Cape Cod Times

Petitioned article draws many Wellfleet town meeting voters to microphone. What to know.

By Denise Coffey, Cape Cod Times,

2024-05-21

Editor's note: A correction was made on May 21, 2024, to a quote by a town meeting attendee.

WELLFLEET — Wellfleet resident Farrukh Najmi made a motion to support an enduring ceasefire in Gaza at Monday's town meeting. His granddaughter was born around the time Hamas militants stormed into nearby Israeli towns on Oct. 7. He said he's been on pins and needles since then, watching the news and reading about the suffering in Gaza.

"It's really difficult to see the suffering of the children," Najmi said after the meeting.

It was that article that brought the most people to the microphones. Voters spoke about the pros and cons of the article's language, bias, intent, and usefulness. Some thought it inappropriate for a town meeting; some thought it would send a message to elected officials. One man thought it put too much of the blame on Israel when Hamas was a terrorist group intent on Israel's destruction. One man said it was one small step in the right direction for humanity.

"We’re talking about expressing our disapproval of what’s going on," said resident Harry Terkanian . "What’s going on in Gaza is inappropriate and abhorrent."

The article passed. A copy of the resolution will be sent to federal legislators and President Biden urging them to use their position to enact a sustained ceasefire . More than 100 municipalities in the U.S. have passed similar resolutions, according to resident Mia Saunders.

More: Wellfleet's 2024 annual town meeting.

A home rule petition to reduce pesticide use drew another long discussion. The bylaw is meant to reduce toxic pesticide use in and on public and private property in town. The bylaw prohibits pesticides that are not on an allowed materials list, with several exceptions. The article passed.

The operating budget of $31,356,611 passed. It's a 7.36% increase over last year's budget. An article establishing a scholarship fund was voted down, but a resolution calling for Medicare-for-all legislation was approved.

The town meeting was held at the Wellfleet Elementary School.

WARRANT ARTICLE NUMBER	WHAT IS THE ARTICLE ABOUT?	PASSED, FAILED, POSTPONED
1. FY2025 Operating Budget	The $31,356,611 budget is 7.36% higher than last year's budget. Increases in community services (11.14%) and educational services (11.54%) are biggest increases.	Passed with majority vote.
3. Capital Budget of $2,606,500	Most of the discussion centered around the HVAC system at the fire station. The town has $200,000 and needs $350,000 to replace the faulty system.	Passed with majority vote.
6. Authorize lease/purchase of ambulance	Payments will be funded through ambulance receipts through first year.	Passed. Chief Richard Pauley remarked that hybrid ambulances were not considered for this item.
8. Outer Cape Opioid Remediation Work Group	Transfer $5,125.76 from opioid settlement stabilization fund to the Outer Cape Opioid Remediation Group.	Passed with majority vote. Health Agent Heath Martinez said strict guidelines insured this money would be used for opioid remediation only.
13-25. Community Preservation	All these articles were combined into a consent agenda and passed	Passed with majority vote.
28. Gaza ceasefire	Petitioned article: Town supports enduring ceasefire in Gaza, unrestricted humanitarian aid and release of hostages.	Passed. Voters took more than 1/2 hour discussing the article's language, its implications and whether article was appropriate for town meeting.
29. Medicare for All	Petitioned article: That the Town endorse House and Senate "Medicare for All in Massachusetts" bill (H.1239 and S.744) in the 2025 session.	Passed with majority vote.
30. Pesticide reduction	Home rule petition: authorize Town to establish pesticide reduction bylaw.	Passed after more than 1/2 hour discussion. Legal and regulatory questions were raised.

Denise Coffey writes about business, tourism and issues impacting the Cape’s residents and visitors. Contact her at dcoffey@capecodonline.com .

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Petitioned article draws many Wellfleet town meeting voters to microphone. What to know.

Petitioned article draws many Wellfleet town meeting voters to microphone. What to know.

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