Town Council Meeting – Thursday, April 30, 2026
The April 30, 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. The public was able to view the meeting on Barnstable Government Access (BGA) Xfinity Channel 8 or 1070 or in High Definition on Xfinity Channel 1072 or via the live stream through the Town website (www.barnstable.gov). Viewers may 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. Town Council President Craig Tamash chaired the meeting and called the meeting to order. President Tamash announced that Councilors Charlie Bloom, John Crow, Lisa DaLuz, and Felicia Penn are participating remotely this evening and all votes will be via Roll Call. Town Clerk Ann Quirk took the Roll Call.
Town Councilor Betty Ludtke introduced Navy Captain Dave Gilliland to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Captain Gilliland has been a resident of the Town of Barnstable since 1988. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He served for seven years on active duty and an additional twenty years in the Naval Reserve. He retired as a Captain/O6. Dave was a naval aviator primarily flying the P-3 Orion. His first tour was with Patrol Squadron 5 in Jacksonville, Florida followed by multiengine flight instructor duty with Training Squadron 31 in Corpus Christi, Texas. After leaving active duty he flew with Patrol Squadron 92 at South Weymouth, Massachusetts and Brunswick, Maine. Dave commanded the squadron from 2000 until 2001. His final duty was as military liaison to Federal Emergency Management Agency. Dave is blessed with an amazing wife and four wonderful children. Two are currently serving: his son Ryan is a Navy Strategic Sealift Officer and his daughter Claire is an engineering officer in the Coast Guard. Dave is also very proud of his father, a former Barnstable resident, who fought in World War 2 with the 44th Infantry Division.
President Tamash asked all to remain standing for a Moment of Silence. Town Clerk Ann Quirk shared, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Marylou Fair – a dedicated public servant who was a pillar of support for her colleagues for nearly two decades. Marylou’s journey with the Town, spanning from 2008 until 2026, highlights a career defined by versatility and commitment:
- A Multi-Talented Career: She lent her expertise to various departments, including Planning (formerly Growth Management), Assessing, and most recently, the Legal Department.
- Civic Dedication: Her role on the Town Clerk’s voting team was instrumental, particularly during the challenges of COVID-19, ensuring the integrity of mail-in and early voting processes. Marylou was a true force of nature!
- A “Go-To” Colleague: The phrase “Ask Marylou!” serves as a lasting testament to her helpful nature and the deep trust her peers placed in her.
Our thoughts are with her daughter, Ashley, and the entire family during this difficult time.”
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 April 15 through April 29, 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:
- We continue with the preparation of the Operating Budget for FY 2027. We remain on schedule with the budget action calendar. Town Council hearings on the recommended FY 2027 Capital Budget concluded on April 16, 2026. The Fiscal Year 2027 Capital Improvement Plan is available on the Town’s website at the link provided. On April 1, 2026, the School Committee voted to adopt their proposed FY2027 School Operating Budget, the proposed operating budget shall be included in the Town Manager proposed FY 2027 Operating Budget scheduled to be submitted to Town Council on May 13, 2026. For information on our fiscal year budgets, please view the Town’s Open Budget website at http://budget.townofbarnstable.us.
- The Board of the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund which was established by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2018 to help Cape Cod and Islands towns pay for necessary wastewater infrastructure and water quality remediation projects voted favorably on April 29, 2026, a 25% subsidy for all projects listed on the 2026 Clean Water Intended Use Plan. Since its inception, the Fund has awarded more than $300 million in subsidies to wastewater and water quality projects in 13 of the 15 Cape Cod communities. The list of qualified projects is available at capecodcommission.org/meetingnotices.
- The four Town-owned Marinas will open Friday, May 1st.
Gateway Marina in Hyannis
Bismore Park Marina in Hyannis
Barnstable Harbor Marina in Barnstable
The Marina at Prince Cove in Marstons Mills
Transient slips are available, please contact the Harbormaster office 508-790-6273 for further details.
- A total of 169 rain barrels were purchased through the Town’s newly established Rain Barrel Program. By collecting water that runs off rooftops, rain barrels are an effective way to reduce stormwater runoff, conserve water, and support the health of our local waterways. The Town will continue to coordinate the Rain Barrel Program in collaboration with the Great American Rain Barrel Company annually each spring.
- Kelly Collopy, DPW Communications Manager, provided a Water Resources Update including the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan. Ms. Collopy’s PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here.
Act on Public Session Minutes: April 16, 2026
COMMUNICATIONS – from elected officials, boards, committees, and staff, commission reports, correspondence and announcements
Silent Spring Institute
Dr. Laurel Schaider, Senior Scientist, Environmental Chemistry and Engineering;
Cheryl Osimo, Cape Cod Coordinator
Dr. Schaider’s PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here.
Town Manager Mark Ells has communicated directly with the legislature as it relates to state funding.
Workshop discussion regarding Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
Jean Challies, Chief, Barnstable Police Department
Kevin Connolly, Detective Sergeant, Barnstable Police Department
Robert J. Galibois, District Attorney
Jessica Elumba, First Assistant District Attorney
Det. Sgt. Connolly’s PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here.
Tom LaRosa, First Assistant Town Attorney, responded to Councilor questions.
OLD BUSINESS
AGENDA ITEM 2026-164 Appropriation Order in the amount of $400,000 for the Hyannis West Elementary School Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Design Project.
Presented by Sara Ahern, Barnstable Public Schools Superintendent, and Doug Boulanger, Barnstable Public Schools Director of Facilities. The Item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-165 Appropriation Order in the amount of $200,000 for the Barnstable United Elementary School Pipe Wrapping Project.
Presented by Sara Ahern, Barnstable Public Schools Superintendent, and Doug Boulanger, Barnstable Public Schools Director of Facilities. The Item was approved.
NEW BUSINESS
AGENDA ITEM 2026-166 Authorization to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2026 and 2027 Grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office in the amount of $75,000 for the Upper Marstons Mills Fish Passage Improvement Project.
Presented by Daniel Santos, PhD, Director of Public Works. The Item was approved.
AGENDA ITEMS 2026-167 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $786,488 for a feasibility study and schematic design and associated project management for the Roof Replacement Projects at the Barnstable High School and Barnstable Intermediate School and AGENDA ITEM 2026-168 Appropriation Order in the amount of $320,000 for the purpose of funding outside counsel expenses of the Legal Department were referred to individual Public Hearings on 05/14/2026 and AGENDA ITEM 2026-169 Authorization of a Housing Development Incentive Program Tax Increment Exemption Agreement between the Town of Barnstable and Seashore Homes, Inc. for sixteen (16) new market rate residential rental units and two (2) affordable rental units located at 83 Main Street, Hyannis, MA was referred to a Second Reading on 05/14/2026.
President Tamash congratulated Councilor Will Crocker on his retirement from the legislature today.
Councilors Will Crocker and Matthew Levesque recused themselves from the Executive Session part of the meeting.
President Tamash moved to go into EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, sec. 21(a)(6) to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, specifically, the property located at 0, 167 and 177 Pleasant Street in Hyannis, since a discussion in open session may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Town and Town Council. The Town Council will not return to Public Session.
The next regularly scheduled Town Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 14, 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).
