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Zoom recording of the June 16, 2025 Cape Cod National Seashore Federal Advisory Committee Meeting. CAPE COD NATIONAL SEASHORE ADVISORY COMMISSION THREE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH MEETINGHELD AT CAPE COD NATIONAL SEASHORE, Salt Pond Visitors Center, Eastham, Massachusetts, on Monday, June 16, 2025, commencing at 1:00pm SITTING: Rich welcomed the commission Rich called the 316th meeting to order. Agenda – adopted moved and second Minutes from April – certified adopted as presented MaryJo Avellar abstained (not present at April meeting) David Crary requested to see all attendees participating virtually both members and public. Jennifer Flynn, Superintendent presentation – spoke only (presentation posted to website) Staffing – hiring freeze 68 target 50 current Seasonal 110 target – 90 across all program areas Program Facility projects – Nauset Light Beach no potable water; flow issues; the well is offline; new well contracted; changing rooms open, porta potties provided; no water currently Marconi fully open – Friends of Cape Cod National Seashore fundraised to restore stairs June 26 public meeting Cable Road. Multimodal trail from Nauset Road to Nauset Light Beach along Cable Road. David Crary – inquired about concessioner Herring Cove. Current concessioner opted out of their contract last year (one year prior to terms) So, concession is closed for the summer. Bid is out for new 10-year contract. Also, solicited for food trucks, but we only received one ice cream vendor thus far. The opportunity was reposted. OLD BUSINESS Heather McElroy reported that the ADU subcommittee has not met. Waiting for update from Town of Truro. Susan Areson spoke on behalf of Truro. Town of Truro passed ADU by right in all districts – changing to reflect what was issued in Seasonal Communities Act is slightly smaller. Town has had no ADU applications within the Seashore. LARRY – opinion of NPS Solicitor? Detached house? JEN – reviewing prior guidance, if in-law unit doesn’t change the configuration of the house, then okay. Duplex would be considered two residences. Under shared roofline okay. As soon as it becomes two separate one-family residences not eligible for CSC. Mary Jo –what about preexisting conditions? JEN – what was present in 1959 Discussion on Affordable Homes Act and if there is any progress from legislators on changing laws. “This does not supersede Federal Law.” No other action pending (see full transcript) SUSAN – under Seasonal Communities there is some movement. Towns had to vote on accepting regulations. HEATHER – gave consensus summary SUSAN – asked Michael Fee: did you explore further with town planner; Until Truro gets an application; why write legal parameters? MICHAEL – NPS states that according to regulations ADU’s are not allowed in the Seashore District. Truro’s position, however, is that ADU’s are allowed under limited circumstances. Town of Truro has a bylaw that allows ADU’s in all districts and we do not believe it is inconsistent with Federal regulations. It is okay for the two sides to have divergent interpretations of the language. At a prior meeting I suggested that Truro might be willing to give a letter explaining its view in greater detail, but I am not on the Select Board and do not have the authority to appropriate funds for a Town Counsel’s project. No case of ADU application and when it does happen; Town of Truro will notify Seashore; CCNS will respond, and Town of Truro will respond then. Moot point right now. HEATHER –Next step is to develop model regulations that would get at the issues and provide direction to all regarding ADUs within the seashore SUSAN – 14 ADUs in Truro, and one that I’m aware of, in the Seashore. Town of Truro was taken to court and ADU was approved/granted RICH – did anyone receive legislative direction? SHEILA - Tara Smith governor’s office – she will send to Rich Two Acts competing against each other What is the Seasonal Communities act? Regulations won’t be out until end of July or August; Legislator is drafting them. Park isn’t always notified. *Action: SUPERINTENDENT reach out to State delegation on conflicting State laws w/in CCNS boundaries. Ask to be included in future meetings/discussions. Robust discussion between Susan and Sheila about ADUs within the CCNS. Difference between accessory dwellings and ADUs. 1959 is the foundation for expansion w/in the seashore. Advisory Commission is in support of the Parks - members should contact reps and express support for CCNS Rules of Order – group discussion Section III, E – Responses to public comment ‘may’ not be addressed at the meeting. *Action: Jen/Cheryl seek advice on legal requirement Edit the Rules of Order – see full transcript New Business Review Fresh Water, Wildland Fire and Zoning – members revisit and update Commission on what is happening in their towns. FRESH WATER Susan – Provincetown and Truro are looking for a new well field in Truro to meet increasing demand. Town Manager has been in touch with Superintendent. Plans to put in water tower; adjoining CCNS property? SHEILA – Barnstable County is now offering free water testing; looking for data for forever chemicals; PFAS on upper Cape have been an issue. HEATHER – Cape Cod Commission has completed freshwater strategy; posted on website; includes recommendations to improve freshwater resources and also has tools to look at data, maps and ponds. Pond buffer guide developed. SHEILA – PFAS hearing on installing carbon around sites – she will share TOM – Chatham is getting advisement and increasing water rates to cover costs; decision will be controversial; need to get back to positive balance; PFAS mitigation DAVID – Eastham Town meeting next Monday to move ahead with sewer for a particular area; East of Route of 6 and North of Salt Pond Visitors Center; this area adds more nitrogen than any other area to the Nauset Marsh system. This will be followed by a ballot vote; hugely expensive. JOANNA – we will be getting State funds; if we don’t pay now, we will pay more later. JEN – we met with Eastham on Stormwater project; active participant WILDLAND FIRE SHEILA – was looking for grant to update (Mike McGuire? Invite him to next meeting) Update fire regulations. SUSAN – People in Truro are really freaked out by wildland fire. Truro fire department is going to houses to give recommendations to be fire smart. If fire happened in the Seashore it will be devastating for Truro, Wellfleet and Eastham. SHEILA – she’s freaked out. Neighbors burning is concern. MARK – Brewster – Smokey the Bear warning very high. Did anyone from NPS participate in… JEN - Assistant Fire Manager Officer will be reporting next week. Met with John and out shared responsibility with Town of Truro. Data doesn’t support fire risk on Cape, so we don’t get money. Potential for disease in trees, drought, we are likely in the future not to have past fire behavior. How to make ourselves fire resistant. DAVID – a lot of effort going on with AmeriCorps Cape Cod and now County picked up the funding and individuals are back on with 1/3 housed w/in seashore. Efforts to continue on with core program – Barnstable Cape Corp perhaps 501 3(c) board. The program starts in Sept and ends in July. Possible Corp for Seashore, cut trees, prescribed burns, provide fire support. POTENTIAL. Can the seashore house this group? ORLEANS – no comment ZONING ADUs were covered. RICH – review was helpful to all commissioners. EMERGING ISSUES MARK – Special uses within the park JEN – asked for clarification – Jen will include concessions incidental business permits. Campgrounds? Update emergency response to the beaches; Wellfleet installed on more relays specific to sharks; SUSAN = acknowledge participation of Longnook Beach project, FAA, NPS, new path Talk about retreat, repair rebuild – Mark Borelli, Center for Coastal Studies did a great report with models site specific. How much land have we lost? JEN – we can have GIS and science team in next cycle to update that information. Resilience. MaryJo – Long point is getting longer. Select board is working on climate change and how to be resilient. What does future planning look like? Discussion on each member’s experience with erosion on the seashore, dunes collapses, bluff erosion. September – Superintendent Report Agree on next couple of meetings and what the agenda topics will be. NOVEMBER 17 or DECEMBER 1 send out poll for scheduling What will the topic be for next meetings? *action – Cheryl send poll for preferred date and topic choices SHEILA - Motion to adjourn RICH - Motion carried. These meeting minutes were certified by the Assistant Chair, Heather McElroy on August 4, 2025. |
Last updated: August 25, 2025