Ladies and Gentlemen:
Let’s start with an update on the FinCom story.  We all have been busy on this one. As you recall, the part-timer application for the FinCom alternate vacancy, who was identified as having “excellent credentials” and who was the only application pending for months, was not even interviewed. The majority of FinCom decided to not fill the vacancy but instead (ignore the Charter and the voters who revised the charter) and to try to change the Charter to eliminate part-timers from ever sitting on FinCom.

Many of you submitted comments to the various media outlets explaining the inequities of these events.  Thank you.

On Monday, February 24, your PPRTA Board made a public comment at the Select Board meeting.  (You can view the comment on PTV, first comment). We explained this entire story (in 3 minutes, max time for a public comment) and invited SB members to explain, after the meeting, how these events were fair and in the best interest of the entire community – not a couple of folks looking to get elected or re-elected– but the whole community.   First, an enormous shout out to SB member Louise Venden, who in her opening comments, recognized the many contributions by part-time residents to this community; that we all have something to give “whether you vote here or not”; and we do not need divisiveness in our community. (You can view her comments on PTV, opening remarks, first one statement).

Second, and again with great thanks and appreciation, three SB members did speak with me after the meeting and expressed empathy with respect to this matter; they wanted to help but felt constrained because they believed that the SB is not the appointing authority for FinCom.  PPRTA has a pending inquiry with Charter Compliance Commission to clarify this.

What to do?
1—March 9, 2020 @6pm: Select Board Meeting: The Select Board will meet to review and make recommendations on all articles including FinCom’s request to change the Charter.  Please do the best you can to attend and make a public comment. If you cannot attend, then TODAY please email the Select Board members (email to selectmen@provincetown-ma.gov) to encourage a “no support” vote for FinCom’s desire to just ignore the existing charter as “besides the point” and to revise what the voters have already done. The Select Board must hear from writers TODAY to be counted.

Some proposed language you might consider is:
The Select Board has heard all the facts as to why the treatment of a part-timer’s application to FinCom was so terribly unfair. The efforts by one elected official and one non elected official to ignore the Charter and the will of the people must be stopped. Please vote against the FinCom article to change the Charter and completely eliminate part-timers from having a voice on FinCom.

Please email the Select Board members (email to selectmen@provincetown-ma.gov) TODAY.

 2—April 6, 2020 @6pm: Town Meeting: The voters will vote on these proposed revisions. We must get the word out to our voter friends and neighbors and explain what has happened here; that this community is known for fairness – these actions by one elected official and a non-elected official are the exact opposite of what this Town stands for.
3—The pen is mightier than the sword – letters to the editors of the various media outlets (The Banner, The Provincetown Indenedent, Cape Cod Times).

Be sure that when speaking to your neighbors or are writing to editors, you are clear on the facts. Here is a recap:

1--Provincetown voters voted to allow part-time residents to sit as alternates on non-regulatory committees in order to accomplish two things: Fill vacancies on various committees and provide a voice for part-timers.

2--September 2019, the Charter Compliance Commission was asked, in light of the voters’ vote and just to be sure, can a part-timer sit as an alternate on the FinCom? Answer: Yes.

3--A part-timer then applied for one of two FinCom alternate vacancies that had been vacant for some time. The Town Moderator, the appointing authority, said that although the part-timer applicant has “excellent credentials” she would neither interview nor appoint him… just ‘cause.  Instead she found two other individuals. The Moderator was promptly found to have violated the Charter by appointing David Panagore, one of the two appointed alternates. Mr. Panagore resigned and the vacancy was again vacant.

4—The Part-timer’s application was the only pending application when Mr. Panagore resigned and was the only pending application for almost 4 months. Indeed, the alternate vacancy remains vacant to this day.

5—February 10, FinCom met and one member, Dorie Seavey (and we thank her for just following the rules), made a motion re the vacancy. She said FinCom’s alternate vacancy has been vacant for months; a part-timer, who the Moderator described as having “excellent credentials,” is the only application pending; the voters revised the Charter to allow part-timers to sit as alternates; the voters want vacancies filled; the part-timer has 12 emails (from voters and non-voters) in support of his appointment; how about it?  She did not even get a second.

6--Instead, the FinCom majority voted to change the Charter because they decided FinCom is a “zebra with the horses”—the horses, presumably, being the other lowly non-regulatory committees. FinCom Chair, Mr. Hatch, declared that “the Charter is besides the point.” He might as well have stated, ‘the Law is besides the point’; ‘the will of the voters is besides the point’; he knows better than the voters.

7—Optics:  It would appear that the seasoned Moderator, an elected official, and the seasoned FinCom Chair, a non-elected official, have done everything they could to avoid appointing a part-timer-- from violating the Charter with an ineligible appointment to now seeking to just revise what the voters’ already revised. The vacancy remains vacant for months now—the opposite result of what the voters’ voted to do.

8--Note:  The FinCom Chair is not seeking a clarification from the Charter Compliance Commission. Nope. He just does not like what the Charter says so will ignore it (as “besides the point”) until he can change it.  Another note: FinCom’s Code of Conduct requires members to (1) “follow the laws established by... the Town Charter” and   (2) to “represent the entire community at all times” (emphasis added).
Please do what you can to point out the absolute unfairness of what has transpired and to stop what FinCom is proposing to do.

Other Committee vacancies: For those interested, here are other vacancies available. Committees include Airport Commission, Animal welfare, Building Committee, Cemetery Commission, Community Housing Council, disability Commission, Finance Committee, Harbor Committee, Planning Board, Provincetown Public Pier Corp, Recycling and Renewable energy Committee, Water and Sewer Board, Zoning Board of Appeals

On last thing: 
So, you are reading our newsletter and maybe our Facebook posts too. You know fellow part-timers are engaged and want to serve on town committees. While there has been some opposition, PPRTA is pushing back on the nay-sayers.

Despite some challenges, let's recognize our progress: Parking fees are finally at parity, part-timers serving on committees is included in the Town Charter, we're giving you important town financial information so you can see the facts for yourself.  And we have more good stuff in the works. 

If you're a member, then it's time to renew. If you’re not a member, then really, it's time to join! Keep us viable - renew or join now.  Please pass this message along to your Ptown neighbors and urge them to join.  We have strength in numbers. Once again, thank you for all your support as we continue to keep you informed.

Pat