Eastham meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Eastham boards weigh wastewater contracts, tax exemptions; minutes pending

Over the past two weeks, Eastham's boards and committees met on a wide range of items, including wastewater infrastructure, tax exemptions, and demolition requests. However, minutes from these meetings have not yet been published, so no official votes or decisions are reported here. The most consequential item on the table was the proposed award of four contracts for the town's wastewater project.

Wastewater project

The Select Board and Capital Projects Committee met jointly on Aug. 20 to consider awarding four contracts: Collection System Contract 2 (piping, Route 6 North), Contract 4 (piping, Route 6 South), Contract 5 (pump stations), and a DPW Salt Shed. The Capital Projects Committee had also discussed bidding, SRF updates, construction schedule, and budget at its Aug. 11 meeting.

Tax and finance

The Board of Assessors met Aug. 13 to review FY27 interim year adjustments, recommendations to the Select Board, and the Barnstable County Tax/Environmental Protection Fund Tax. It also planned to review statutory exemptions for seniors, veterans, and the blind.

The Select Board met Aug. 17 for a tax classification hearing and a vote on a residential tax exemption, as well as re-authorizing the Taxpayer Assistance Fund Guidelines. The board also considered an order of taking for 10 Thoreau Drive, a statement of claim for 157 Brownell Road, and a mortgage discharge for 2 Rabbit Run.

The Finance Committee met Aug. 20 to discuss the Residential Tax Exemption, review the 5-year operating budget projection, and address the Nauset Regional School District Agreement/Assessment.

Planning and conservation

The Planning Board held public hearings on Aug. 19 for two residential site plan applications: a new dwelling at 35 Maria Road (Case PB-2026-01) and an addition at 23 Beach Plum Lane (Case PB-2026-03). The board also held a workshop on drafting bylaw amendments.

The Conservation Commission met Aug. 11 to review certificates of compliance for projects at 230 Salt Works Road and 320 Silver Spring Beach Road, an after-the-fact review for driveway work at 130 Goody Hallett Road, and public hearings for a new dwelling at 12 Nycoma Way and a swimming pool. It also considered a recommendation to accept a land donation at 0 Old Orchard Road.

Other boards

The Historical Commission held site visits on Aug. 13 and a public hearing on Aug. 20 for demolition requests at 540 Kingsbury Beach Road and 295 Shurtleff Road. Both buildings are 75+ years old.

The Affordable Housing Trust met Aug. 13 to discuss and possibly vote on its housing planning, buy down and deed restriction program, and the Housing Emergency Loan Program contract.

The Energy and Climate Action Committee met Aug. 10 to discuss potential engagement with Mass Energize and a proposed event on low-cost energy-saving measures.

The Recreation Commission met Aug. 18 to approve minutes, receive a director's report, and elect officers. The Waste Reduction & Recycling Committee met Aug. 18 to discuss transfer station signage and food waste composting. The Open Space Committee met Aug. 19 to discuss the Sandy Meadow Management Plan and trail updates. The Search Committee met Aug. 19 to review vacancies and volunteer event plans.

Coming up

• **Aug. 24** – Visitors Tourism & Promotion Services Board: review minutes, discuss summer concerts, budget, and holiday plans.
• **Aug. 24** – Nauset Public Schools Budget & Finance Subcommittee: review software transition, FY2025 audit, and FY2028 budget calendar.
• **Aug. 25** – Conservation Commission: certificates of compliance and public hearings, including an alum treatment for Herring Pond and a pier length reduction at 15 Cliff Road.
• **Aug. 26** – Board of Registrars: advance processing of early/absentee ballots for the Sept. 1 state election.
• **Aug. 27** – Board of Health: vote on fiscal agent delegation for Orleans Community Health Partnership and variance requests for four properties.
• **Aug. 27** – Nauset Regional School Committee: review operational goals, end-of-year budget, and OPEB trust.
• **Sept. 2** – Community Preservation Act Committee: public hearing on the CPA process and future project ideas.

All meetings are open to the public unless otherwise noted. For agendas and minutes, visit the town's website.

Eastham boards consider library donations, conservation projects, and zoning appointments

Eastham's boards and committees met over the past two weeks to consider a range of items, from library donations and conservation projects to zoning appointments. However, minutes from these meetings have not yet been published, so no official decisions are available yet. The following is a summary of what was on the agendas.

Library Trustees

The Board of Library Trustees met on July 28 to review two donations that require Select Board approval: a $1,000 donation from De Lissovoy & Mitchell and a $20,000 anonymous donation for the library's 10th Building Anniversary. The board also considered a motion to authorize the director to expend trust funds for designated purposes, discussed a certificate of deposit renewal for 180 days at 3.69% interest, and reviewed the FY26 closeout and FY27 town operating budget.

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission held two meetings on July 28 — an on-site meeting and a hybrid public meeting — to consider applications under the Wetlands Protection Act. Among the items were a Notice of Intent by the Town of Eastham to re-treat Herring Pond with alum to improve water quality, a Notice of Intent for a swimming pool at 275 Salt Works Road, and an administrative review for removal of four storm-damaged trees at 150 Meetinghouse Road. The commission also continued hearings for projects at 20 Bridge Road (septic system, pool, and pool house) and 30 Cedar Lane (deck, additions, septic, beach access stairs, and native planting). Additionally, the commission recommended acceptance of a land donation at 0 Old Orchard Road, Map 05, Parcel 76.

Select Board

The Select Board met on August 3 to consider appointments of Sarah Mumford and Tracie Vincent to the Zoning Task Force. The board also reviewed the library donations and a memorandum of agreement for a Day Program, and received an informational update on the Residential Tax Exemption & Taxpayer Assistant Program.

Other boards

The Board of Health met on July 30 to consider variance requests for 12 Nycoma Way (Richard Tarca) and 11 Bayberry Ln (David Silverman), and to review properties at 380 Mill Rd (Christine & Jennifer Emond) and 23 Beach Plum Ln (James & Leona Gaita).

The Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing on August 6 for a special permit application by James Gaita for an addition at 23 Beach Plum Lane, Map 13, Parcel 188, under M.G.L. c. 40A §8 and Eastham Zoning Bylaw §4.3 and §7.2. The board also considered approving minutes from its July 2 meeting.

The Housing Authority met on August 6 to introduce new board member Bill Munger, review projects at Fay Shook (septic, roof repair, and tree work), and approve 2026 HOME rent and income limits and a utility allowance schedule.

The Visitors Tourism & Promotion Services Board met on July 27 to review minutes, discuss budget items, and plan holiday décor, lighting, and banners for 2026.

Coming up

• **Historical Commission** — Site visits on August 13 at 295 Shurtleff Road and 540 Kingsbury Beach Road for demolition notices. A public hearing and possible vote on the demolition requests will be held on August 20 at the Eastham Library.
• **Waste Reduction & Recycling Committee** — Meeting on August 18 to discuss transfer station infrastructure and signage, food waste composting, a resident solid waste survey, Windmill Weekend planning, and Swap Shop updates.

Eastham boards tackle wastewater, water quality, and FY27 budget as summer meetings stack up

Eastham's boards and committees held a busy stretch of meetings in late July, covering wastewater easements, pond water quality, library donations, and early FY2027 budget work. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these sessions, confirmed outcomes and vote tallies are not available — the items below reflect what was on each agenda.

Select Board — July 20

The Select Board's agenda included a vote on a wastewater easement for the Orleans-Eastham Elks Lodge, a license agreement with Al's Backwoods Berrie Company, and a foreclosure judgment for O'Brien. The board also planned appointments: Andrew Holt, Mark Sicinski, and Steven Rogers as Planning Board alternates, and Christian Kasey to the Strategic Planning committee. FY26 Select Board goals were also listed for discussion.

Conservation Commission — July 22 and 28

The Conservation Commission met twice. On July 22, members held a remote work session on flood and coastal resilience issues with Heather McElroy and Shannon Hulst, and reviewed draft Coastal Resilience Zone regulations.

On July 28, the commission took up several residential project hearings and a water-quality item. The Town of Eastham filed a Notice of Intent to re-treat Herring Pond with alum to improve water quality. Other items included a swimming pool Notice of Intent at 275 Salt Works Road (Paul Anderson, Trustee), a continuation for a septic system, pool, and pool house at 20 Bridge Road (Richard and Nicole Petricca), and a continuation of a Certificate of Compliance for John and Jane Malloy at 25 Bay View Drive. The commission also had a recommendation to accept a land donation at 0 Old Orchard Road, Map 05, Parcel 76. A separate on-site meeting covered tree removal at 150 Meetinghouse Road and a violation at 130 Goody Hallett Drive.

Library Trustees — July 28

The Board of Library Trustees reviewed two donations totaling $21,000: a $1,000 donation from De Lissovoy & Mitchell and a $20,000 anonymous donation marking the library building's 10th anniversary. Both require Select Board approval. The agenda also included a motion to authorize the director to expend trust funds, a CD renewal for 180 days at 3.69% interest, and review of the FY26 closeout and FY27 town operating budget.

Finance Committee — July 23

The Finance Committee discussed the FY2027 operating budget, capital improvement plan, revenue projections, tax rate analysis, and departmental budget requests. No specific dollar amounts were listed on the available agenda.

Other meetings

The Waste Reduction & Recycling Committee (July 21) discussed a resident solid waste survey, food waste composting, and transfer station infrastructure. The Nauset High School Building Committee (July 22) received a monthly project update from Flansburgh Architects and discussed a backup site issue. The Visitors Tourism & Promotion Services Board (July 27) reviewed minutes and planned 2026 holiday décor, lighting, and banners. The Board of Health (July 30) considered variance requests at 12 Nycoma Way (Richard Tarca) and 11 Bayberry Ln (David Silverman), plus reviews at 380 Mill Rd and 23 Beach Plum Ln.

Coming up

• **Select Board — Monday, Aug. 3:** Appointments of Sarah Mumford and Tracie Vincent to the Zoning Task Force, approval of library donations, a Memorandum of Agreement for a Day Program, and an informational update on the Residential Tax Exemption & Taxpayer Assistant Program.
• **Zoning Board of Appeals — Thursday, Aug. 6:** Public hearing and vote on Case ZBA-2026-07-23, a special permit request by James Gaita to build an addition at 23 Beach Plum Lane (Map 13, Parcel 188).
• **Historical Commission — Thursday, Aug. 13:** In-person site visits for demolition notices at 295 Shurtleff Road and 540 Kingsbury Beach Road.