Truro faces one of the most eventful ATMs in Truro’s history.  The future of Truro pivots this year, no doubt about it.

Truro is using electronic voting for the first time – a very big deal!   In other words, for the first time votes will be made “privately.”  This is both a blessing and a bittersweet moment for Truro.  The “hand-card” count process used for many decades gave an instant visual scan of how the votes were going.  But it also allowed Town officials to identify allies and opponents in the crowd.  This has been widely credited recently to have a chilling effect on voter turnout as warrant items became more contentious.  Now, because ONLY THE VOTER WILL KNOW, we hope turnout and retention at ATM is increased.  We will surely get a better idea of how voters view things when they are not identified as they vote.

Yet, voters face complex votes on very large expenditures on capital projects; transformative (and to many) alarming zoning changes that will alter Central and North Truro permanently through even more Overlay Districts; and challenges by citizens on multiple fronts through citizen’s petitions.  In our last newsletter, we presented a clear and accurate overview of the big projects and votes facing us at ATM. Please read that for the basics.

The main projects are proceeding apace:

• The DPW is now bid at $33M, with some portion (TBD) of that covered by the $2.3M approved in 2024 for design schematics. It does not include the $3M for PFAS remediation. The plan is to get bids before ATM and adjust the specific appropriation request accordingly in the Warrant. The Select Board, Town Manager, DPW Director and the Committee responsible enthusiastically support the project at this price point, scope and design.   The community is less enthusiastic, having rejected a $28.3M cost in 2024, and having consistently expressed views since to bring it in under $20M.  The Select Board is gambling that they can win over voters on a DPW that is almost 1/3 more expensive than other towns have accomplished in recent years at the same scale and with similar unistructural design.  It is a big gamble.
• Walsh Overlay District is also getting blowback because it had known but (so far) undisclosed impacts – mostly related to water, water infrastructure, to high and new costs, and the exceptionally high number of units that could be built using WOD’s new zoning regs – more than 1,000 units have been suggested. This has raised concern about the conflict between the Walsh 2024 vote expressing the intention to cap at 160 units in a phased development.  A growing number of community members are now calling for a moratorium on Walsh and other large development until Cloverleaf is finished and until WOD scope and conditions consistently comply with the 2024 vote on Walsh development.
• North Truro and Central Truro Overlay Districts – The Zoning Task Force (ZTF) is planning to propose warrant article(s)s to adopt two more overlay districts. Overlay districts have their own zoning regulations that supersede regular zoning regulations. Additionally, since the adoption of the Seasonal Communities designation last year, the STATE can demand priority and accelerated fulfillment of these new zoning regulations if approved.  These would initially affect existing structures on conforming and  non-conforming lots to allow high-density development along Shore Rd and in Pond Village (“HOD”) and along the Pamet Basin from Town Center in two directions – to the approach to Tom’s Hill and to the start of Depot Rd (“ROD”). The proposed regs are far reaching and high impact.
• Other Zoning Proposals  – Conversion to Multi-Family Residences By Right/  Special Permits revisions.  The Zoning Task Force also proposes  a town-wide zoning change to allow single-family residences to convert to multi-family dwellings of up to four residence, by right.  That means, no variances, permits, committee approvals are required and no appeal is open to abutters unless taken to Court. They also propose technically demanding and  very costly requirement for imposed upon the homewoner/applicant for obtaining a special permit for any reason.

We urge residents of these neighborhoods to learn about these two OVERLAYS and link to the maps here:  No. Truro/Highland -HOD   and Central Truro Residential – ROD.  We also urge you to listen to the ZTF “Listening Sessions” linked at the top of this newsletter.  You can also  find them on TRURO TVunder Ad Hoc Zoning Task Force, listed by date.  Another public session is scheduled for

These overlays, if approved, will affect these neighborhoods permanently and dramatically.  Regardless of your views of the pros and cons of new Overlay districts, it is important to be informed and involved. While we may not vote, we have the ability to educate ourselves and others and express our views at public meetings before ATM.

We have not heard much more from the ZTF about the Conversion Bylaw or the Special Permit Bylaw but urge citizens to become informed about “by right” zoning allowances.