Eastham search committee reviews new vacancies, clarifies RTA seat and plans volunteer recognition

The Eastham Search Committee met to accept minutes, review recent resignations and vacancy data, and plan outreach to recruit volunteers for town committees. Committee members noted a pair of openings created when Hope Plebin was elected to the select board and resigned from her roles on the Board of Health and the Strategic Planning group; an additional resignation from a zoning-related task force was also reported, with the transcript spelling of that person’s name unclear.

The committee said the planning board had two strong candidates for an alternate slot. Dan Coppelman, the planning board chair, and Bob Bruns took part in interviews and the planning board agreed to add an additional alternate position so both candidates could be appointed. Members agreed to confirm formal appointment records after the select board posts its meeting video and minutes.

Committee members reviewed vacancy-rate graphics during the meeting. The report presented an overall vacancy rate of about 11 percent (the committee’s stated target is fewer than 20 percent), regular positions at roughly 6.7 percent (goal 15 percent), and alternates at about 40 percent (goal 50 percent). Members noted short-term listings and newly filled seats will change those percentages in next month’s report.

On an intergovernmental matter, members discussed a notice about the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (RTA) representative. Committee research indicated that RTA seats are held by town managers or their designees; the committee concluded that Rich, the town manager, is the default representative unless he chooses to name a designee and that the select board need not act unless they are asked by the manager.

The committee also finalized plans for a volunteer recognition event scheduled for Sept. 11: a brief fire-and-police commemoration at 9:50 a.m., followed by a program at the library with light refreshments and custom volunteer T-shirts. Organizers estimated 100–200 volunteers and discussed staying within a modest budget (the $2,000 figure for refreshments was referenced during planning). Members discussed additional outreach channels — a Chamber of Commerce annual meeting, part-time resident associations and grassroots recruitment at local events — to publicize committee openings.

Administrative items concluded the meeting: the committee moved and approved the May minutes on a voice vote with no opposition recorded on the public record, confirmed there will be no meeting in July and that the group will reconvene in August to continue planning, including preparations for a community "windmill weekend" event. A motion to adjourn carried by unanimous consent.

The meeting record includes numerous committee follow-ups: members will check the select board video to confirm appointment language, reach out to prospective candidates whose names were discussed off-camera, and coordinate with town staff to publish vacancy postings and social-media outreach prior to July.