Town Green

An in-depth analysis examines the growing conflict between development and drinking-water protection at Truro’s Walsh Property. Drawing on decades of hydrogeological studies, inter-municipal agreements with Provincetown, and recent consultant reports, the article explains why the property is central to the region’s long-term water supply. It highlights scientific findings showing groundwater from the entire site flows toward critical public wells, raising concerns about dense development. The piece concludes by urging renewed collaboration and evidence-based planning to balance housing needs with safeguarding scarce, irreplaceable water resources.

Truro’s landfill is poised to become a model of clean energy innovation. With overwhelming voter endorsement six months ago, and pending Select Board contract approval on Nov 12, a new solar array can begin construction before year-end so it can capture federal credits worth 40 percent of the project cost as well as state incentives, and help eliminate the town’s fossil-fuel use by 2050. Truro will follow 115 solar installations on landfills state-wide. With state environmental safeguards in place, this initiative aligns with Truro’s Climate Leader status and long-term commitment to sustainability, fiscal prudence, and resilience for future generations.

Truro and Provincetown share a long, formal partnership over drinking water, anchored by North Union Field wells on the Walsh Property and strengthened in 2024 by a Joint Water Resources Working Group and a $300,000 grant to update planning. As Truro advances dense mixed-use housing, Provincetown officials urge groundwater modeling at Walsh—viewed as a top potential source—before proceeding. A recent 9,900 gallons-per-day connection request has prompted calls to “pause” until water-supply impacts, wellhead protections, and siting tradeoffs are fully vetted.

Truro advances the landfill solar array: the Town Manager signed a Letter of Intent with Solect Energy; town counsel review precedes a Purchase & Installation Agreement targeted for September 25 approval by the Select Board. Federal changes (July 7 Executive Order; IRS Notice 2025-42) retain the 5% safe harbor for ≤1.5 MW, enabling ~40% ITC savings.