Town Council Meeting – Thursday, July 16, 2026
The July 16, 2026 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. Please note that this in-person meeting will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the remote connection or the live broadcast or live stream. If the public has a particular interest in a topic to be discussed, please consider attending the meeting in person. Town Council President Craig Tamash chaired the meeting and called the meeting to order. Assistant Town Clerk Janet Murphy took the Roll Call.
Town Councilor Betty Ludtke introduced Lieutenant John Schneeberger to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Lieutenant Schneeberger was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at the University of Notre Dame in May 1972. He served as a Minuteman Missile Launch Officer at Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Missouri, from 1972 to 1975. In 1974, he was selected to monitor and launch two Minuteman missiles from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California down the Pacific Test Range. While serving in the Air Force, he earned his MBA from the University of Missouri through the Air Force Institute of Technology program. John resides in Hyannis Port.
President Tamash asked all to remain standing for a Moment of Silence in honor of those who have died in service to our country and all you we hold near and dear to us.
Next was Public Comment followed by Council Response to Public Comment.
President Tamash announced that Town Manager Mark Ells’s Town Manager Communications for the period of June 24, 2026 through July 14, 2026 had been pre-recorded and was shown on our Government Access Channel prior to the meeting.
Mr. Ells’s Town Manager Communications video may be viewed here and the itemized list is shared below:
- With more hot weather predicted this week please be mindful of safety during such weather events. Cape Cod remains in Level 2 Drought status. I have provided a link to the state’s website advising relative to drought conditions for your use. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/drought-status?_ga=2.3804024.994881929.1784038619-373715957.1576081157&_gl=1*1rfnnvr*_ga*MzczNzE1OTU3LjE1NzYwODExNTc.*_ga_MCLPEGW7WM*czE3ODQwNDI5NDUkbzgxJGcxJHQxNzg0MDQyOTQ1JGo2MCRsMCRoMA.
- The Town of Barnstable is currently navigating a significant fiscal challenge requiring a shift from the annual use of reserves for operating budgets as this is not a sustainable strategy and the generation of additional revenue to create a sustainable fiscal budget strategy. A sustainable operating budget strategy coupled with a need to proceed with priority capital projects has resulted in the Town Council needing to examine its fiscal policies and revenue strategy as we proceed with the priorities of our community. While the Town relies heavily on property taxes, state-mandated caps under Proposition 2½ prevent revenue from keeping pace with rising operating and capital costs. To address this challenge, Town Manager Mark Ells and Finance Director Mark Milne will review with the Town Council several balancing measures, including reducing public services, increasing local fees, or pursuing tax overrides and debt exclusions as potential future strategies to manage these challenges. Ultimately, the Town must identify new revenue streams, such as the Water Infrastructure Investment Fund and property tax overrides, to bridge the gap between its operating and capital needs and available resources. Please follow closely and participate in this matter as examining these critical fiscal management issues is a priority for our community.
- This is a reminder that the Town of Barnstable has processed the FY 2027 Preliminary Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills, which will be mailed to property owners shortly. Preliminary tax bills are calculated at 50% of the total taxes assessed for the previous fiscal year (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).
Payment Due Dates:
First Installment: August 3, 2026
Second Installment: November 2, 2026
Payment Options:
By Mail:
Please mail payments to:
Town of Barnstable, PO Box 848213, Boston, MA 02284
Online:
Payments may be made online through Invoice Cloud Online Payment Portal using the “Pay Taxes” quick link on the town’s home page.
In Person:
Payments may be made at the Tax Collector’s Office:
Town Hall, 367 Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601
For questions regarding your tax bill or payment options, please contact the Tax Collector’s Office at 508-862-4054
- As a follow up to prior communications, the Town’s new budget transparency program is available on the Town’s website under the Finance Division. The site includes detailed information on the Town’s revenue, expenditures, demographics, and approved capital projects for Fiscal Year 2027. The Town will continue to work on fine tuning the site to improve its efficiency.
- Following the approval of Town Council, the Town of Barnstable is now an active member of the Barnstable County Shared Regional Housing Services Program. The Town is formally a member starting July 1st of this year. The service will provide virtual office hours, technical assistance, and provide regional resources. Additionally, the program will provide the Town with an in-depth audit of our existing subsidized housing inventory and monitoring of affordable housing units listed on the inventory moving forward. We look forward to this strategic partnership to better understand our affordable housing needs. To learn more please visit the County webpage: https://www.capecod.gov/departments/human-services/initiatives/housing-homelessness/shared-regional-housing-services/
- We have been receiving more frequent complaints about the use of leaf blowers, especially during early mornings and evenings. As a general reminder it is kindly requested that community-wide leaf blower etiquette is followed to respect our neighborhood environment. To promote courteous use of leaf blowers by our residents and your contractors, it is recommended that use is limited to the following hours:
- Weekdays: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Weekends: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thank you for consideration of this request.
- In May of this year our Governor filed legislation (https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S3077) tostrengthen public safety and regulate micromobility devices, like e-bikes, scooters and mopeds. An Act to enhance the safe use of micromobility devices, otherwise known as the “Ride Safe Act,” builds on recommendations from a statewide commission created under Governor Healey’s Mass Leads Act and responds directly to growing safety concerns on Massachusetts roads, sidewalks and bike lanes, positioning Massachusetts as a national leader in regulating emerging transportation technologies. Please put safe transportation as a top priority in your own and your children’s operating of such devices. I observe the use of e-bikes, scooters and mopeds on our roadway and at time sidewalks. These devices are not to be used on our sidewalks which are designed for pedestrians. Let’s use practical safety precautions to keep our community safe.
- Kelly Collopy, DPW Communications Manager, provided a Water Resources Update including the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan. Collopy’s PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here.
President Tamash asked Town Manager Ells to give an update for the elevator replacement which will begin on September 8, 2026 through the end of December and its impact on public accommodations that will be in place to ensure we meet our legal obligations for individuals with disabilities to access town programs, services, and public meetings in Town Hall.
Act on Public Session Minutes: June 25, 2026
COMMUNICATIONS – from elected officials, boards, committees, and staff, commission reports, correspondence and announcements
Great Streets Final Presentation
James Kupfer, Director, Planning and Development
Daniel W. Santos, P.E., Director, Department of Public Works
Griffin Beaudoin, Town Engineer
The Great Streets Presentation may be viewed here.
President Tamash invited Town Attorney Karen Nober to brief the Council on certain provisions of the Energy Bill pending in the State Legislature affecting the Town of Barnstable. Attorney Nober discussed the inclusion of the word “easement” in the permit extension provisions of the Senate’s version of the bill and explained that, by including that word, the Senate was attempting to relieve Park City Wind of its contractual obligations to the Town, obligations which were negotiated in good faith by the Town and agreed to by PCW and the Town in a Side Agreement to the Host Community Agreement.
Fiscal Policy and Revenue Strategy
Mark Ells, Town Manager
Mark Milne, Finance Director
The Fiscal Policy and Revenue Strategy may be viewed here.
President Tamash took a number of items out of order.
OLD BUSINESS
CONSENT AGENDA:
Proposed Vote: To refer Items 2027-007, 2027-008, 2027-009 to the Planning Board as written.
AGENDA ITEMS 2027-007 Amending the Code of the Town of Barnstable, Part I General Ordinances, Chapter 240 Zoning, Article III District Regulations, to revise the definition of building height for the Downtown Hyannis Zoning Districts and create building height standards for the Downtown Neighborhood Zoning District; 2027-008 Amending the Code of the Town of Barnstable, Part I General Ordinances, Chapter 240 Zoning, Article III district regulations, to revise primary and secondary front setback requirements in the Downtown Main Street and Downtown Village Zoning Districts; and 2027-009 Amending the Code of the Town of Barnstable, Part I General Ordinances, Chapter 240 to amend the zoning map to revise the boundaries of the Downtown Main Street and Downtown Neighborhood Zoning Districts.
Proposed Vote: To refer Items 2027-001, 2027-011 and 2027-014 to individual Second Readings to be held on each item at the Town Council meeting on August 20, 2026
AGENDA ITEMS 2027-001 Appointments to a Board/Committee/Commission: Board of Assessors: James O’Neill, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2029; District Improvement Financing Program Advisory Committee (DIF): Jen Villa, as a business representative member outside the Business Improvement District (BID); Open Space Committee: Sharon Harrison, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2029; Zoning Board of Appeals: John Carey, as an associate member to a term expiring 06/30/2027; 2027-011 Order authorizing the taking of road easements by eminent domain for sewer and water purposes over certain private roads in Centerville Village in connection with the Long Pond Area Sewer Expansion Project; and 2027-014 Authorization of a Housing Development Incentive Program Tax Increment Exemption Agreement between the Town of Barnstable and 91 Louis LLC for four (4) new Market Rate Residential Rental Units located at 91 Louis Street, Hyannis.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-212 Appointments to a Board/Committee/Commission: District Improvement Financing Committee: Satchel Douglas, as a resident representing Precinct 9; Elizabeth Young, as a resident representing Precinct 13.
The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-213 Reappointments to a Board/Committee/Commission: Board of Health: F.P.Tom Lee, as a regular member, to a term expiring 06/30/2029; Conservation Commission: John Abodeely, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2029; Disability Commission: Paul Logan, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2029.
The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-217 Order authorizing grants of easements for gas facilities to serve three sewer pump stations on town-owned land.
Presented by First Assistant Town Attorney Tom LaRosa. The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-218 Order authorizing grants of easements for electric facilities to serve three sewer pump stations on town-owned land.
Presented by First Assistant Town Attorney Tom LaRosa. The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-219 Order authorizing the acquisition of an easement for sewer purposes on land at 272 South Main Street in Centerville.
Presented by First Assistant Town Attorney Tom LaRosa. The item was approved.
NEW BUSINESS
AGENDA ITEM 2027-002 Resolve to schedule a special election to be held on October 13, 2026 to fill a vacancy on the Town Council.
The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2027-003 Authorization to contract for and expend a grant in the amount of $50,000 from the Executive Office for Administration and Finance Fiscal Year 2027 Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance Grant Program.
Presented by Planning and Development Director Jim Kupfer. The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2027-004 Approval and ratification of the Town Manager’s decision to act on behalf of the Town to join the statewide public safety mutual aid agreement established pursuant to Section 4J of Chapter 40 of the General Laws.
Presented by Barnstable Police Chief Jean Challies. The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2027-005 Acquisition of an affordable housing restriction on land located in Hyannis at 55 Wilkens Lane.
Presented by Planning and Development Director Jim Kupfer. The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2027-006 Confirming reappointments and appointment to the Affordable Housing/Growth & Development Trust Fund Board.
Presented by Town Manager Mark Ells. The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2027-010 Acquisition of an affordable housing restriction on land located at 235 Barnstable Road in Hyannis.
Presented by Planning and Development Director Jim Kupfer. The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2027-012 Authorization to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2027 Victim and Survivor Services Grant in the amount of $64,722 from the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance.
Presented by Barnstable Police Chief Jean Challies. The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2027-013 Authorization to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2027 Regional Public Safety Answering Point and Regional Emergency Communications Center Development Grant in the amount of $525,500 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.
Presented by Barnstable Police Chief Jean Challies. The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2027-015 Establishing town policy regarding the Town Council’s consideration of the acceptance and layout of new private ways as public ways.
Presented by Planning and Development Director Jim Kupfer. The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2027-016 Resolve dissolving and discontinuing the Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) Committee of the Town Council after completion by the committee of its review and recommendations of any pending applications and requiring that new TIE applications shall be submitted directly to the Town Council, through the Director of Planning & Development, provided that approvals by the Town Council shall not exceed the minimum standards set forth in Section 5M of Chapter 59 of the General Laws.
Motion to amend the item was approved.
Presented by Planning and Development Director Jim Kupfer and Town Attorney Karen Nober. The item as amended was approved.
The next regularly scheduled Town Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026. 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. Viewers can now watch BGA programming through our dedicated app available on both Apple and Android smartphones, as well as popular streaming platforms including Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire Stick. 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: Council@barnstable.gov. The meeting Agenda will be available on the Town of Barnstable’s website (www.barnstable.gov). If any member of the public wishing to attend this meeting seeks special accommodations in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act or state law, please contact Tammy Cunningham, Deputy Director of Human Resources, at (508) 862-4692, or at Tammy.Cunningham@barnstable.gov.
