The April 6, 2023 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 Channel 18 or live stream through the Town website. Town Council President Matthew Levesque called the meeting to order and Town Clerk Ann Quirk took the Roll Call. President Levesque led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Moment of Silence. There was no Public Comment. President Levesque announced that Mr. Ells’ Town Manager Communications for the period of March 17-April 6, 2023 have been recorded and were shown prior to this meeting.  Councilors had a number of comments and questions for Mr. Ells who was joined by Finance Director Mark Milne in providing responses. The recorded version of Mr. Ells’ Town Manager Communications can be viewed here. Mr. Ells’ report can be viewed on-line and the itemized list is shared below:

  1. On Friday, April 7, 2023 six local public safety agencies from the Town of Barnstable will be conducting a joint training at Barnstable High School.  The Barnstable Police Department along with the Hyannis, Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills (COMM), Barnstable, West Barnstable, and Cotuit Fire Departments will be training the first responders on active shooter/mass casualty response.  There are estimated to be 150 total participants from trainees, instructors, and volunteers.  There are instructors from other Cape Cod Public Safety Agencies including the Yarmouth, Eastham, Harwich, and Mashpee Police Departments.  The training is broken down into two stages.  The first stage has the trainees rotating through four training stations to include Unified Command training, Rescue Task Force implementation, Casualty Collection/Contact Team movement, and Victim Extraction.  The second part of training will be two scenarios that will test the skills learned in the morning.  This training is part of an ongoing plan to ensure a multi-agency response to such an event.
  2. We are proceeding with the Budget Action Calendar for FY2024 as scheduled.  The Capital Budget for FY2024 and Capital Plan for FY2024 to FY2028 have been submitted to the Town Council and a first read is scheduled for this evening.  Mark Milne, Director of Finance, will provide a summary of the FY2024 Capital Improvement Plan.  Public hearings on the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) orders are scheduled to begin at the April 27, 2023 Town Council Meeting.  The Town Manager Hearing on proposed changes to fiscal year fees was held on Tuesday, March 21st at 11:00 AM via Zoom.  The proposed fees are posted on the Town website and comments will be accepted through April 20, 2023.  The School Committee voted to recommend the proposed FY2024 School Operating Budget last evening as per the budget calendar.  The proposed budget has been submitted to the Town Manager for inclusion in the proposed FY2024 Town Operating Budget for submittal and consideration by Town Council.  Operating budget hearings commence in June 2023.  We have a scheduled workshop later this evening with Town Council to continue the discussion regarding revenue sources to address the capital costs of implementing the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan.  For information on our fiscal year budgets, please view the Town’s Open Budget website at http://budget.townofbarnstable.us.
  3. Last summer Barnstable was required to stop beach raking at some of our public beaches after a complaint was received by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program regarding endangered species habitat.  After further discussions with this state agency as recently as April 5, 2023 and in order to be compliant with state and federal laws, we need to temporarily discontinue raking at beaches that are designated as Endangered Species Habitat.  The beaches that will not be raked in 2023 are Dowses, Kalmus, Craigville, Covell’s and Fortes Beach.  We are committed to exploring permitting opportunities for raking these beaches in the future.  This will likely involve a Beach Raking Management Plan that is reviewed by the state agency for compliance with the Endangered Species Act.  We will keep our community advised as we progress on this matter.
  4. On February 15, 2023, a group of municipal officials met with Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll on the proposed regulatory changes to Title 5 and Watershed Permit regulations.  A second meeting with the Lieutenant Governor and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) was held on March 3, 2023 to continue a discussion regarding comments and concerns expressed to MassDEP about the proposed regulatory changes.  A third meeting was held with Town of Barnstable and MassDEP staff on March 22, 2023 to discuss specific questions MassDEP had relative to our comment letters.  MassDEP was trying to better understand our comments on the proposed regulations.  We do anticipate that MassDEP will promulgate changes to the regulations in the future therefore discussions such as this one with Cape Cod communities are critical as the proposed changes have significant impacts on Cape Cod properties.  MassDEP questions focused on how the proposed regulations comport with the Town’s efforts to implement its approved Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan.  We will keep you advised of our progress on this matter.
  5. On Friday, March 31st the Hyannis Golf Course reopened to the public. The Clubhouse remains closed as we work to repair the extensive damage caused by a burst pipe in early February. We have shifted daily operations and the Golf Pro Shop to a temporary trailer, located in the parking lot adjacent to the clubhouse. We currently do not have food and beverage services, but are working diligently to have a consistent operation in place as soon as possible.
  6. The Hyannis Youth and Community Center is proud to host a new Spring Basketball League.  The Massachusetts State Police is expanding their very successful Unity Basketball League. The league is designed to increase positive interactions between law enforcement and teens.  The league consists of eight teams representing local Cape Cod High Schools. For the next ten Monday’s, games will start at 6:30pm and the gymnasium will be full of Local and State Police volunteering their time in continuing their efforts to make positive impacts with local youth.
  7. On Wednesday, April 12th, the Barnstable Youth Commission will be holding a One Love event at Barnstable High School for the Sophomore Class.  The event will focus on educating students about healthy and unhealthy relationships.  The goal of the event is to educate and provide students with the tools and resources they need to identify signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships and to bring life-saving prevention education to the community.
  8. Elizabeth Jenkins, Director of Planning and Development, will provide an update on our Local Comprehensive Plan. Director Jenkins’ PowerPoint can be viewed here.

Mr. Ells introduced Barnstable Public Schools Superintendent Sara Ahern who was present at the Town Council meeting as the School Committee approved the School budget to move forward to the Town Council in the near future. Councilors took the opportunity to ask a few questions of Superintendent Ahern.  The Council voted to approve Public Session Minutes: March 16, 2023.  Finance Director Mark Milne presented a Funding Update for the Fiscal Year 2024 to Fiscal Year 2028 Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan.  Councilors had numerous questions for Mr. Milne. Town Manager Ells provided additional input to the conversation. You may view Director Milne’s PowerPoint presentation here. Next was Communications from elected officials, boards, committees, and staff, commission reports, correspondence and announcements. John Soloman of the Infrastructure and Energy Committee made a presentation on the Collection of Food Waste for Composting. Mr. Soloman’s PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here. The Orders of the Day began with OLD BUSINESS. President Levesque took NEW BUSINESS AGENDA ITEM 2023-149 Resolve accepting a Bequest from the Estate of Edward C. Crawford in the approximate amount of $1,929,339.91 and establishing a perpetual scholarship fund to be called “The Meacham-Crawford Fund” according to the terms of the Bequest. Ms. Sheila Leach spoke about Ned Crawford and his family’s desires for this scholarship. Attorney Stuart Rapp was also present for the presentation. The Town Council and audience gave a standing ovation for this extremely generous gift. The item was approved.  President Levesque entertained a motion to open and continue Agenda Items 2023-132 and 2023-133, as written, to individual public hearings to be held on each item on April 27, 2023 (AGENDA ITEM 2023-132 Order to discontinue and abandon Mother’s Park Road, Centerville, MA and AGENDA ITEM 2023-133 Appropriation Order in the amount of $22,700 for the purpose of acquiring the fee in Mother’s Park Road by eminent domain for sewer and water and general municipal purposes.). Interim Community Services Director Chris Gonnella presented the rationale for AGENDA ITEM 2023-141 Appropriation Order in the amount of $65,000 for the Department of Community Services Golf Enterprise Fund Operating Expenses which was approved. Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Chair Lindsay Counsell provided the rationale for AGENDA ITEM 2023-142 Appropriation and Transfer Order in the amount of $195,000 from the Community Preservation Open Space/Recreation Funds for the completion of the Cape Cod Rail Trail Phase 3 Engineering Services. DPW Senior Project Manager Paul Graves provided a brief presentation. The item was approved.  CPC Chair Counsell provided the rationale and Mr. Graves returned to provide a brief presentation for AGENDA ITEM 2023-143 Appropriation and Transfer Order in the amount of $300,000 in Community Preservation Open Space/Recreation Funds for the purpose of funding Cape Cod Rail Trail, Phase 4 – Pre-25% Design Services. The item was approved. The PowerPoint for both Rail Trail items may be viewed here. CPC Chair Counsell provided the rationale for AGENDA ITEM 2023-144 Appropriation and Transfer Order in the amount of $300,000 from Community Preservation Funds for the restoration and preservation of the Unitarian Church of Barnstable, 3330 Main Street, Barnstable, MA.  On behalf of the Unitarian Church of Barnstable, Lynne Spencer of Spencer Preservation Group provided further information about the project.   The PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here. The item was approved.  Town Attorney Karen Nober assisted by Finance Director Milne provided the rationale which can be viewed here for AGENDA ITEM 2023-145 Order Amending Article II, Sewer Assessments, Chapter 184 Sewers and Water of the General Ordinances.  The item was approved. Under NEW BUSINESS President Levesque entertained a motion to refer Agenda Items 2023-073 through 2023-125, inclusive, and as written, to individual public hearings to be held on each item on April 27, 2023.  Those items are as follows: AGENDA ITEMS 2023-073 through 2023-125 Appropriation Order in the amount of $50,000 for the purpose of funding the final design of the Sandy Neck Facility Reconfiguration Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024- Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan;  2023-074 Appropriation and Transfer Order  in the amount of $195,000 for the purpose of funding the design of the Prince Cove Improvements Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan;  2023-075 Appropriation Order in the amount of $172,000 for the purpose of funding the design and permitting of the Barnstable Harbor Marina Revetment Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan;  2023-076 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $496,000 for the purpose of funding the Scudder’s Lane Boat Ramp Reconstruction Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-077 Appropriation Order in the amount of $90,000 for the purpose of funding the Little River Fish Passage Restoration Evaluation Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-078 Appropriation Order  in the amount of $225,000 for the purpose of funding the Rosa Lane Fish Passage Culvert Replacement Design Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-079 Appropriation Order in the amount of $125,000 for the purpose of funding the Lake Elizabeth Fish Run, Dam and Culvert Replacement Design Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-080 Appropriation Order in the amount of $295,000 for the purpose of funding the McCarthy’s Landing Dinghy Dock Construction Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-081 Appropriation and Transfer Order in the amount of $100,000 for the purpose of funding the design and permitting of the Cotuit Town Dock Improvements Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-082 Appropriation and Transfer Order in the amount of $50,000 for the purpose of funding the License Plate Reader Technology Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-083 Appropriation Order in the amount of $50,000 for the purpose of funding the Container Replacement Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-084 Appropriation, Transfer and Loan order in the amount of $1,750,000 for the purpose of funding the Pump Station Rehabilitation Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-085 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $4,500,000 for the purpose of funding the Water Pollution Control Facility Improvements Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-086 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $800,000 for the purpose of funding the Downtown Hyannis Force Main Rehabilitation Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-087 appropriation and loan order in the amount of $30,900,000 for the purpose of funding the park city wind sewer expansion construction project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-088 Appropriation Order in the amount of $1,500,000 for the purpose of funding the design and permitting of the Old Craigville Road Sewer Expansion Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-089 Appropriation Order in the amount of $350,000 for the purpose of funding the preliminary design and survey of the Long Beach Sewer Expansion Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-090 Appropriation Order in the amount of $650,000 for the purpose of funding the final design and permitting of the Old Yarmouth Road Sewer Expansion Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-091 Appropriation Order in the amount of $150,000 for the purpose of funding the Warren’s Cove Aquaculture Feasibility Study Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-092 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $1,500,000 for the purpose of funding the Pipe Replacement and Upgrade Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-093 Appropriation Order in the amount of $200,000 for the purpose of funding the Wells, Pump Stations, Treatment Plant Repair and Upgrade Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-094 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $927,000 for the purpose of funding the Mary Dunn 1 Water Storage Tank Rehabilitation Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-095 Appropriation, Transfer and Loan Order in the amount of $620,000 for the purpose of funding the New Well Exploration Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-096 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $1,000,000 for the purpose of funding the Mary Dunn 4 Well Building Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-097 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $3,000,000 for the purpose of funding the Mary Dunn Road Water Main Replacement Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-098 Appropriation Order the amount of $185,235 for the purpose of funding the Town Hall Roof Analysis and Repair Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-099 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $1,141,929 for the purpose of funding the School Administration Building Mechanical Cooling Upgrades Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-100 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $1,752,400 for the purpose of funding the Hyannis Youth & Community Center Mechanicals Improvements Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-101 Appropriation and Transfer Order in the amount of $400,000 for the purpose of funding the Department of Public Works Office Administration Building Expansion Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-102 Appropriation Order in the amount of $3,750,000 for the purpose of funding the Public Roads Maintenance Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-103 Appropriation and Transfer Order in the amount of $270,000 for the purpose of funding the Monitoring and Management Plan for Freshwater Ponds Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-104 Appropriation Order in the amount of $195,000 for the purpose of funding the Mystic Lake Alum Treatment Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-105 Appropriation Order in the amount of $95,000 for the purpose of funding the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-106 Appropriation Order in the amount of $175,000 for the purpose of funding the Raised Crosswalks in Cotuit Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan;  2023-107 Appropriation Order in the amount of $131,500 for the purpose of funding the design of the Hawes Avenue Culvert Reconstruction Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-108 Appropriation and Transfer Order in the amount of $492,270 for the purpose of funding the Hyannis Golf Course Turf Maintenance Equipment Replacement Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-109 Appropriation Order in the amount of $82,561 for the purpose of funding the Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds Irrigation Sprinkler Replacement Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-110 Appropriation Order in the amount of $161,757 for the purpose of funding the Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds Cart Barn Roof Replacement Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-111 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $400,000 for the purpose of funding the Cobb Astro Park Exterior Insulation Finish System (EIFS) Replacement Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-112 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $1,000,000 for the purpose of funding the Campus-Wide Door and Window Replacement Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-113 Appropriation Order the amount of $350,000 for the purpose of funding the Campus-Wide Paving and Sidewalk Repair Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-114 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $500,000 for the purpose of funding the Barnstable High School Culinary Arts Kitchen Improvements Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-115 Appropriation Order in the amount of $250,000 for the purpose of funding the Campus-Wide Mechanical Upgrades Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-116 Appropriation Order in the amount of $250,000 for the purpose of funding the Knight Hall Chiller Replacement Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-117 Appropriation Order in the amount of $1,000,000 for the purpose of funding the Barnstable High School Phase II Softball Field Upgrade Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-118 Appropriation and Transfer Order in the amount of $750,000 for the purpose of funding the West Villages Elementary Carpet Removal Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan;  2023-119 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $1,015,864 for the purpose of funding the HVAC upgrades to the Airport Terminal and Tower Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-120 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $525,000 for the purpose of funding the Master Plan Updates Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-121 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $689,000 for the purpose of funding the Security Camera Upgrades Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-122 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $383,000 for the purpose of funding the replacement of Snow Removal Equipment Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-123 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $1,120,580 for the purpose of funding the Snow Removal Equipment Storage Facility Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; 2023-124 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $505,000 for the purpose of funding the Electric Aircraft Support Vehicle and Charging Station Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan; and 2023-125 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $355,000 for the purpose of funding the Jet A Fuel Storage Tank Project as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024-Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Improvement Plan. President Levesque entertained a motion to suspend the Town Council Rules to vote on the first read of AGENDA ITEM 2023-146 Appointments to a Board/Committee/ Commission: Council on Aging: Elaine Ryan, as a regular member, to a term expiring 06/2025; Hyannis Main Street Waterfront Historic District Commission: Cornelius Cawley, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/2023; Mid Cape Cultural Council: Nicole LaCour as a regular member to a term expiring 06/2025; Recreation Commission: Sharon Brown, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/2024. The motion to suspend the rules passed and the item was approved. AGENDA ITEM 2023-147 Appropriation Order in the amount of $1,362,962 for new accessible playground equipment at the Osterville Recreation Playground located at 93 West Bay Road, Osterville was referred to a Public Hearing on April 27, 2023. Barnstable Police Chief Matthew Sonnabend provided the rationale for AGENDA ITEM 2023-148 Authorization to expend a Federal Fiscal Year 2022 Emergency Management Performance Grant in the amount of $20,150 from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency which was approved.  Planning & Development Director Elizabeth Jenkins presented AGENDA ITEM 2023-150 Authorization to expend a Fiscal Year 2023 Cultural District Grant in the amount of $2,500 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Festival & Project Grant Program for the Hyannis HyArts Cultural District which was approved. AGENDA ITEMS 2023-151 Supplemental Appropriation Order in the amount of $35,000 for the purpose of paying operating expenses of the Legal Department for the services of the law firm of Anderson & Kreiger, which is serving as outside counsel to the Town with respect to two lawsuits filed against the Town by the Conservation Law Foundation and 2023-152 Order authorizing an Intermunicipal Agreement between the Town of Barnstable and the Town of Plymouth for professional services relating to the decommissioning of the Pilgrim Nuclear Plant in Plymouth by Holtec International and Supplemental Appropriation Order in the amount of $23,667 for the purpose of paying the Town of Barnstable’s share of the costs of such professional services were referred to individual Public Hearings on April 27, 2023.  Director of Asset Management David Anthony, crediting the work of Sean Hogan, Environmental and Sustainability Manager, presented AGENDA ITEM 2023-153 Authorization to expend a Fiscal Year 2023 Grant in the amount of $27,333 from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to acquire three electric vehicle charging stations which was approved. The next regularly scheduled Town Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023. The public is able to view through Comcast Channel 18 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).