First, good news:
I want to thank all of you who emailed the various members of the Provincetown Select Board (“SB”) supporting changing the definition of Residents to include Non-Resident Property Owners for purposes of parking permits. In years past, Non-Resident Property Owners were a standalone category and paid $150 for a permit while Residents paid $55. Following a rather lengthy Traffic Hearing on various topics including this one, SB passed the proposal from the Emergency Management & Transportation Coordinator that now provides Part-Timers with parity and equal footing with Residents -- at least for summer parking. Indeed, the proposal and adoption, as expressed at the meeting, is in recognition of the taxes paid by property owners (part-time or not) and to take steps toward ending the divisiveness between Year-Rounders and Part-Timers, recognizing we are in this together. So now we all pay $55 for a parking permit that does not include parking at the MacMillan Pier Municipal Lot (“MPL”) and $150 if you do want MPL access.
PPRTA thanks the SB and the Transportation Coordinator for these efforts and for such a wonderful message. Speaking of being neighborly, for many of our Year-Rounder neighbors (often working several jobs during the summer and competing with much tourist traffic) MPL parking is of great value. Please keep that in mind when deciding what parking permit you really need for the summer.
This good news must be added to our previous good news:
As you are all aware, the people of Provincetown voted several months ago to allow Part-Time residents to sit as alternates on non-regulatory committees, such as the Finance Committee (“FinCom”). PPRTA has encouraged members to take advantage of this gesture by Provincetown voters. Again, another step, albeit a small one, toward a voice and equality with our neighbors.
And now the curious news:
A Part-Timer (who also happens to be a PPRTA Board member) applied for one of two vacant alternate positions on the FinCom. His credentials are exceptional. Just this week the Town Moderator filled both vacancies with “voters” as the Town Moderator said. These are the facts as PPRTA knows them:
Part-Timer submitted his application on September 3 and verified receipt;
His credentials include he is a lawyer; is a CPA; and has substantial business experience;
When asked about these appointments, the Town Moderator stated it is “my policy to make appointments only of those persons who did not spend the winter down south or elsewhere”;
This position is seemingly at odds with the voters’ change to the charter allowing Part-Timers to fill vacancies. It is also inconsistent with the appointment of someone who has a full-time job in Boston or “elsewhere”;
The Town Moderator also stated that the former Town Manager “is a registered voter, a lawyer and his experience as a former town manager gives him intimate knowledge of the budget process”;
This comment is seemingly at odds with the voters’ revision to the Charter as follows:
Section 4b… [A] paid Town Employee with supervisory duties may not be a member of any Town Board in any way related to his or her employment for at least one year after leaving that employment. (emphasis added)
This appointment also raises the curious question of what the new Town Manager, once hired, will do with the former sitting on the FinCom;
And all of this raises another curious question as to whether one person is thwarting the efforts of the SB and the voters to take steps toward ending divisiveness between Part-Timers and Year-Rounders, or is this a one off?
So what to do?
1—PPRTA has already requested an opinion from the Charter Compliance Commission as to whether the former Town Manager is eligible to be appointed to FinCom or any other Board for that matter;
2— Stop by to visit PPRTA Board member Laura Rood and me on Wednesday, November 27 at the Stop & Shop from 9-11am. We can provide more information and will be looking to sign up more members;
3--Apply for other committees. Let’s test the waters here;
4—For those of you living in Massachusetts but not working in Provincetown, it would appear that “residency” for the purpose of voting in Provincetown is somewhat “fluid,” as evidenced by our former Town Manager’s status. It may be worth looking into changing your voting status, if you qualify, particularly considering that the Town Moderator position, for example, will be on the 2021 ballot;
6—Get more members to join PPRTA. Remember, our goal in large part is to keep you informed.
7—And on that score, you need to let me know your thoughts, reactions, suggestions.
So there you have it – the good and the curious.
Very Happy Thanksgiving,
Pat
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About the PPRTA:
The Provincetown Part-Time Resident Taxpayers Association works for the betterment of the whole community of the Town of Provincetown by providing a forum and a voice for the interests of Provincetown part-time resident taxpayers, most of whom must make their voting residence elsewhere.
Goals
Maintain and support the unique quality of life that exists in Provincetown.
Advocate for representation on budget-related issues for part-time residents of Provincetown.
Provide a forum for part-time resident taxpayers to communicate with local, regional and state governments.
Encouraging the participation of part-time residents in all aspects of the community.
