March is the beginning of the season in which all Truro voters can participate actively in the Town’s government. Town Meeting on April 30th approaches, and the election will be on May 13th. While these events seem far away, preparations are well under way: The Warrant for the Town Meeting closed on February 28th, and Nomination Papers are available for the election. Nomination Papers must be turned in by March 25th, so it’s time to plan to run for one of the available seats.
Town Clerk Cindy Slade has published on the Town website a list of ten offices which will be on the ballot. These include a Selectman, two School Committee Members, the Moderator, a Library Trustee, two Members of the Cemetery Commission, and three Members of the Planning Board.
Planning Board
This last – the Planning Board – is an unusual opportunity resulting from Chair Karen Snow's deciding not to run again after some twelve years, Nick Brown's having resigned after a longer term than that, and John Pendleton's resigning due to family concerns.
The Planning Board usually meets every two weeks and administers the Zoning Bylaw, the Subdivision Control Regulations, and the Sign code, under State regulations. The Planning Board also drafts corrections and improvements to these documents, usually for the voters to approve at Town Meeting. It is a seven-member Board, with no alternates permitted under state law.
The Planning Board benefits very significantly from the assistance of Charleen Greenhalgh, our Town Planner (and Assistant Town Administrator.) Her years of experience in small Cape Cod towns help her guide the Planning Board around the many pitfalls and pot-holes in small-town government.
The Planning Board is a hard-working and collegial place through which to participate in the operation of the Town, as are all the operating Boards and Committees..
Other Vacancies
In addition to the election opportunities in May, the website lists a page of vacancies on bodies to which the Selectmen appoint members. Truro operates so well because of the work of volunteers!