Remembering Rex
It was with heavy hearts when the Board of Selectmen met on February 25th to tackle a full agenda while still grieving the death of our Town Administrator Rex Peterson.
Rex served as our Town Administrator since October 2011. He worked in municipal government on the Outer Cape for two decades. I first met Rex in 1998 when, as a new resident of Provincetown, I was appointed to the Planning Board. Rex was the Permit Coordinator and addressed the Planning Board with the same friendliness and professionalism he brought to Truro. As a resident of the Outer Cape, Rex cared deeply about Truro, Wellfleet, Provincetown, and Eastham; and he served each town with distinction in a variety of roles over the years. We will long remember and applaud Rex’s many contributions to the towns of the Outer Cape.
While Rex’s tenure in Truro was all too brief, his accomplishments were considerable. He supported a great team of professionals in Town Hall who are deeply saddened by his passing. Under Rex’s leadership, much needed efficiencies were introduced in the Assessor’s Office so that in the past year property tax bills have been sent out on time. Rex was always looking for ways to make the delivery of Town services more efficient and never shied away from suggesting new ways of doing things.
Rex’s sudden passing is all the more poignant as Rex announced, just a few months ago, his intention to retire in June of this year. Our deepest sympathy goes to Rex’s partner Tom and to the rest of his family.
The Board of Selectmen has already initiated a search for a new Town Administrator. We are in the process of hiring a consultant to assist us with the process. In the coming weeks we will appoint a Search Committee made up of residents to help identify the traits we are looking for in a new Town Administrator. Applications to serve are available at Town Hall.
In the interim, the Board of Selectmen has appointed our Assistant Town Administrator and Town Planner Charleen Greenhalgh to serve as Acting Town Administrator. Charleen and Rex were good friends and colleagues, and I know Rex’s death has been particularly difficult for her. Charleen has served as Acting Town Administrator in the past, and I know she has the full support of the entire Board of Selectmen during this difficult transition.
Spring Elections
March 25th is the deadline to submit completed nomination papers signed by a minimum of twenty registered Truro voters to the Town Clerk for the Town’s annual Municipal Elections, scheduled for Tuesday, May 13th. A number of open seats including seats on the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Cemetery Commission and the Planning Board are up this year. A complete list is available on the Town’s website: http://www.truro-ma.gov/sites/truroma/files/2014_annual_town_election_ballot_revised_2.18.14.pdf. Nomination papers are available at the Town Clerk’s office.
Selectman Breon Dunigan decided not to seek re-election this year, leaving an open seat on the Board of Selectmen. Three seats are open on the Planning Board with Karen Snow's and John Pendleton's deciding not to seek re-election and with Nick Brown's having stepped down late last year.
Truro’s elected boards are a vital part of our Town Government, and I think that it is good if voters have a choice of more than one candidate. If you are considering running, I urge you to contact an incumbent office holder to learn more about running and serving.
Jay Coburn
Chair, Board of Selectmen
jcoburn@truro-ma.gov
(508) 349-7004