TNRTA NEWS

TNRTA NEWS

TRURO NON-RESIDENT

TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION

PO Box 324 Truro, MA 02666

www.TNRTA.org info@tnrta.org

Fall 2002 Vol. 6 No.2

TNRTA 2002-2003 Officers & Board of Directors

Alan Frankel, President

Anthony Garrett, Past President

Frank Korahais, Secretary

Regan McCarthy, Treasurer

Fred Schilpp, Communications

Alice Bergman, Membership

Alan Bergman Mary Frankel

Gwyn Korahais Wendy Levine

Neil Moynihan Larry Parcell

Larry Pisapio Mark Poster

Richard Smith

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Dear Neighbors,

The TNRTA Board of Directors and I are highly energized to tackle the many issues facing Truro this year. Our most critical job is the continuing fight against the proposed Stop & Shop which our membership believes is paramount. Over the past few months, several influential and independent groups have come out in opposition to Stop & Shop. The Board of the Truro Neighborhood Association, Truro's oldest resident group, voted unanimously against the project; as did the Board of the Truro Conservation Trust. The Association to Preserve Cape Cod announced its opposition.

Besides the TNRTA initiatives, we have joined with the Coalition for Responsible Growth, an organization of both seasonal and year-round citizens, who are taking a leadership role in the fight. To assist the activities of the Coalition, we have pledged monetary support to be used as required (e.g., for legal or traffic studies) and subject to the specific approval of the Board prior to funding. To help replenish our fund balance for future demands, additional contributions by the membership beyond your annual dues will be important and greatly appreciated!

An accompanying article describes the current status of the Stop & Shop proposal. The next step will be Stop & Shop's submission of the final Environmental Impact Report. It is vital that as many of you as possible attend the final public hearing. We will alert you to the date and place. After the filing, it will be even more important that you write to MEPA and the Cape Cod Commission to express your concerns about this project.

Stop & Shop is just one of many issues we expect to tackle this year. I have been meeting with the Town Administrator and Chairperson of the Board of Selectmen on three issues you have identified as of particular interest to you. These include a permanent voice at Town Meeting, more lifeguards on Town beaches and the re-opening of the trash facility on weekends in the off-season. I am pleased to report we are being supported on these issues and progress is being made

Finally, I will work with other individuals and organizations on matters of longer-range importance to our community, such as water, long-range planning and conservation. I welcome your comments and input on any matter of importance to you and ask that you feel free to contact me by e-mail, alan.lighthouse@comcast.net or by telephone at 800-874-3881.

Kind regards,

Alan N. Frankel

President

STOP & SHOP: THE WAIT CONTINUES

At present, we await Stop & Shop's filing of their final Environmental Impact Report (EIR). No specific time frame has been established for its submission, although there is speculation it may occur around mid-December. After the plan is filed, the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency (MEPA) will communicate their judgment on environmental impact issues to the Cape Cod Commission (CCC); then a final joint public hearing will take place. The CCC will then vote the proposal up or down.

Stop & Shop must address several issues that the Commission found unsatisfactory in previous EIRs. Traffic appears to be the largest. The plans involved lane addition and traffic lights that are in violation of Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD) and CCC Regional Policy Plan standards and guidelines. During the summer, MHD ran a series of traffic tests along Route 6 from Orleans to Provincetown. These tests were primarily conducted in conjunction with a proposal to add a second light in Eastham, a proposal that the CCC supported. MHD denied the proposal. If another light is not supportable in Eastham, it is difficult to understand how a light in Truro might be justified.

Other major issues are the scope and integrity of the project, the economic impact and the precedent it would set. One CCC sub-committee member has called this project the worst to come before the Commission with the exception of the infamous plan for a shopping mall at the base of the Bourne Bridge. Nonetheless, it is vital that opponents continue to speak out. Currently, letters should be sent to the CCC: Gregory M. Smith, Project Manager, Cape Cod Commission, 3225 Main Street, PO Box 226, Barnstable, MA 02630 (re: Relocated Maintenance Garage and Stop & Shop Market).

TNRTA will notify the membership after the final EIR is filed and will identify the significant issues so that you can have your voice heard on those areas of most concern to you. It will be vital for you to communicate in writing, especially since the public hearing may be held at a time when few seasonal residents will be able to attend the hearing.

Coalition for Responsible Growth UPDATE

The Coalition for Responsible Growth has redoubled its efforts to STOP Stop & Shop. After a very successful August Fundraiser, the Steering Committee was expanded to include more residents and non-residents to serve in working groups.

After meeting in September with the Cape Cod Commission, the Coalition began a study of Truro's Local Comprehensive Plan and the Barnstable County Regional Policy Plan to identify areas in which the proposed project does not meet minimum performance standards.

A sub-committee that is studying the economic impact of the proposed project will report soon. The Coalition is also working with the APCC (Association to Preserve Cape Cod) to coordinate further traffic studies and Coalition representatives attend all Truro Selectmen Meetings.

An October Coalition mailing, "The Reality About Stop & Shop," was sent to all voters in Truro; a copy appears on TNRTA's Web site: www.TNRTA.org

POND VILLAGE HISTORIC DISTRICT

The Truro Historical Commission has proposed a National Register listing for Pond Village as a way of protecting the Village from unwelcome change, diminishing its character and historic value. The area in North Truro includes approximately 75 historic buildings dating from the mid-18^th to mid-20^th centuries. Neighbors have expressed concerns that added traffic volume would result if the Stop & Shop project moves forward and would lead to the widening of Route 6A, significantly changing the historic character of the area.

The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) has determined that the Pond Village Area would be eligible for listing in the Register, but this will only happen if a clear majority of owners agrees that it would be beneficial. It does involve some limitations, but it also has some real advantages for property owners; such as protection from road widening, preservation of historic buildings, protection from demolition and substantial alterations, and overall benefit to the town.

Residents are trying to establish a Pond Village Neighborhood Association whose representatives would meet with the Cape Cod Commission to establish review procedures and criteria and organize public meetings to determine the needed support to move forward.

For more details go to TNRTA's Web site: www.TNRTA.org. To join the Pond Village Neighborhood Association, call Chuck Steinman at (508) 487-0122. Questions regarding the National Register District proposal for Pond Village may be directed to Steinman or Helen McNeil of the Truro Historical Commission, (508) 487-4202.

RYDER BEACH HOUSE

The state Department of Environmental Protection recently issued it final decision on the Ryder Beach house in Truro by requiring that the house be elevated on pilings at least two feet above the dune. Construction on the house was halted in 2001 when it was found to be in violation of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. Correction of the wetlands violation will create another problem however. The house's present height is 29.7 feet. Current town building code restricts height to 30 feet.

Town Charter Review Committee

Truro Selectmen are asking for volunteers to serve on the ad hoc charter review committee. The charter must be reviewed every five years by a seven-member committee. Membership is open to all Truro residents, voting and non-voting. If you wish to volunteer, contact Truro Town Hall, c/o Julie Dupree, PO Box 2030, Truro MA 02666, phone (508) 349-3635. Applications must be in by December 2, 2002.