September is gone, and activities are in full swing in Truro. Town Committees are meeting again, as are committees at the Barnstable County level and the State level.
Solid Waste Disposal Costs
The Town Administrator attended a SEAMASS meeting in Hyannis among representatives from all of Cape Cod. SEAMASS, now known as "Covanta," will have solid waste disposal contracts expire in 2015 for all Cape towns. Together, all Cape towns can exert more leverage than if each were to stand alone. What is most disturbing: our current tipping fee of $32 per ton will soar to an anticipated $70 per ton. Truro transfers 1,700 tons of solid waste per year. This increased fee could be a serious budget buster.
Please know that towns are led by the Cape Cod Commission. Recently we bid for and hired an attorney to guide us through the Request-for-Proposals period and to contract successfully with the chosen solid waste company. Removal and disposal of our solid waste is something we take for granted, but its cost is growing ever more expensive.
Information Technology Director Interviews
The Town of Truro is currently interviewing candidates for Information Technology Director. I am very pleased with the excellent qualifications of those who applied. Much thanks for the technological talents of Brian Boyle and Rachael Sokolowski as they are lending their talents to the interview team. Assistant Town Administrator, Charleen Greenhalgh and Town Accountant Trudi Brazil are also team members.
Insurance Advisory Board Formed
The Town is forming an Insurance Advisory Board, consisting of a representative of each union, a retiree, and an employee who is not in a union, but covered by the Personnel By-Laws. Together they will study and comment on a proposed article for Town Meeting that requires retired employees to have Medicare serve as their primary medical provider. The Medicare program is supplemented by a package offered by the Town to cover prescriptions and other provisions not covered by Medicare. The insurance package offered to retirees must provide benefits equal to the health insurance package the retiree is leaving behind. The Selectman are looking for a retiree to serve. Please contact Selectmen Chair Curtis Hartman, Treasurer Cindy Slade, or me, Pam Nolan, if you want to serve on this new committee.
Emergency Preparedness Group Formed
Truro was ready for Hurricane Earl. Earl was a "shot across the bow" and to be ready for it, I formed an Emergency Preparedness Group that will meet when needed. The people who must be coordinated to leap into action attended. They are: Board of Selectmen Chairman Curtis Hartman; Harbormaster, Joe Francis; DPW Director, Paul Morris; Acting Police Chief, John Lundborn; Fire Chief, Brian Davis; Health Agent Pat Pajoran; and Chairman of the Board of Health, Diane Eib, This group will meet when a disaster is approaching Truro, in one form or another. It is great to have the left hand know what the right hand is doing.
I want to thank all the citizens of Truro who sent me messages of support while I was ill. Believe me, I could feel the support! I am thankful to be back to work.
I will attempt to supply readers with the information concerning activites at Town Hall, from the perspective of the TruroTown Administrator in months to come. Truro is extremely busy this time of year. Upcoming we have 2012 budget creation and Annual Town Meeting to prepare.
Sincerely,
Pam Nolan
Town Administrator
townadm@truro-ma.gov
(508) 349-7004, ext 10