- Elizabeth Jenkins, Director of Planning & Development shall provide an update on the Local Comprehensive Plan.
- On October 26-28, 2021 we experienced a Nor’easter that resulted in extensive power outages and significant wind related damages. The DPW has concluded roadside brush cleanup on our primary roadways and secondary roadways. On November 30, 2021 the Town received notice that no Federal Disaster Declaration is possible because both county and state thresholds need to be met to qualify for federal disaster aid.
- We are proceeding with the budget action calendar for FY 2023. We have issued the Capital and Operating Budget Instructions to the departments and are planning for a proposed level of service budget in FY 2023. We previously reported that the Bureau of Local Assessment approved the Town’s assessed valuations that will be used to set the FY 2022 tax rate and the Town Council can act on the two tax levy shifting options to decide how the FY22 tax levy of $136 million will be raised. The options were presented to the Town Council at the November 18th Town Council Meeting and votes are scheduled take place later this evening. The action taken on these two items will not impact the amount of property taxes levied in FY22, but will decide how the $136 million tax levy will be distributed between and within property classes. For information on our fiscal year budgets please view the Town’s Open Budget website at http://budget.townofbarnstable.us.
- We continue to have regular conversations with Vineyard Wind (VW) regarding the status of the Phase I and Phase II VW Projects. VW continues to work with Barnstable staff regarding both Phase I & II of the project. VW has commenced construction on Phase I and are proceeding with permitting on Phase II. We will continue negotiation with VW as previously authorized in 2019 on a Phase III project including a discussion of the proposed landing and cable routing. Vineyard Wind may receive notification regarding the award a Phase III grant area by mid December 2021. Vineyard Wind plans to share their proposed Phase III landing locations west of Craigville Beach landing and has requested the opportunity to share with the Town Council and public in the near future. We will keep you advised of our progress on this matter.
- The Town of Barnstable’s Department of Public Works continues sewer construction for the Strawberry Hill Road Sewer Expansion Project. A new gravity sewer will be installed in portions of Craigville Beach Road, Strawberry Hill Road, Wequaquet Lane and Phinney’s Lane. Additionally, a new submersible pump station will be installed on a Town easement at the intersection of Strawberry Hill Road and Craigville Beach Road. Construction will be coordinated with Vineyard Wind, which will be installing a duct bank and associated utility relocations in the same area as part of its offshore wind energy Phase 1 project. Upon the completion of both projects, Vineyard Wind will resurface disturbed roadways within the project area. If you have any questions or wish to receive project updates, please contact Paul Ruszala, P.E., Senior Project Manager, at the Department of Public Works at 508-790-6400 or paul.ruszala@town.barnstable.ma.us. More information about the Strawberry Hill Road Project and the Town of Barnstable’s CWMP is available at: https://barnstablewaterresources.com/. Please sign up for Enews, our community current newsletter: https://barnstablewaterresources.com/news-updates/. Construction Updates can be viewed on Barnstableenews.com and we are working to get the link for this site on the Town’s homepage.
- Ann Quirk, Town Clerk shall provide an update on precinct modification.