January 2025 Update: Eastham has launched a new Wastewater website describing Phase 1 of the Town's Targeted Watershed Management Plan. The Town website has details of the plan and the proposed Phase 1 map.

October Update: On October 8, the Capital Projects Committee received updates from the firms working on the design of the collection system/s and the treatment plant. Work is progressing with the goal of meeting a series of deadlines over the next 12-15 months

August/September Update: Documentation has been filed with the State of Massachusetts to access the State's Revolving Fund (SRF),a program designed to fund projects with positive environmental impact. The funds are released on an annual basis at rates between 0 and 2%. Getting funding and at what interest rate depends on a scoring system where Eastham's request is compared to other project requests submitted by other municipalities.

July 2024 Update: On July 15 Eastham received a key approval from the State Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs approving Eastham's Environmental Impact Report(EIR).

Eastham has joined with the Outer Cape Towns of Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet, Brewster and several towns in the Berkshires to formally request a representative on the Massachusetts Seasonal Advisory Council.
Read the article from the Cape Cod Times for more details.

The Eastham Board of Health has announced several key changes in the 2025 application process for short-term rentals. These include an on-line application process, updated fee schedule and the implementation of a “Legacy Clause” which restricts certain homeowners from renting more than two properties.

As reported in the Eastham Town Manager's Report dated September 9, 2024, testing for PFAS has been conducted at Eastham wells and water supplies.The good news is that there are no positive findings in the monitoring wells at any of the public water supply wells!

On November 21, 2024 the Eastham Board of Health held a workshop on Cesspools and Innovative/Alternative Septic systems. In the workshop experts explained how cesspools and I/A septic systems function. In addition, the performance results from the 265- I/A septic systems that were installed and are in operation in Eastham between years 2019-2024 were presented.

Seven different technologies were used and a comparison of 3 of the most popular systems was made along with tips for selecting an I/A system for an individual property and soil conditions.

To view the video of the workshop, log into the member section of the website.

Eastham's Climate Action Committee has reported out the results of the Climate Action Survey conducted this past spring. The survey report lays out the climate priorities and actions for both full-time and part-time residents based on the responses received from 421 respondents. The majority of respondents (64%) believe that changes need to be made in the way that Eastham residents live and the way the Town addresses climate related issues.

The Eastham Climate Action Committee hosted a Electric Vehicle Show in October, in conjunction with Orleans. The presentation from that show is a handy introduction to the world of Electric Vehicles. Access the presentation in the member portion of this website.

As reported in the Provincetown Independent:

At the Dec. 2 Eastham Select Board meeting, Assistant Town Administrator Rich Bienvenue presented a revised outline for the town’s Residential Taxpayer Assistance Fund.
Under the terms approved by the select board, the fund would provide an award of up to $500 to Eastham residents who demonstrate financial need based on an application sent to the town’s assessing department. The program will become available in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025,

On September 9, Tom McNamara, EPRTA President, presented a $2000 check to the Eastham Select Board to support the Eastham Residential Taxpayers Assistance Fund, the first donation to the Fund.

The Town of Eastham faces increasing challenges related to housing affordability and availability. With a high demand for seasonal rentals and vacation homes, the year-round housing market for local residents has become strained. In response, the town is actively working to develop innovative solutions that balance the needs of seasonal visitors with the critical housing demands of its local workforce and residents.

Eastham is currently assessing a program to enourage homeowners to lease their properties on a year-round basis. The Provincetown Independent has a detailed article on Lease to Locals

Many Eastham property owners have raised questions about the substantial increase in the 2025 Fiscal year taxes, Rich Bienvenue, Eastham's Assistant Town Manager and Director of Finance, has explained the components of the tax increase, including increased debt service associated with the previously approved water project, planning for the wastewater project and debt service for the Nauset Regional High School. These and other components of the tax rate are explained in more detail in the member section of the website.

Massachusetts has recently seen a small number of instances where thieves have impersonated homeowners, try to sell their property, and pocket the cash. This has all been done without any awareness by the legitimate owners. Instances of this type of scam are extremely rare. The type of property that is targeted, based on national statistics, is vacant land or vacant homes.

The Barnstable County Registry of Deeds offers a free consumer notification system for homeowners.