TNRTA

Truro was designated a Green Community on July 19 by the Commonwealth, a distinction shared by 21 communities this year. Truro was the only Cape town to be recognized this year, and only the second Cape town to receive this distinction so far. The designation makes Truro eligible immediately for $142,000 in designated funding and the Town receives other bennies including a Big Belly Solar Trash Compactor for Town Use and road signs designating Truro as a Green Community. The Town must also meet specific requirements to establish a baseline for Town government’s use of energy soon and to reduce energy consuption by 20% in five years. Congratulations to the Energy Committee for its hard and frutiful work!

TNRTA has completed the first draft of its Truro BizList. We ask for your help in expanding, refining and correcting this list. The electronic version is driven by web links, meant to connect to each business’s websites. We have many Truro Biz website links to obtain! A printable version that provides a more traditional format (with name, contact info, brief description, etc.) will be available by mid-summer as a PDF on our website and then for printing and distribution in Town. We are taking this a step at a time, to get accurate information, expand the list, and make sure it will work for a variety of users. Help us make this an effective tool for Truro businesses and residents to use and rely upon. We will update regularly, with your help. Thanks!

COASTAL CONSERVATION -  WHAT’S BEST? -  August 16, 2011
TNRTA Members  are invited to hear and chat as experts discuss the science, the options, and the regulations affecting our choices
August 16  7:30 PM
More info to follow -  watch this space!

The parties involved in the dispute over the Kline property on Stephens Way are well on their way to concluding a settlement, according to local reporters and the State Appeals Court docket.  The lawsuit alleges  that the Kline property received an illegal permit for construction, and the abutters also sued the Town of Truro on the same grounds.  The settlement between the Klines and their two abutters seems to revolve around more set-aside of land for conservation.  But that cannot overcome the Court’s ruling that the Town Building Commissioner improperly permitted the construction nor the Court’s  order that the Truro ZBA convene to overturn the building permit. This could still result in a tear-down of the property. The legal maneuvers continue to forestall that outcome.  But as this is a separate legal action from the case reaching settlement, the Town intends to act on the Court’s orders in it case.  No date has been set for this ZBA meeting.  For more info, see this link:
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110627/NEWS11/110629781

FEMA rescinded the Letter of Final Determination for Barnstable County for the maps that were scheduled to become effective June 16, 2011 due to technical problems with their maps that must be corrected. FEMA expects to reissue in December 2011, with an effective date in June 2012. Therefore, the Planning Board proposed to indefinitely postponed Articles 18 & 19 that were before the voters at All Town Meeting. Voters approved.

This year the Seashore celebrates its big five -0. An important contributor to this great celebration is the Friends of the CCNS (FCCNS), who provide much of the fun and program support for CCNS through volunteers and financial contributions, not only now, but every year, all year long. This year, their website will serve as an invaluable source of information on the myriad and ongoing events of the 50th Anniversary celebration. Take a look at www.fccns/org, enjoy the offerings, and if inclined, join the FCCNS in the future!

Become a Friend of the Cape Cod National Seashore
Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore (FCCNS) is a volunteer, non-profit organization formed in 1987 to support and promote the educational, environmental, historical and other goals of Cape Cod National Seashore. Its members are dedicated individuals who share a special love and respect for this very special national park.

FCCNS contributes in myriad ways as a partner with the Seashore. We provide free programs for park visitors from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, such as the lively concerts at Salt Pond and Province Lands Visitor Centers and fun family sing-along campfires at Seashore beaches. We also sponsor and host the Tuesday Evening Speaker Programs at Salt Pond in July and August and other interpretive programs. All through the year a hardy group of volunteers lends a hand with trail maintenance and other work projects, keeping walking trails clear and cutting and burning overgrown brush from Provincetown to Eastham. Last summer, if you walked the beach at High Head in Truro, you may have seen hundreds of seals hauled out on a new sand bar with Friends volunteers nearby, passing on information about the seals and their habits to many a fascinated visitor.

In this 50th anniversary year of the National Seashore, Friends is proud of its vital funding efforts for the Seashore. In addition to managing several special funds that contribute to important educational, archival, and research projects at the Seashore, Friends has undertaken a major fundraising campaign for the interior restoration of Old Harbor Life-Saving Station at Race Point, Provincetown. Old Harbor will re-open in May, furnished – thanks to FCCNS and its many donors – much as it was a century ago, giving the beautiful old building an aura and authenticity of times past. To date, Friends has pledges of $113,000 toward a goal of $180,000.
Another newly adopted project is in Truro. Joining a consortium of Cape Cod National Seashore and several Truro agencies to address recent storm damage at Ballston Beach, Friends is coordinating contributions to the project and will assist with the planting of beach grass to help prevent additional erosion.

We invite members of your association to become a member of Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore. We welcome members from Truro who want to learn more about the Seashore and all the special activities planned for this anniversary year and participate in our varied volunteer programs. Perhaps the greatest benefit you receive from a Friends membership, however, is the knowledge and satisfaction of making a real difference in assuring the present and future status of the beautiful natural treasure of Cape Cod National Seashore. PLEASE JOIN US!

For more information about FCCNS or to become a member, please e-mail us at info@fccns.org or visit our web site at www.fccns.org.

A recent analysis by Mark Adams, maps expert for the CCNS, suggest erosion will continue at a fast pace on the Outer Cape – faster south of Wellfleet – but even in Truro we should expect more in the coming years. See Cape Cod Times for more.