Provincetown News for April 2009

This month we cover the annual town meeting, parking permits, Route Six lane reduction project, summer entertainment line up and more.

The Latest Scoop

The boats are coming back to the bay, stores are starting to open and weekend tourists are stretching their winter legs on Commercial Street. Nothing screams “the season has begun!” like the opening of Cafe Heaven, Spiritus Pizza and The Red Inn.

Provincetown business owners report that there is no shortage of employees looking for work this summer. Restaurants, guesthouses and retail shops have fully staffed all positions. They are not experiencing the shortage of workers encountered last year due to the issues with the H2B visa program. The jobs are being filled by a mixture of international students and Americans laid off looking for work. In some cases, family members are working to help support businesses in order to cut costs.

The economy is a big concern for local businesses this summer as the recession continues. Due to the largest national unemployment rate in 26 years, there is anxiety on Commercial Street about who will be coming here to spend money. Three separate guesthouse owners told me that previous customers are calling and looking for work. The customers who were previously six figure salaried professionals are offering their services to clean rooms, wait tables or work reservations.

Townsend Lobster and Seafood has purchased the building formerly occupied by Clem and Ursie’s restaurant on Shank Painter Road in Provincetown. Mac’s Seafood of Wellfeet will be part owner of the property; however the business will operate exclusively as Townsend Lobster. There are no details on the selling price of the property other than that it was sold for significantly less than the $2.5 million listed price. Townsend Lobster which is located on Fisherman’s Wharf will be open for business on June 15th.

Items recovered from an April 2007 jewelry store robbery was returned to the store’s owner. Thirty one pairs of earrings, eight necklaces, fifty seven rings and two gold pendants are back in the store’s inventory. The three thieves were apprehended by police soon after the crime and are still in jail.

The AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod is a co-sponsor in a health forum being held at The Provincetown Theatre on May 8th at 2PM. The guest speaker will be John Auerbach the Commissioner of Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Issues to be discussed include program changes for health organizations and funding. The event is free and open to the public. 

Next week, I’ll check in with The Vixen, Post Office, Art House and Crown and Anchor to see what’s on the menu for entertainment this year.

Thanks for reading and check back next week. This blog is updated every Friday. If you have questions send me an email mike.dubour@verizon.net.

Town Meeting Results

The Provincetown annual town meeting took place Monday, April 6th at the Veterans Elementary School. There were over 40 articles on the agenda and the meeting adjourned Monday to be continued and finished Tuesday evening. 301 voters turned out for Tuesday’s meeting.

Residents approved some articles in the meeting that will essentially raise their taxes. These were limited to basically preserving jobs, purchasing needed equipment and repairs to roads and sidewalks.

All articles that passed were:

• Fiscal year 2010 budget
  
• A proposition 2 ½ override to continue funding the Recreation Department.
• The purchase of:
  - Street sweeper
  - Fire Department ladder truck
• Road and sidewalk maintenance
• Drain maintenance
• Greenhead fly control
• $180,000 of Land Bank funds will be used to purchase 2.29 acres on Browne Street for a community garden.
• Phase 3 sewer expansion
• Create regional school committee
• Floodplain bylaw
• Changes to the bylaws in growth management
• Community Preservation Acts
  - $2 million to fund the second phase of the town hall renovation.
  - Allocate $100,000 towards the $250,000 purchase of a small parcel of land as a park.
  - $150,000 to renovate a 15 unit affordable rental project at 83 Shank Painter Road
  - $800,000 to build 32 units of community housing at 35 Race Point Road

Voters rejected the following articles:

• Automated parking meter purchase (this would adversely impact meter maid positions)
• Marijuana policy (increase the fine from $100 to $300 if found in possession)
• Eliminate term limits

The following items were postponed:

• Change in medical benefits for retired town employees
• 1% real estate transfer tax when selling your property.
• Mooring fees for Provincetown Public Pier Corp.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend. I wish a Happy Easter to those who celebrate the holiday. Email me with any question mike.dubour@verizon.net.

Annual Town Meeting and Parking Stickers

Get your town stickers if you live here or if you own property as a second homeowner. The parking meters have become active for the season. Effective April 1st, you must pay to park at the meters if you do not have a permit. Stickers cost $50 for residents, $90 for non-resident property owners and $250 for non resident stickers. Permits are free to seniors 59 years and older. You will now be ticketed if you do not have a sticker. 2008 stickers will be valid until April 15th.

To get a permit, you must go to the police station Monday-Friday 8AM-3PM. The office is closed for lunch 12:30-1PM. You must present a valid driver’s license and vehicle registration. All outstanding parking tickets must be paid in order for you to get a sticker.

If you are not in town and need your permit mailed, send a check, copy of your license and registration to:

Provincetown Parking Department
26 Shank Painter Road 
Provincetown, MA 02657

Make checks payable to “The Town of Provincetown.”

Finally, town meeting is fast approaching. This Monday, April 6th at 6 PM, voters will have lots to decide. The meeting will be held at The Veterans Elementary School. To see a complete list of agenda items click here.

Come back next week, thanks for reading and play it safe. Email me questions at mike.dubour@verizon.net.