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Cape Air Winter Service

At a glance

  • What: How, and whether, Provincetown pays to keep Cape Air flying to the Provincetown Airport in winter 2026-2027.
  • Where it stands: On August 24 the Select Board voted 5-0 for winter schedule Option 2 after the Finance Committee approved $70,000 from its reserve fund 4-3. On September 1 the Board voted 3-0 to reconsider that vote and direct the Town Manager and the Airport Commission to implement a modified Option 3 schedule for winter 2026-2027.
  • Next: Implementation of the modified Option 3 schedule. The minutes do not describe the options' schedules or costs in detail.
  • Contention: Residents who spoke on September 1 said the Town had already rejected funding at Town Meeting; speakers on August 24 stressed the importance of winter service.

Timeline

  • July 27: Airport staffer Orter raised a time-sensitive Cape Air proposal during public statements. The Board voted 5-0 (motion Miller, second Sandberg) to direct Town Manager Morse to draft a request to the Finance Committee to fund winter air service and negotiate with Cape Air on options and funding sources. It also voted 5-0 (motion Sandberg, second Miller) to direct a letter to Truro, Wellfleet, Eastham and Orleans asking whether they can provide funds.
  • August 24: In a joint meeting with the Finance Committee (opened by Chair Bjorstrom at 6:39 PM; members Jim McGuire, Marianne Clements, Chip Capelli, Doug Cliggot, David Panagore and Kass Goodwin present), State Senator Cyr announced he had secured $150,000 in funding for Cape Air and stressed the importance of the service. Airport Manager Juraseck clarified points. The Finance Committee voted 4-3 (motion Bjorstrom, second McGuire) to approve $70,000 for Cape Air from the Finance Committee Reserve Fund. The Select Board then voted 5-0 (motion Miller, second Sandberg) to direct the Town Manager and Airport Commission to work with Cape Air to implement winter schedule Option 2. Public speakers Kent and Rossmoore spoke for keeping winter service.
  • September 1 (special meeting): Town Manager Morse reiterated the funding options, went through the timeline with Cape Air and added legal clarification from KP Law. The Board voted 3-0 (motion Golden, second Sandberg; Abramson, Golden and Sandberg aye; Masterpolo and Miller absent) to reconsider its August 24 vote selecting Option 2 and to implement the modified Option 3 schedule as presented.

Public comment (September 1)

  • MacDonald, a former Cape Air employee, spoke in favor of Option 2.
  • A resident identified only as Donna said Provincetown residents had rejected Article 12 at Town Meeting in April and that the vote was clear. McGrath agreed the Town had already considered this and the answer was no. Keith thanked the Board and said he respects the wishes of the Town.

Data gaps

  • The minutes do not spell out what Option 2, Option 3 and the modified Option 3 contain, or the total cost to the Town.

Sources

Log

2026-09-01 - Select Board Special Meeting

Reconsidered the August 24 Option 2 vote and moved to a modified Option 3 schedule, 3-0. Public speakers split between Option 2 and respecting the April Town Meeting result.

2026-08-24 - Select Board

Joint meeting with the Finance Committee: $70,000 reserve fund request approved 4-3; Select Board chose Option 2, 5-0. Senator Cyr announced $150,000 secured.

2026-07-27 - Select Board

Board directed a request to the Finance Committee and letters to Truro, Wellfleet, Eastham and Orleans asking for funds, both 5-0.