'No one ... to shepherd' projects. Wellfleet wants to hire a town planner at $145K. Why?

WELLFLEET — Out of 19 articles on the special town meeting warrant, one would establish a town planner position that would carry salary and benefits worth $145,000 a year.

Article two would authorize amending the source of borrowing money for a cluster wastewater treatment facility to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust to access better interest rates. The same article asks for the authorization of an additional $2.6 million for the design, permitting and construction of the facility. The town will learn in November if a grant from the MassWorks Infrastructure Program is approved, which could potentially fund the project in full or in part.

Why does Wellfleet want to hire a town planner?

Currently, planning duties fall under the domain of the assistant town administrator, but that position is "overburdened," according to Select Board Chair Barbara Carboni. Carboni is the town planner for Truro.

"Many projects and goals have been discussed and agreed upon but we can't go forward because of lack of staffing," she said. "There is no one in place to shepherd those projects through."

A planner is the project manager for the town's housing production, open space, and local comprehensive plans that are required by the state, Carboni said. They are procurement agents who hire and manage consultants on town projects.

Town staff have come and gone over the years, something far too common on the Outer Cape. That has left Wellfleet with fewer staff to take on more roles and responsibilities.

The Select Board and Wellfleet Housing Authority have recommended passage of the article. The Finance Committee will vote whether or not to recommend the article at the town meeting.

Why does it matter to voters?

Wellfleet has had several fiscal crises over the last several years, compounded by employee turnover in certain high-level professional positions. With the departure of Assistant Town Administrator Rebecca Roughley, there is no one on staff with the training and capacity to carry the Maurice's Campground project forward and committee work has been suspended, Carboni said.

Funding of the position would require a Proposition 2 ½ override.  The annual tax impact on the average home valued at $789,700 is approximately $32/year, according to the warrant.

What is a town meeting?

A town meeting is both an event and an entity, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website. As an event, it is a gathering of a town’s eligible voters, and is referred to as “the town meeting.” As an entity, it is the legislative body for towns in Massachusetts, and is referred to simply as “town meeting.” Thirteen of the 15 Cape Cod towns including Wellfleet have “open town meetings,” meaning all voters who live in that town may vote on all matters. Falmouth, though, has a “representative town meeting,” where all voters elect town meeting members who then vote on all town meeting matters. The town of Barnstable is governed by an elected town council rather than by a town meeting.

When and where is the Wellfleet town meeting?

Wellfleet's town meeting is at 6 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Wellfleet Elementary School gymnasium. The address is 100 Lawrence Road in Wellfleet.

Where can I find the warrant?

For warrant information, go to https://www.wellfleet-ma.gov/home/pages/special-town-meeting. Child care will be provided for children ages 3 and up, but sign-up is required prior to the meeting.

Denise Coffey writes about business and tourism. Contact her at dcoffey@capecodonline.com. 

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Wellfleet considers hiring a town planner. Town meeting will decide.