27, the number of active cases in Eastham was 10. The number of cases has remained at 10 since June 4.

    Teardown Draws Seashore’s Interest

    A plan to raze three residential dwellings and a garage at 885 Doane Road Rear and build one new house and an accessory guest house and garage is on hold as owners Jeffrey and Mary McAleney, town officials, and the Cape Cod National Seashore try to come to agreement on the site’s square footage and its development potential.

    Last month, the planning board continued its site plan review of the project until its meeting on Aug. 19.

    On May 13, Seashore Supt. Brian Carlstrom told the town of “serious concerns … due to the scale of the proposal and its noncompliance with zoning parameters for the Seashore District.” Carlstrom wrote that current square-footage numbers used in the application are not consistent with the Seashore’s 1959 information, the basis for the determination.

    “We urge that the Planning Board request that the applicant downsize the project because we believe it is possible to propose a project that is more consistent with Eastham’s zoning bylaws,” Carlstrom wrote. “If this project proceeds to obtain the Board’s approval, moving forward with the project would subject the property to revocation of the Certificate of Suspension of Condemnation.”

    The certificate Carlstrom referred to was created in 1961, when the U.S. secretary of the interior issued standards for approval of town zoning bylaws related to properties in the Seashore. Those bylaws, according to the Park Service, “would result in the suspension of the secretary’s authority to acquire by condemnation ‘improved’ properties located within Cape Cod National Seashore.” —Ed Maroney

    Rivers Is New Chair

    Jamie Rivers will now serve as the chair of the select board after the board voted to reorganize. Aimée Eckman will serve as vice chair and the board’s new member, Art Autorino, will serve as clerk.

    BOH Approves Steele Rd. Septic

    The board of health approved Stephen and Mimi Henning’s plan to add a sunroom to their small house on Steele Road. The Hennings first appeared before the board on May 28, when the board asked for improvements to the septic system, to protect groundwater in the area.

    “Even with all the improvements in Title 5, we continue to see deterioration of our groundwater and estuaries, so we have been looking to do the best we can on these small properties,” board of health chair Joanna Buffington said at the May 28 meeting. She said the original plan looked reasonable but “there’s an opportunity to upgrade the septic system for better nitrogen control, especially with that close groundwater distance.”

    Health Agent Jane Crowley said the bottom of the leach field on the plan showed 48 inches to observed groundwater.

    So, the Hennings returned on June 25, represented by Jason Ellis, with an updated plan. Ellis said the redesign of the septic system will use the existing 1,000-gallon septic tank and add a new pump chamber. The leach field has been updated to maintain five-foot separation to the groundwater level in the area and the residence will also be hooking up to town water in an effort to eliminate the well system for the property.

    The board agreed with the changes and voted unanimously to approve the project.

    Revising the FY21 Budget

    The town’s new finance director, Rich Bienvenue, gave an update on the proposed fiscal 2021 budget to the select board on June 29.

    Bienvenue said the town is expecting a 10-percent decrease in state receipts and a 25-percent decrease in local receipts. That local receipt decline would amount to about $1 million.

    Town Administrator Jacqui Beebe said the town will be reducing hours in certain departments as well as making a reduction in DPW contract services. The town still has about $1 million in unused cash and nearly $700,000 in its stabilization fund, Bienvenue said.

    “We’re in a good position, all things considered,” he said.

    Beebe said the elimination of the council on aging day program and summer recreation program have cut costs, although, she said, “Those are clearly programs we are going to want to replace.”

    The finance committee will review and approve the FY21 budget before it comes back to the select board for a full review.

    The board will also have to draft and approve warrant articles for fall town meeting, as well as draft and approve ballot questions for the family support package and police department radios, which are articles that require an override.

    Committee Updates

    The select board voted to reappoint Tricia Ford to the cable TV licenses renewal advisory committee; Janis Nogas, William Salem, and Patricia Unish to the council on aging board of directors; Charles McVinney to the cultural council; and Ed Cassarella to the recreation commission and to the community preservation committee as the recreation commission representative.

    The board also voted to accept Judith Parmelee’s resignation from the Eastham 400 Committee. —Ryan Fitzgerald

    CURRENTS

    This Week in Provincetown

    By

    Meetings Ahead

    Meetings are held remotely. Go to provincetown-ma.gov and click on the meeting you want to watch.

    Thursday, June 25

    • Charter Compliance Commission, noon
    • Planning Board, 6 p.m.
    • Public Pier Corp. 2 p.m.

    Conversation Starters

    Covid-19 Update

    As of June 23, the town had zero cases of the coronavirus, one death, and 28 additional cases that are considered recovered.

    Furlough Potential for Town Staff

    Town Manager Robin Craver is estimating that room and meals taxes and parking revenue will be down 75 percent this summer with fewer visitors in town. If that prediction comes to pass, she is considering furloughs of town staff and cuts to many departments.

    Craver told the select board Monday that the worst-case scenario is a loss of $2.2 million in tax revenues alone.

    She recommended cutting small items throughout the government, but the police department would take a bigger hit at $208,599, with the elimination of cost-of-living increases for officers and step increases, or staff layoffs.

    Police Chief James Golden criticized Craver’s recommendation, saying this could encourage officers to take jobs elsewhere.

    The school budget cut would be deep at $400,000.

    Craver is also looking at furloughing 26 employees earning less than $50,000 for five days, and at 10-day furloughs for 62 employees earning over $50,000.

    These numbers are subject to revision based on the actual revenue that comes in this summer.

    Rick Murray Resigns From VSB

    Rick Murray resigned on June 17 from the visitor services board after nine years, saying he needs to concentrate on his businesses and personal life.

    “I need to utilize 100 percent of my brain to concentrate on my staff as opposed to being a volunteer for a board,” he said. “It’s time for someone else to advocate for the Provincetown Business Guild.”

    Murray, who owns two businesses hard hit by the coronavirus (the Mussel Beach gym and the Crown & Anchor nightclub and bar), served as the PBG liaison for the VSB. This year, he took a lot of heat for an email he wrote that circulated on social media. Murray said he sent it out to the PBG’s executive board in April and someone who apparently did not like the content posted it on social media.

    The email encouraged owners of large businesses to advocate for their needs during the pandemic. “We control the conversation and have the power in this vacuum,” Murray wrote. “If we don’t survive the town budget will collapse! Town Hall needs US.”

    The email is not why he is resigning, Murray said.

    Jay Gurewitsch, chair of the VSB, said Murray “was a forceful advocate for his organization and a tremendous source of institutional memory.”

    Murray has owned Mussel Beach since 1992 and the Crown since 2000.

    Ambassadors During Covid-19

    Provincetown is hiring 8 to 12 people at $16.28 an hour to be ambassadors to promote safety during the Covid-19 pandemic this summer.

    The program begins July 2, runs through Labor Day weekend, and is budgeted at $10,000 for the season.

    The ambassadors will welcome visitors, answer questions, and provide education to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, including explaining health and safety guidelines for social distancing and distributing masks.

    They will be located throughout town and conduct light maintenance to sanitize “designated tourist and recreational areas,” according to a press release from the town.

    Dressing in drag and other fun attire is encouraged, it stated.

    Applications: provincetown-ma.gov/6/Employment. —K.C. Myers

     

    CURRENTS

    This Week in Truro

    By

    Meetings Ahead

    Meetings are held remotely. To watch live, go to truro-ma.gov.

    Thursday, June 25

    • School Committee, 5:15 p.m.
    • Zoning Board of Appeals Cloverleaf Hearing, 5:30 p.m.

    Friday, June 26

    • Finance Committee, 4 p.m.

    Conversation Starters

    Covid-19 Update

    As of June 19, there were zero active positive cases in Truro and 10 cases considered recovered.

    Voting at the June 30 Election

    There has been a lot of confusion due to the closure of public buildings in the last few months, but it is OK to go to the polls in person on Tuesday, June 30.

    Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Truro Community Center.

    While there are no contested races, voters will have their first crack at three overrides from the limits of Proposition 2½. These must also pass at the Sept. 15 town meeting.

    Question One asks voters to appropriate funds for a new heavy-duty tractor trailer, a one-time expense of $170,000. Question Two asks to appropriate funds for a new $350,000 ambulance, also a one-time expense. In Question Three, the fire dept. is asking for a permanent budget increase of $351,904 to hire four new firefighter-paramedics to add to the existing staff of nine.

    Election Tellers Wanted

    Truro residents are needed to serve as election tellers at the June 30 town election. Shift times and lengths vary, according to the town website. You must be comfortable interacting with the public and must be able to count ballots accurately.

    If that sounds like you, call the town clerk’s office: 508-214-0926.

    The Cloverleaf Hearing Is On

    After many delays, a public hearing on the largest affordable housing project in Truro’s history will resume on Thursday, June 25, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually. Go to the Truro town website, click on the meeting title, and you will get instructions on how to watch it live.

    At the meeting, John O’Reilly of J.M. O’Reilly & Associates Inc. will present his revised plans for sewage disposal and treatment.

    The Cloverleaf plan calls for 40 units at 22 Highland Road in North Truro. That works out to 70 bedrooms on 3.9 acres of land. Truro Board of Health regulations require 10,000 square feet of land per 110 gallons per day. With that standard, 17.8 acres would be needed to support the septage flow at the Cloverleaf — a number met only if National Seashore land around the site is counted, which town officials would not agree to do. For that reason, the developer has been required to design a more sophisticated treatment system for the site.
    In December, zoning board members asked for an independent peer review of the proposed treatment system. The peer review consultant recommended adaptations be made and the design of that adapted system will be presented on Thursday. —K.C. Myers

     

     

    currents

    This Week in Wellfleet

    By

    Meetings Ahead

    Meetings are held remotely. Go to wellfleet-ma.gov and click on the meeting you are interested in for instructions on how to participate.

    Thursday, June 25

    • Natural Resources Advisory Board, 4 p.m.

    Tuesday, June 30

    • Nauset Regional High School Building Committee, 10:30 a.m.

    Wednesday, July 1

    • Herring River Executive Council, 3 p.m.
    • Conservation Commission, 4 p.m.

    Thursday, July 2

    • Housing Authority, 10 a.m.

    Conversation Starters

    Covid-19 Update

    As of June 22, Wellfleet had zero active cases, six cleared cases, and one death as a result of the coronavirus.

    New Chair, Vice Chair, and Clerk

    Mike DeVasto is Wellfleet’s new select board chair. Former Chair Janet Reinhart took over departed member Kathleen Bacon’s role as vice chair, and new member Ryan Curley will be the clerk. The three positions were set at Tuesday’s select board meeting, all passing with a 4-0 vote, with Curley abstaining.

    Town Administrator Extends Contract

    Wellfleet Town Administrator Dan Hoort offered to stay on the job until July 31. He had originally planned to retire June 30. With his successor, Maria Broadbent, possibly not able to start until Sept. 3, according to select board vice chair Janet Reinhart, Hoort decided to extend his tenure. In the interim between Hoort’s departure and Broadbent’s arrival, Hoort proposed the idea of having current Assistant Town Administrator Mike Trovato hold the position.

    July Budget Approval

    The select board unanimously approved the town’s $3,518,822 operating budget for July at Tuesday’s meeting. Because the town won’t be able to vote on a budget for fiscal 2021 until town meeting in October, the select board will vote monthly on a budget. The July budget is particularly high, according to Town Administrator Dan Hoort, because July is when the town pays for liability and workers compensation insurance.

    The Fun Begins

    Wellfleet’s recreation dept. has opened the playground, skate park, basketball and tennis courts, and baseball and soccer fields. The rec staff have also moved back into their offices at Baker’s Field, 10 at a time, observing social distancing, according to Director Becky Rosenberg. Contact sports are prohibited, and active supervision of children is required. Rosenberg recommends that people bring their own full water bottles, as the water filler station will not be in operation. —Devin Sean Martin

     

    currents

    This Week in Eastham

    By

    Meetings Ahead

    Meetings are held remotely. Go to eastham-ma.gov/calendar-by-event-type/16 and click on a particular meeting to read its agenda. That document will provide information about how to view and take part remotely.

    Monday, June 29

    • Eastham 400 Commemorative Committee, 10:30 a.m.
    • Select Board, 5:30 p.m.

    Tuesday, June 30

    • Nauset High School Building Committee, 10:30 a.m.
    • Tee Time Development Committee, 5 p.m.

    Conversation Starters

    Covid-19 Update

    As of June 22, the number of active cases in Eastham was 10. The number of cases has remained at 10 since June 4.

    The Results Are In

    It took longer than expected but town election was held on June 23 and the results are in.

    Judy Lindahl and write-in candidate Ben Niggel won the two available seats on the Eastham Elementary School Committee, receiving 956 and 102 votes respectively.

    Scott Kerry will be the town’s new moderator after running uncontested and receiving 989 votes; Cindy Nicholson will remain as town clerk after receiving 983 votes.

    Aimée Eckman will remain chair of the select board, as she received 929 votes, and Art Autorino will become the newest member of the board with 907 votes.

    Mary Shaw and Ignatious Alfano will remain on the board of library trustees after receiving 973 and 951 votes respectively.

    Town Clerk Cindy Nicholson said a total of 1,043 people voted, including 907 early voter ballots and 30 absentee ballots.

    Niggel, who is the son of Willy’s Gym owner Barbara Niggel, is a student at Harvard University and the latest example of younger members joining boards and committees.

    The last time there was a contested race for the select board was in 2017, when Eckman and Martin McDonald beat Linda Burt and Al Cestaro for the two open seats.

    But in 2018 Jamie Rivers was uncontested and Al Cestaro won a special election to fill former select board member John Knight’s seat.

    In 2019 Cestaro and Jared Collins were uncontested.

    Eckman, Cestaro, Rivers, and Collins all represent a trend uncommon among boards and committees on the Outer Cape — they are comparatively young. Lauren Barker, CEO of Cape Cod Young Professionals, joined the town’s planning board in 2019 and now serves as vice chair.

    “I think it kind of started with the water issue,” Eckman told the Independent. She referred to the town water project that was finally approved at town meeting in 2014 after seven previous attempts had failed.

    “I think they really saw that they could make a difference.”

    The town has worked to make sure meetings are held at reasonable times. The board used to meet both on Mondays at 5 p.m. and on Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. but has removed the Wednesday meetings from its calendar.

    Eastham is the only Outer Cape town with a standing search committee. Committee members keep an eye on openings, solicit potential members, review applications, interview candidates with a select board member and the chair of the relevant committee, and make a recommendation to the board.

    In the last year the select board has also worked to update all of the town committee and board charges.

    “We’ve tried to work with chairs of every board to come up with clear and short explanations of what these boards do,” Eckman said. “That’s opened the eyes of a lot of people.”

    —Ryan Fitzgerald

    CURRENTS

    This Week in Provincetown

    By

    Meetings Ahead

    Thursday, June 18

    • Board of Health, 4 p.m.
    • Zoning Board of Appeals, 6:30 p.m.

    Monday, June 22

    • Select Board, 7 p.m.

    Tuesday, June 23

    • Public Landscaping Committee, 4 p.m.

    Thursday, June 25

    • Charter Compliance Commission, 12 p.m.

    Conversation Starters

    Covid-19 Update

    As of June 16, Provincetown had zero confirmed active cases of coronavirus, one death from complications related to Covid-19, and 28 additional cases considered recovered.

    Ferry Good News

    The two Boston to Provincetown ferry services have announced their new schedules.

    Bay State Cruises will start its usual roster of trips on June 22. Boston Harbor Cruises will be starting up on June 29 with a limited schedule, Pier Manager Doug Boulanger told the Pier Corp. on June 11.

    The limited schedule is meant to keep crowds down during the phased reopening of the state due to the coronavirus, he said. But the Bay State ferry service owners hope by offering a full schedule of boats that crowds will be smaller aboard each ship, he said.

    Town’s Emergency Manager Is Leaving

    Eric Sussman, the town’s emergency manager and transportation coordinator, resigned to take a new job with the U.S. Dept. of Energy. He leaves at the end of June.

    During his 14 months in Provincetown’s town government, Sussman coordinated with the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority “to ensure vital transport and service options for Outer Cape residents — which has been essential during Covid-19, and providing crisis communications during the pandemic,” stated Leslie Sandberg, who is a media strategist recently hired by the town for the summer.

    Sussman also spent the last year managing a major technological upgrade for town parking lots with the installation of Parking Access Revenue Control System (PARCS) — an electronic system that will read automobile license plates, Sandberg stated.

    Erin Ellis, currently the town’s project administrator, will take over parking duties, crisis planning, and communications when Sussman leaves.

    Media Strategist Hired

    Town Manager Robin Craver has hired Rose, Sandberg & Associates to be the town’s media consultant from June 1 to Aug. 31.

    The contract calls for the agency to be paid $5,000 per month for 100 hours of work, which comes to a rate of $50 an hour. (This is discounted from the $100 per hour the agency normally charges and is charging the Pier Corp. for similar services.)

    It’s highly unusual for the town to hire a media consultant. But Craver said she wanted help with communications due to the high volume of public education necessary during the coronavirus pandemic. Leslie Sandberg, a partner in the firm, said she will also do some staff training in media relations.

    Pier Corp. Delays Appeals

    The Public Pier Corp. on June 11 delayed a hearing on two fishermen’s appeals of the Pier Corp.’s change to their commercial status, effectively doubling their dock fees.

    The hearing will now be June 25. The attorney for Jeff Souza and David Flattery missed the deadline to turn in all his paperwork.

    The amount of paperwork filed by attorney Bill Henchy was such that “we need a wheelbarrow to carry it out,” said Pier Corp. chair Ginny Binder. —K.C. Myers

    CURRENTS

    This Week in Truro

    By

    Meetings Ahead

    Meetings are held remotely. To watch live, go to truro-ma.gov.

    About 200 people marched through North Truro on Friday, June 12, calling for justice and an end to police violence. (Photo by Peter Thrasher)

    Friday, June 19

    • Board of Library Trustees, 11:30 a.m.

    Monday, June 22

    • Zoning Board of Appeals, 5:30 p.m.

    Tuesday, June 23

    • Select Board, 5 p.m.

    Thursday, June 25

    • Zoning Board of Appeals Cloverleaf 40B Hearing, 5:30 p.m.

    Conversation Starters

    Covid-19 Update

    As of June 15, there were zero active cases in Truro and 10 resolved cases.

    Outdoor Seating at Restaurants

    Truro Town Planner Jeff Ribeiro is developing a set of requirements under which restaurants can apply for outdoor seating and alcohol service. Along with phase two of Gov. Charlie Baker’s reopening plan, Baker signed an executive order that allows towns to amend liquor licenses and approve restaurants for outdoor service. Before, each applicant would require an on-site inspection from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. Ribeiro does not know when applications will be open, but he said he does have one interested party: the Avenue D Wine Bar, at 14C Truro Center Road.

    Transfer Station to Open

    The Truro Transfer Station will open seven days a week starting July 1. The Dept. of Public Works has developed a system to properly sanitize the facility, according to Town Manager Rae Ann Palmer. —Devin Sean Martin

    currents

    This Week in Wellfleet

    By

    Meetings Ahead

    Go to wellfleet-ma.gov and click on the meeting you are interested in for instructions on how to participate.

    Friday, June 19

    • Wellfleet COVID-19 Needs Response Task Force Community Calls, 10 a.m.

    Tuesday, June 23

    • Select Board with Emergency Management Team: Covid-19 Updates, 10 a.m.
    • Select Board, 7 p.m.

    Conversation Starters

    Covid-19 Update

    As of June 15, Wellfleet had two active cases, four cleared cases, and one death as a result of the coronavirus.

    Election Results

    In Wellfleet’s 2020 town election on June 15, five incumbent candidates were re-elected, and three new faces will appear on boards.

    Ryan Curley will join the select board; he received 232 votes. He replaces Kathleen Bacon. Andrew Freeman and Robin Robinson are the new library trustees, with 274 and 276 votes, respectively.

    The incumbents re-elected include Dan Silverman as moderator, Martha Gordon to the Wellfleet School Committee, Christopher Easley to the Nauset Regional School Committee, Nancy Vail as Cemetery Commissioner, and Gary Sorkin to the Housing Authority.

    Question One on the election ballot, which asked if the town government should work with state legislators and Gov. Charlie Baker to ensure that spent nuclear fuel at Pilgrim nuclear power station is secured in better quality casks and hardened onsite, and spent fuel and casks are protected with heightened security, received 283 yes and 21 no votes.

    Question Two, a nonbinding referendum, asks the town government to fund a universal child care voucher program up to $400,000 annually and to direct state legislators to support Wellfleet in their pursuit of universal children’s education. It received 249 yes votes and 59 no votes.

    In 2015, the voters elected to spend up to $100,000 a year to provide vouchers for Wellfleet preschoolers.

    Beach Fire Permits

    Beach Administrator Suzanne Grout Thomas is investigating ways to allow beach bonfire permits, which are currently banned to prevent spread of the coronavirus. Grout Thomas said that the required paperwork to apply for a permit, which must prove the applicant is a resident or nonresident taxpayer or staying in Wellfleet, is “too cumbersome” to process online. She said she hopes to find a solution by July 1. During Tuesday morning’s select board meeting, member Michael DeVasto said that deciding on a permitting process sooner than later is a priority, because “not allowing beach fires will probably result in unpermitted beach fires.”

    Outdoor Seating Galore

    The Fox and Crow, Mac’s Shack, the Beachcomber, VR’s, C Shore, the Wicked Oyster, Ceraldi’s, the Pearl, and Herrigan’s Cafe have all been granted an amendment to their liquor licenses from the select board that will allow them to serve alcohol in their parking lots and other areas around their properties. The restaurants will be allowed to begin serving once the fire dept. concludes an on-site visit to each property and confirms that the outdoor seating arrangement aligns with the restaurant’s application to the select board and complies with the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission’s requirements.

    No Vacationers at Lecounts

    The Lecount Hollow Beach parking lot will be open to residents and nonresident taxpayers only through Labor Day. The restriction passed unanimously at Tuesday morning’s select board meeting after member Michael DeVasto proposed the idea. “If we are really busy and we have access issues, I think with Covid-19 and the sort of stress that local residents and taxpayers are under, we owe them the access to that resource,” DeVasto said. Beach Administrator Suzanne Grout Thomas supported the idea, emphasizing the need for busy working people of Wellfleet to have a beach to enjoy without worrying about vacationers. —Devin Sean Martin

    Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article quoted Michael DeVasto incorrectly on the Lecount Hollow restriction.

     

    currents

    This Week in Eastham

    By

    Meetings Ahead

    Go to eastham-ma.gov/calendar-by-event-type/16 and click on a particular meeting to read its agenda. That document will provide information about how to view and take part remotely.

    Thursday, June 18

    • Affordable Housing Trust, 11 a.m.

    Tuesday, June 23

    • Town Election, noon to 6 p.m.

    Wednesday, June 24

    • Low-lying Roads Presentation, 6 p.m.

    Thursday, June 25

    • Board of Health, 3 p.m.

    Conversation Starters

    Election Day Almost Here

    If you haven’t already voted in the town election, you’re welcome to drop by town hall between noon and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23 and do so. Social distancing will be observed and face coverings required (for staff) and highly encouraged (for voters). Voters will be greeted outside town hall and given a complimentary voting pen and gloves and offered a mask if they’re not wearing one. Only six voters will be allowed in the polling place at one time.

    There’s not much to decide as all incumbents — Aimée Eckman (select board), Cynthia Nicholson (town clerk), Judy Lindahl (elementary school committee), and Mary Shaw and Al Alfano (library trustees) — are unopposed. Scott Kerry is running unopposed to succeed Steve Cole as moderator, and Art Autorino has no challengers for the select board seat being vacated by Martin McDonald. There’s one wild card: a write-in vote for the second elementary school committee post.

    The ballot includes an invitation to instruct town officials to ask the governor and legislature to  ensure that storage and security for spent fuel at the decommissioned Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant is improved.

    No Hiccups Expected

    As of our press time, the select board was planning to hold an unusual Wednesday meeting on June 17 to approve expansion of alcohol licenses for outdoor seating as allowed under Gov. Baker’s pandemic guidelines. Those applying included Red Barn Pizza, Local Break, BrickHouse Restaurant, Mac’s Seafood, and the Orleans-Eastham Elks Lodge.  —Ed Maroney

    And Now for Something Completely Different

    A family-friendly music and comedy show featuring parody songs and jokes by Dave Maloof can be enjoyed virtually from June 20 through 26. Maloof sings and plays the piano and ukulele in “Funny Words, Funny Music,” which will be shown multiple times on Lower Cape TV (go to lowercapetv.org or MusicPlusComedy.com/eastham-show-2020 for times).

    This production of the Eastham Public Library, the Eastham Senior Center, and Lower Cape TV is supported in part by the Eastham Cultural Council, a local agency funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. —Ryan Fitzgerald

    CURRENTS

    This Week in Provincetown

    By

    Meetings Ahead

    All meetings are held remotely. To watch a meeting, go to provincetown-ma.gov and click on the meeting you want to watch.

    Thursday, June 11

    • Planning Board, 6 p.m.

    Wednesday, June 17

    • Historic District Commission, 4 p.m.

    Conversation Starters

    Covid-19 Update

    As of June 8, Provincetown had zero confirmed active cases of coronavirus, one death and 28 additional cases considered recovered.

    Planning Board Site Plan Review

    Among the applications to be reviewed at this week’s planning board public hearing on June 11 is one from Dave Krohn seeking site plan review by special permit pursuant under the town’s inclusionary bylaw to construct five dwelling units at 66 and 72 West Vine St. The project involves building two septic systems, gravel driveways, and retaining walls, re-aligning fencing, and adding hardscape patios and other landscape improvements, resulting in the moving of more than 750 cubic yards of earth, which will alter the topography from natural grade on the properties.

    Pier Corp. to Consider Two Appeals

    The Public Pier Corp. meeting on June 11 will include its consideration of two appeals from fishermen who have been reclassified as “limited commercial” rather than full commercial, meaning higher dockage fees. See story on page A7 of this week’s edition.

    CURRENTS

    This Week in Truro

    By

    Meetings Ahead

    Meetings are held remotely. To watch live, go to truro-ma.gov.

    Thursday, June 11

    • School Committee, 5:15 p.m.

    Tuesday, June 16

    • Cemetery Commission, 10 a.m.
    • Board of Health, 4:30 p.m.

    Wednesday, June 17

    • Planning Board, 6 p.m.

    Conversation Starters

    Covid-19 Update

    As of June 9 there were zero active cases in Truro and 10 resolved cases.

    New Town Manager Salary

    The select board June 9 voted to advertise the position of town manager for the smallest town on the Cape at $160,000, which is negotiable and dependent on experience, said Bernard Lynch, of Paradigm Associates, the consultant hired by the town to help with the search for a new municipal leader.

    Town Manager Rae Ann Palmer earns $140,000 currently. She is scheduled to retire in September. The select board will begin advertising for her replacement this week, with applications due July 6.

    Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly gave the advertised salary for the town manager as $145,000.

    Annual Town Election June 30

    In yet another tricky situation created by coronavirus, the town meeting is delayed until Sept. 15, but the town election will go forward on June 30. Three questions on the election ballot are all overrides or debt exclusions from the limits of Proposition 2½. These questions must be voted on at town meeting as well as at the ballot box in order to be approved.

    Usually town meeting is a good time for voters to learn about such costly projects before deciding whether to support them.

    This year, however, the election precedes town meeting. The select board members agreed June 9 to try to publicize the questions before the election. But voters will still need to vote favorably again at town meeting on Sept. 15 in order for the spending to receive final approval.

    The first ballot question, to buy a $170,000 heavy duty tractor trailer for the Dept. of Public Works, is needed to replace three aging trucks, said Jarrod Cabral, the DPW director.

    The second is to raise $350,000 for a new ambulance to replace a 2001 ambulance. Both of these are one-time expenses that would raise the tax rate for a single year.

    The third, however, would mean a permanent increase. Voters will be asked to raise $351,904 for the addition of four full-time firefighter/paramedics. Jan Worthington, the select board chair, said these new hires would be “an insurance policy” to provide a rescue squad if Lower Cape Ambulance “goes down,” she said.

    Provincetown Fire Chief Michael Trovato has said he wants to cancel Provincetown’s relationship with the regional ambulance service created in the 1930s. This would effectively make both towns hire full-time rescue squads. Though the cord with Lower Cape Ambulance has not been severed yet, Worthington said, “I think the future is that we will be on our own.”

    “We need to be prepared,” Palmer said.

    Four new firefighter/paramedics would increase staffing on all shifts from two to three people.

    Worthington said the select board will try to talk about the ballot questions frequently leading up to the election to educate the public. —K.C. Myers

    currents

    This Week in Wellfleet

    By

    Meetings Ahead

    Go to wellfleet-ma.gov and click on the meeting you are interested in for instructions on how to participate.

    Thursday, June 11

    • Cape Cod Commission, 3 p.m.
    • Nauset Regional School Committee, 6 p.m.
    • Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m.

    Tuesday, June 16

    • Select Board Meeting with Emergency Management Team, 10 a.m.

    Wednesday, June 17

    • Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates, 4 p.m.
    • Conservation Commission, 5 p.m.

    Conversation Starters

    Covid-19 Update

    As of June 8, Wellfleet had two active cases of Covid-19, four cleared cases, and one death as a result of the coronavirus.

    Visitor Sticker Sales

    The select board voted unanimously on Tuesday to move the start date for visitor beach sticker sales up seven days, from June 20 to June 13. The three-day, one-week, two-week, and seasonal stickers will still be sold online only, and one-day passes remain banned for the rest of 2020.

    No Short-Term Rental Minimum

    Wellfleet will not adopt a minimum stay rule for short-term rentals. The select board decided Tuesday that such a restriction is not practical for the town’s economy and that a discrepancy in such restrictions from town to town would cause difficulty for visitors. “If people have to stay in Eastham instead of Wellfleet, they will stay in Eastham, and all we will do is hurt our own businesses and rental market,” board member Michael DeVasto said.

    A Listening Ear

    An independent group in Wellfleet and the police are hoping to set up a mental health phone line for residents. “We see it not as a clinical model but as a listening ear,” said Dennis Cunningham, who spoke at Tuesday’s Covid Task Force meeting to introduce his program. The phone line, which is in the process of being set up and staffed by volunteers, aims to provide a place for people to call if they are feeling anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed with isolation or any other mental health issues.

    In the meantime, residents who need someone to talk to are encouraged to contact Wellfleet Police Chief Mike Hurley at [email protected], who will pass the message to the phone line team.

    Virtual Mayo Concert

    The Wellfleet Recreation Dept.’s Mayo Beach Concerts will take place virtually during phase two of Gov. Charlie Baker’s reopening plan. The department will live stream performances from the Mayo Beach tent over Google Meet and Facebook Live.

    “This is a way to support our talented local musicians,” said Health Dept. Director Hillary Greenberg-Lemos. —Devin Sean Martin

    currents

    This Week in Eastham

    By

    Meetings Ahead

    Go to eastham-ma.gov/calendar-by-event-type/16 and click on a particular meeting to read its agenda. That document will provide information about how to view and take part remotely.

    Thursday, June 11

    • Nauset Regional School Committee, 6 p.m.

    Saturday, June 13

    • Library Board of Trustees, 9 a.m.

    Monday, June 15

    • Elementary School Committee, 5:30 p.m.

    Wednesday, June 17

    • Planning Board, 5 p.m.

    Conversation Starters

    Upgrade for Seashore Septic

    A design bid invitation is out for improvements to the septic system that services the Salt Pond Visitor Center at the Cape Cod National Seashore, the town’s director of health and environment reported.

    “This is a milestone,” Jane Crowley told the board of health last month. “We’ve been working with them and hoping for that.”

    The upgrade will provide “secondary and almost tertiary treatment,” she said, “really improving the effluent discharge before it gets into the groundwater. They hope to have the project in construction phase in the fall.”

    Meanwhile, plans to address stormwater runoff from a Route 6 outfall and an area behind the elementary school are moving forward to the 10-percent design phase, with plans for a public meeting in the next few months.

    “We’re looking at green infrastructure for both systems,” Crowley said. “We hope to implement this within the calendar year.”

    Revenue Report Is Positive

    During the pandemic, town employees “have been working the whole time,” Town Administrator Jacqui Beebe told the select board last month. “They’ve been doing inspections, handing out permits, doing everything you’d normally do, except for a couple of items.”

    The result was an “excellent” revenue report for April, said Beebe, who also thanked “everyone for paying taxes. Tax revenues are where they should be.”

    And Speaking of Revenue…

    It’s time to secure a beach sticker. Go to eastham-ma.gov/home/news/beach-sticker-information-2020 for details and forms.

    Don’t look for beach floats in the water this month. The popular platforms could be back later this summer if social distancing seems to be working.

    Taps Tribute

    The annual Memorial Day march of Eastham Elementary School fifth graders to Evergreen Cemetery couldn’t happen this year, but that didn’t stop class members Daniel Handville and Mason Smith from playing “Taps” on the Windmill Green under the direction of music teacher Chuck Hollander-Essig. Their tribute can be viewed on the town’s Facebook page. —Ed Maroney

    Kindness, Recognized

    Eastham resident and Nauset Regional High School sophomore Wyatt Falk received an award from Sharing Kindness. This local nonprofit raises suicide awareness and provides grief support especially for youth. It was founded in honor of Jeremy Walters, 16, of Orleans, who died by suicide in 2016 while a student at Nauset.

    This year, Sharing Kindness recognizes students who have been observed throughout the year performing acts of kindness, generosity, and support to others, without seeking attention for their actions, according to Lisa Goodrich of Sharing Kindness. Each student so recognized receives $500.

    Falk was nominated by his teacher, Addison Weeks, who wrote: “Wyatt has an upbeat and enthusiastic personality. His eagerness to work with any of his peers is heartwarming to witness.”

    Hundreds Have Voted Already

    Town Clerk Cindy Nicholson told the select board on June 8 that the town has sent out more than 4,000 applications and more than 850 ballots for the June 23 town election. At that point 272 ballots had been returned.

    Early voting is being encouraged so that fewer people will come to town hall on June 23 to vote in person from noon to 6 p.m. On Monday, Nicholson told the select board that there will be sneeze guards and facial shields between ballot boxes. The town will reduce staffing on Election Day and have masks and hand sanitizer available outside the building.

    When voters arrive, Nicholson said, they’ll be shown how to enter the building. She’s considering allowing a maximum of six at a time inside.

    Also Monday, the board set Sept. 21 as the date for the annual town meeting and welcomed Rich Bienvenue, the new finance director and assistant town administrator.

    They’ll Serve Again

    The select board reappointed a number of committee members on June 8, including Carolyn McPherson to the affordable housing trust; Joanna Buffington, Denise Kopasz, and Dave Hobbs to the board of assessors; Sylvia Sullivan to the board of cemetery commissioners; Adele Blong to the board of health, Beverly Hobbs and Kopasz to the cable television license renewal advisory committee; and Karen Strauss and Charles Wagner to the conservation commission.

    Also, Richard Ramon and Lucile Cashin to the council on aging board of directors; Brian LaValley to the cultural council; Thomas Gardner to the finance committee; Henry Lind and Janet Benjamins to the forest advisory committee; Kate Berg, Dilys Smith, and Felice Coral to the human services advisory committee; Frances Lewis and Buffington to the open space committee; and Robert Bruns to the zoning board of appeals. —Ryan Fitzgerald

    CURRENTS

    This Week in Provincetown

    By

    Meetings Ahead

    All meetings are held remotely. To watch a meeting, go to provincetown-ma.gov and click on the meeting you want to watch.

    Thursday, June 4

    • Public Pier Corp., 3 p.m.
    • Zoning Board of Appeals, 6:30 p.m.

    Tuesday, June 9

    • Licensing Board, 5:15 p.m.

    Conversation Starters

    Covid-19 Update

    As of June 1, 2020, Provincetown had zero confirmed active cases of coronavirus, one death from complications related to Covid-19, and 28 additional cases considered recovered.

    New Diversity Committee

    After a dramatic week of national turmoil over Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s killing of a black man, George Floyd, the select board on June 1 elected to form an Equity and Inclusion Working Group. The group, which will be appointed by Town Manager Robin Craver, will try to do outreach with the Jamaican, “Latinx” (which the select board considers the preferred term for referring in gender-neutral terms to Latina or Latino people), and other marginalized communities that live or work in Provincetown.

    Select board member Louise Venden said these communities are not easy to engage. Yet there is not a landscaping crew, construction company, restaurant, or hotel that doesn’t employ them. “These people are essential to the community and yet they are invisible,” Venden said. —K.C. Myers

    CURRENTS

    This Week in Truro

    By

    Meetings Ahead

    Meetings are held remotely. To watch live, go to truro-ma.gov.

    Thursday, June 4

    • Select Board, 9 a.m.

    Tuesday, June 9

    • Select Board, 5 p.m.

    Wednesday, Jun 10

    • Planning Board, 10:30 a.m.

    Conversation Starters

    Covid-19 Update

    As of May 29, there were zero new cases and 10 resolved cases in Truro.

    ZBA Hearings May Resume

    After two months of delays of public hearings and most other substantial business, the Truro Zoning Board of Appeals may begin to hold hearings again in the next few weeks.

    Jeff Ribeiro, the town planner, told ZBA members on May 28 that there does not appear to be a foreseeable end to the limits on social gatherings. He said he would speak with Town Manager Rae Ann Palmer and possibly town counsel to determine if ZBA hearings can be done virtually, as already happens in many other towns.

    Since March, ZBA meetings have been limited to “procedural only” and the public has been asked to hold off on submitting any new applications for zoning relief.

    Virtual meetings are “certainly not ideal,” Ribeiro said at the May 18 meeting. “There are connectivity issues in Truro.”

    The hearing on the Cloverleaf, which would be the largest affordable housing development in Truro’s history with 40 units, has been put off due to the restrictions on public meetings. But Ribeiro now has it on the schedule for June 25 at 5:30 p.m.

    There are other cases before the ZBA as well, including an application to demolish and rebuild a pre-existing nonconforming cottage at 379 Shore Road, Ribeiro said. —K.C. Myers

    © 2024 The Provincetown Independent, all rights reserved.

    terms of service