The January 30, 2025 Meeting of the Barnstable Town Council was conducted in person. The public was able to attend in person or participate remotely in Public Comment or during a Public Hearing via Zoom. The public was able to view the meeting on Barnstable Government Access Xfinity Channel 8 or 1070 or in High Definition on Xfinity Channel 1072 or via the live stream through the Town website. Town Council President Craig Tamash chaired the meeting and called the meeting to order. President Tamash announced that Councilors Gordon Starr and Felicia Penn have joined the meeting via Zoom. Town Clerk Ann Quirk took the Roll Call.
Town Council Vice President Kris Clark introduced Peter Bullock of Marstons Mills to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Peter joined the Navy in December 1988 right out of high school. He was sent to Orlando, Florida for boot camp. Upon graduation, he was flown to Great Lakes, Illinois for electricians mate A school. By December 1989 he was serving aboard the USS Waddel. The USS Waddell (DDS-24) was a Charles F. Abrams class guided missile destroyer. He then volunteered for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training but was not selected to advance in that program. Peter’s next assignment was to the USS Dixon, an L.Y. Spear Class Submarine Tender. His final assignment in the U.S. Navy was that the Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal school. He assisted with training by maintaining the training aids and materials by performing motor repairs to outboards and electrical repairs on small boats and dive platforms. He left the Navy in February 1998. He resides with his family in Marstons Mills.
President Tamash asked all to remain standing for a Moment of Silence in honor of the lives lost in the tragic accident involving a passenger plane and Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, D.C. and those we hold dear.
Next was Public Comment. President Tamash announced that Town Councilor Betty Ludtke has joined the meeting via Zoom. Public Comment was followed by Council Response to Public Comment.
President Tamash announced that Town Manager Communications for the period of January 8 – 28, 2025 had been pre-recorded by Town Manager Mark Ells and was shown on our Government Access Channel prior to the meeting. The recorded version of Mr. Ells’s Town Manager Communications may be viewed here and the itemized list is shared below:
- We continue with the preparation of the Capital and Operating Budget for FY 2026. On February 6, 2025 the Comprehensive Financial Advisory Committee will present at Town Council its Analysis of the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan funding model (attached). For information on our fiscal year budgets please view the Town’s Open Budget website at http://budget.townofbarnstable.us.
- The Federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which oversees the performance of federal agencies and administers the federal budget, has placed a temporary pause on all federal grants and loans, effective at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28. This pause is intended to give federal departments time to evaluate recent executive orders. The pause excludes Social Security, Medicare, and direct individual assistance but will likely impact funding for public programs, nonprofit support, and local projects. It includes the awarding of new grants and the disbursement of funds from existing federal awards. We have sufficient short-term cash flow to ensure there will be no immediate disruptions to local services. Departments are assessing affected programs and will prepare contingency plans if needed. We are closely monitoring developments and will keep you advised as additional information becomes available.
- The Town is proceeding with a short-term license for the Town-owned parking lot at 30 Ocean Street in Hyannis. The parking area does not currently have access and a user must cross the abutting property to utilize the parking lot. The abutter has requested that the Town grant a short-term license for use of the property as a parking lot. This license arrangement will provide the Town time to develop a strategy for retention or disposal of this property. The Town put this property out for disposal through lease or sale in 2023, and the Town Council ultimately did not approve of the recommended sale of this asset to the aforementioned abutter. A short-term license allows for continued parking lot use of this property while various concepts for the property are developed and a long-term use is determined. When the Great Streets program moves forward with the implementation of two-way traffic in that area, this parcel may provide a long-term use for pedestrian connectivity in that area, and Town Council may choose to repurpose the property at that time. We will keep you advised of the progress on this matter.
- As previously reported, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) issued a Notice of Public Hearing and draft regulations for implementing the Public Lands Preservation Act (PLPA), now referred to by EEA as the Open Space Act (attached). The PLPA and these draft regulations concern process and mitigation for the disposition or change in use of land or interests in land protected under Article 97 of the Amendments to the State Constitution. The Town Attorney’s Office has submitted comments on the draft regulation and the comment letter is attached. We will keep you advised as this matter progresses.
- I met with Sanjana Paul from the MIT Renewable Energy Facility Siting Clinic regarding their fall semester clinic report. They are interested in continuing with the stakeholder assessment and in having a discussion with the Town as to next efforts that would benefit public engagement and the Town. I agreed to discuss the attached report with staff and Town Council and get back to them. I am supportive of a continued relationship for spring semester 2025.
- Earlier today, the Town of Barnstable hosted the Cape Cod Association of Public Procurement Officials for their monthly meeting. Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro was in attendance. The Inspector General’s Office is an independent oversight agency that promotes good government by preventing and detecting the misuse of public funds and public property. They conduct confidential investigations, improve transparency in government, help government run more effectively, and educate government employees and the public to help government operate efficiently and use public funds appropriately. I had an opportunity to meet with the Inspector General Shapiro and he commented on the outstanding job Barnstable’s professional staff does and he said he looks forward to continuing to provide support to Barnstable and Cape Cod. I want to thank Amber Patterson, Barnstable’s Chief Procurement Officer, on a job well done.
- Kelly Collopy, Communications Manager for the Public Works Department, will provide an update on Water Resource Management planning including the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan.
Town Manager Ells and Town Attorney Karen Nober came to the podium to respond to Councilor questions.
President Tamash called upon Town Clerk Ann Quirk for a report on Public Records Requests. Falmouth has had just over 200. Barnstable had 718 last year. It’s not just what comes into the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) software. We also get requests through in person, phone, and emails that are not included in that number. Something the Town Council should be aware of.
President Tamash announced that since some Councilors are participating remotely all votes would be roll call votes. The Council voted to Act on Public Session Minutes: January 9, 2025.
DELEGATION OF OPEN MEETING LAW COMPLAINT
Proposed Vote: To delegate to the Town Attorney responsibility for responding to the Open Meeting Law Complaint submitted by Maria and Greg Gerdy to the Town Council President and Town Clerk on January 27, 2025. The vote was approved.
Communications from elected officials, boards, committees, and staff, commission reports, correspondence and announcements.
Town Manager Review 2024
Orders of the Day.
OLD BUSINESS
AGENDA ITEM 2025-065 Appropriation Order in the amount of $164,000 in Community Preservation Act Funds for the purpose of conservation, preservation and restoration of gravestones in the Universalist Cemetery located at 320 Main Street, Hyannis, as shown on Assessor’s Map 327, Parcel 074.
Presented by Tom Lee, Vice Chair of the Community Preservation Committee, and Pam Brown, a member of the Federated Church of Hyannis. The item was approved.
The PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here.
AGENDA ITEM 2025-066 Appropriation Order in the amount of $50,000 in Community Preservation Act Funds for the purpose of hiring a consultant to assist with updating the Town of Barnstable’s Open Space and Recreation Plan.
Presented by Tom Lee, Vice Chair of the Community Preservation Committee, and Kyle Pedicini, Assistant Director of Planning & Development. The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2025-067 Authorization of a contract with a term of up to ten years for the management of the Conant Meeting House Farm property located in West Barnstable.
Town Attorney Karen Nober offered an amendment to the item as it is not a management contract – it is a “long-term license” for public property.
The amended item: In accordance with G.L. c. 30B, Sec. 12(b), the Town Council does hereby authorize and delegate to the Town Manager the award of a long-term license to use and occupy the Conant Meeting House Farm property located at 2135 Meetinghouse Way/Route 149 in West Barnstable for a term of up to ten years commencing on or about May 1, 2025.
Presented by Director of Asset Management David Anthony. The item as amended was approved.
The PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here.
AGENDA ITEM 2025-068 Authorization of a contract with a term of up to ten years for a fixed base operator to provide management oversight services at Cape Cod Airfield in Marstons Mills.
Town Attorney Karen Nober offered an amendment to the item as it is not a management contract – it is a long-term license for public property.
The amended item: In accordance with G.L. c. 30B, Sec. 12(b), the Town Council does hereby authorize and delegate to the Town Manager the award of a long-term license for a fixed base operator to use and occupy Cape Cod Airfield in Marstons Mills for a term of up to ten years commencing on or about May 1, 2025.
Presented by Director of Asset Management David Anthony. The item as amended was approved.
The PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here.
NEW BUSINESS
AGENDA ITEM 2025-069 Authorization to contract for and expend a grant in the amount of $252,000 from the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration Fiscal Year 2024 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program.
Presented by Planning & Development Director Jim Kupfer. DPW Director Dan Santos was on hand to answer Councilor questions. The item was approved.
The PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here.
AGENDA ITEM 2025-070 Appropriation Order in the amount of $40,025 for the purpose of purchasing pro shop merchandise for resale was referred to a Public Hearing on 02/27/2025.
AGENDA ITEM 2025-071 Resolve approving a letter requesting MassDevelopment conduct a feasibility study on establishing a Joint Military and Civilian Airport at Joint Base Cape Cod.
Town Councilor Felicia Penn moved to amend the letter to include the words “and economic development” in the last sentence. The motion to amend was approved.
President Tamash invited Airport Manager Katie Servis to make a statement.
Presented by Town Councilor Betty Ludtke. The item as amended was approved.
The next regularly scheduled Town Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025. The public is able to view through Xfinity High Definition Channel 1072 (or Xfinity Channel 8 or 1070) or Live Streaming on the Town of Barnstable’s website. Real-time public comment may be addressed to the Barnstable Town Council utilizing the Zoom video link or telephone number and access meeting code which will be included on the Agenda. Written Comments may be submitted to: https://tobweb.town.barnstable.ma.us/boardscommittees/towncouncil/Town_Council/Agenda-Comment.asp. The meeting Agenda will be available on the Town of Barnstable’s website (www.townofbarnstable.us).
