Eastham voters to weigh water fund, support package for families

Sep. 8--EASTHAM -- Residents face 36 articles at this year's annual town meeting, including those calling for increased support for families, upgrades to dispatch equipment and the creation of a water enterprise fund.

The meeting is set for 10 a.m.Sept. 26 on the Nauset Regional High School football field, with a rain date for the outdoor meeting of 1 p.m.Sept. 27.

Voters will be asked to establish a water enterprise fund for the operation and future needs of the new municipal water system. This new fund is expected to be subsidized by the general fund for two years until it can cover its expenses and start building reserves.

A capital outlay of $400,000 for upgrades to police radio and dispatch equipment would be funded contingent on a Prop. 2 1/2 override on the October special election ballot. The upgrades are necessary with the state's conversion this year to a new 911 system format.

A proposed Family Support Package would provide funding for education, housing and human service needs of Eastham residents. The package calls for an additional $490,500 and also is contingent on the passage of a Prop. 2 1/2 override vote.

The package would pay for preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, school lunches and nutrition assistance for all resident Eastham children enrolled in Nauset regional schools, summer lunch programs, an elementary after-school program, and additional funding for the Affordable Housing Trust.

The Family Support Package could provide thousands of dollars in benefits to needy Eastham families, according to Select Board Vice Chairwoman Aimee Eckmann.

Other articles include a financial hardship deferral that would allow qualified taxpayers to enter into a tax deferral agreement with the town; the establishment of an elderly/disabled tax relief fund with voluntary donations; six amendments to zoning bylaws; a climate policy petition; and a nonbinding advisory petition seeking heightened security and better storage of spent fuel at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant.

A remote-only meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday to discuss the articles.

Follow Denise Coffey on Twitter: @DeniseCoffeyCCT.

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