Daily Current, Sunday, October 18

Daily Current · Sunday, October 18 · 4:13

State rep candidates debate taxes and energy, plus the week ahead

Read by Kerry Jane. How we work Download

Transcript

Good morning. It is Sunday, October 18. This is the Daily Current, free public information for Cape Ann from the Cape Ann Current. I am Kerry Jane. Today we look at where the state representative candidates stand, and what boards meet this week.

The state now calls Cape Ann's drought significant, and Rockport has banned outdoor watering. For this week's Crosscurrents, we are asking, what have you changed at home to save water this fall? You can weigh in at cape ann current dot com slash crosscurrents.

Here is the week ahead in public meetings. On Monday, the Essex Board of Selectmen meets at 6 p.m., and the Rockport Finance Committee meets at 5 p.m. On Tuesday, the Rockport Select Board and the Manchester Essex School Committee meet at 6 p.m., and several other boards meet. On Wednesday, October 21, the Essex Planning Board and the Rockport School Committee meet at 7 p.m. In Gloucester, the Conservation Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. On Thursday, October 22, the Essex Board of Health meets at 7 p.m.

In regional voting, the three candidates for state representative answered questions at a Gloucester High School forum on Tuesday, October 13. Republican Christina Delisio of Manchester by the Sea said she would use the proposed state audit to find waste. She opposes offshore wind and supports requiring girls sports to be only for biological females. Gil Frieden of Essex prefers helping families with food and heating aid over tax cuts. He supports state climate goals and opposes the sports restriction. Democrat Dru Tarr of Gloucester pointed to the 2023 tax cuts. He supports climate goals but wants program fees moved off energy bills, and said he supports trans kids.

In Gloucester, the City Council voted 8 to 0 on Tuesday, October 13, to approve six new homes on Day Court. The developer plans two buildings with three homes each on the narrow private road off Essex Avenue. Neighbors wrote letters about traffic and stormwater. The plan widens the road to 12 feet at Essex Avenue and to more than 16 feet further in. A 2 foot wide trench filled with crushed stone will soak up rain. The council required the owners to maintain the drainage system forever.

In Rockport, the Affordable Housing Trust now holds more than 1 million dollars. At its meeting on Wednesday, October 14, members said the money comes from the town and a closing housing group. Members also discussed new state rules that allow towns to set an income limit for tiny houses. Trust Chair Diane Vella said she wants the tiny houses to count toward the state's affordable housing goal, which requires lower income caps.

In Gloucester, the Council on Aging heard on Wednesday, October 7, that all 403 Medicare counseling appointments for open enrollment are booked. Callers are being sent to a regional office. The transit authority administrator also said buses will stay free through 2027, and new wheelchair friendly bus shelters are coming.

There are a few events happening early this week. The city of Gloucester hosts a free Halloween Party at Stage Fort Park today from noon to 3 p.m. Rockport Music presents Cheyenne Jackson today at 5 p.m. On Tuesday, Cape Ann Lanes in Gloucester hosts free Music Video Bingo at 7:30 p.m.

In high school sports, Gloucester competitive cheer competes at Wilmington High School today at 11:45 a.m. On Monday, Gloucester boys soccer hosts Peabody at 4:30 p.m., and Manchester Essex plays at Mystic Valley. Gloucester girls soccer plays at Peabody at 5:30 p.m., and Gloucester volleyball hosts Georgetown at 5:45 p.m. Rockport field hockey plays at Amesbury at 6 p.m.

The National Weather Service expects a sunny Sunday with a high near 55 and light winds. The weather service says Sunday night will be clear with a low around 43, and Monday will bring mostly sunny skies and a high near 55. On the water, forecasters expect northeast winds to pick up by Tuesday, with seas building to 5 to 7 feet. High tides in Gloucester Harbor are at 5:19 a.m. and 5:29 p.m. today.

That's the Daily Current for Sunday. Everything you heard, with its sources, is at cape ann current dot com, along with short editions for each town. I'm Kerry Jane, the Cape Ann Current's host. Everything we share is free public information from public records and government data, and every source is listed on our website. Catch the Daily Current again tomorrow. Keeping Cape Ann current.

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