January Talking Points:

Town Manager's Report // DPW Updates // Police Department // Fire Department // Budget Task Force Meetings // Truro's Top Dog Contest // Town Planner's Report // Recreation & Beach // Council on Aging // Truro Food Pantry // Climate Action Committee // Truro Public Library Events // Annual Town Report Theme & Dedication // Shellfish Constable // Seals at Sunset //Buzz Around Town //

Council on Aging Deputy Director Hired
Town Manager, Darrin Tangeman

The Town of Truro is excited to announce the Council on Aging Deputy Director position has been filled by an excellent and qualified candidate, who is expected to start on Monday, January 23, 2023. 

Unfortunately, due to the Cape’s highly competitive job market, we have experienced several vacancies in December and January with members of our team moving on to higher-level positions in other towns. Concerns about the level of service provided during this staffing shortage are apparent. Although challenging, the town is working diligently to conduct broad and intensive recruitment efforts to fill these vacancies.

Town Manager Darrin Tangeman will meet with staff and community members from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at the Truro Community Center to provide an update on the COA and receive feedback.

Environmental Projects Progressing

Department of Public Works Director, Jarrod Cabral

Final design alternatives for the Mill Pond Culvert Replacement and Salt Marsh Restoration Project have been presented and reviewed by the Select Board and are now open for discussion. This project, among other environmental projects such as Little Pamet Salt Marsh Restoration, will be open for public feedback. If you are interested in learning more about these projects, please consider attending one of the below meetings. You can find additional information including the Mill Pond Conceptual Design Report and the Alternatives Technical Assessment Report on the town’s website under the Environmental Projects page.

Board of Health at 4:30 p.m. (remote), Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Pamet Harbor Commission at 3 p.m. (in-person), Thursday, January 19, 2023
Conservation Commission at 5 p.m. (remote), Monday, February 5, 2023

Proposal for School Resource Officer

Truro Police Department Chief, Jamie Calise

At the 2023 Annual Town Meeting, Truro residents will be asked to consider the addition of one police officer, who would serve as a School Resource Officer (SRO) at the Truro Central School.

While not mandated by law, most police agencies in Massachusetts have SROs assigned to their schools. These critical positions are codified in Massachusetts law, and certification as a School Resource Officer requires specialized training and local appointment. Some areas of focused training for an SRO include child cognitive development, de-escalation techniques, and diversion strategies.

Changes to EMS Service Now Accelerated

Truro Fire Department Chief, Timothy Collins

The Town of Truro is accelerating its transition plan for absorbing emergency medical service transports currently provided by the Lower Cape Ambulance Association (LCAA).

In early January, the town received word from LCAA that it will cease operations on July 1, 2023, after 86 years as the uncertainty of emergency medical service provision on the Outer Cape made the projection of proper staffing levels difficult for LCAA and impacted the organization’s ability to commit to providing the level of service required.

While the timing of the decision to cease operations came earlier than the Town of Truro expected, the decision itself has been one that the town has prepared for in recent years.

Budget Task Force Reviews Underway

Finance Department Director, Alex Lessin

Budget Task Force meetings are an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the hundreds of different services provided to residents and visitors of Truro by our dedicated staff. This year, the Select Board has instructed department heads to stay within the proposition 2 ½ guidelines, which allows towns and cities a 2.5-percent increase in their property tax levy over the year prior.

All meetings start at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesdays. Residents can join via their computer, tablet, or by phone. Links to the meetings can be found on the agenda, or via the Select Board's page. Visit the town calendar for more information. Recordings will be available to watch on TruroTV (channel 18), and copies of the budget proposals will be available via the town's new Dropbox (links are also available on the agenda).

Click Here to view the Town Of Truro Talks Newsletter - January 2023