The December 11, 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. 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. Town Council President Craig Tamash chaired the meeting and called the meeting to order. President Tamash announced that Councilors Felicia Penn and Gordon Starr 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 welcomed Petty Officer Paul O’Connell to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Petty Officer Paul O’Connell entered boot camp in April of 1973. It was the first time he had ever been on an airplane and the first time ever out of Massachusetts. He really didn’t know what to expect, but finished boot camp in July. It was tough and a lot of his peers did not make it through. When Paul emerged after ten weeks of training, he had more respect than he did when he went in. He was proud to put that uniform on and be a sailor of the United States Navy. His first year was spent in the Philadelphia shipyard on the USS Albany completing a major overhaul. Paul was what they called a “deck ape” as the majority of his work was done on deck or hanging from a rope chair, painting – somewhere. After the USS Albany was ready to go, Paul went to sea as a Boatswains mate. Boatswains mates are the backbone of the US Navy. At sea, he took care of anchoring, replenishing supplies while underway, refueling when underway, and as always – painting. These were the jobs that boatswains mates did. When the ship was in ports where it could not tie up, boatswain mates took people going on liberty back and forth by boat. Fun asks Paul? Not. Paul made Petty Officer, which is an enlisted E-4 rank, in 2 1/2 years. He, with three to four other petty officers, were then put in charge of 100 sailors, known as the deck crew. Halfway through his three years on the USS Albany, he was promoted to the Admiral’s boat crew as the admiral of the sixth fleet was on his ship for 6 months. The 6th fleet is responsible for operations in Europe and Africa and the USS Albany served as the flagship for the fleet. At the end of his three years on the Albany, he re-enlisted for another four years. In 1976, Paul began two years of shore duty with a River squadron. During this time, he supported underwater demolition team and seal team missions, as well as rescue missions for downed pilots in addition to other River warfare activities. Paul was promoted to Boatswain’s Mate, Second Class, while in the riverboat squadron. When you make rank in a riverboat squadron, the two most senior petty officers throw you in a river as an initiation. Fun asks Paul? Not!! Leaving the riverboats behind, Paul came aboard the U.S.S. Wainwright for two years. His duties were similar to those aboard the Albany with one exception. He recalls coming back from a one month cruise with a skeleton crew on board. They were told to head back out to sea as a hurricane suddenly changed course and was heading for South Carolina. Paul recalls waves coming up and over the bridge of the boat, at least 20 foot waves. He describes it as no picnic out there!

Paul did get to go through the Panama Canal and that was awesome. He was on a Mediterranean cruise when his now seven-year enlistment in the navy came to an end. The navy saw fit to send him back home, not by sea but by air. He crossed the Atlantic Ocean in a C-130 turbo-prop cargo plane. The trip took 12 hours. His seat was right next to the head. Paul said that was no fun at all. Petty Officer O’Connell says that’s his story and he is sticking to it – and he wouldn’t have changed a thing.

 

President Tamash asked all to remain standing for a Moment of Silence for all who have served our country.

 

Next was Public Comment which was followed by Council Response to Public Comment.

 

President Tamash announced that Town Manager Communications for the period of December 3 – December 9, 2025 had been pre-recorded 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:

  1. The Town Manager in coordination with the Finance Department continues to follow the budget action calendar for the FY 2027 operating and capital budgets. Town Council has tentatively scheduled a budget workshop on January 8, 2026, to discuss fiscal policy and revenue strategy. As a reminder the Town Manager Calendar Year Fee Hearing was held on November 13, 2025. The proposed fees have been taken under advisement for 30 days during which time additional public comments will be accepted for consideration. Deadline for Public Comments is 4:00 PM on Monday, December 15, 2025. For information on our fiscal year budgets, please view the Town’s Open Budget website at http://budget.townofbarnstable.us.
  2. The Cape & Islands Bridges Coalition (CIBC) has its next quarterly meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 9th from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.  The agenda includes welcoming of the newly appointed Undersecretary of Transportation for Massachusetts Jonathan Gulliver as the guest speaker. Undersecretary Gulliver has been a strong supporter of the Cape Cod Bridges Replacement project in his prior role as MassDOT Highways Administrator, and his visit promises to be a great opportunity for dialogue with CIBC members. Additionally, CIBC will receive a quarterly project update from Luisa Paiewonsky, Executive Director of Megaprojects Delivery with MassDOT. The state recently filed the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for replacement of the Cape Cod Bridges under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Luisa will share more about this filing and its significance for the overall bridge replacement effort. For those interested, you can visit an interactive summary site to review the draft EIS and submit comments (or submit comments through the online public comment form).
  3. On November 18, 2025, I reported that the Town had received a copy of a report submitted to Town Council regarding a Save Greater Dowses Beach EMF monitoring project. The report is under review by staff. The report was sent to Vineyard Wind and Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper for review and appropriate action. Additionally, I have sent multiple communications to Secretary Tepper and the Energy Facilities Siting Board regarding the report and prior request for action relevant to the safety and compliance of the Vineyard Wind project as the regulatory oversight falls to the State and Federal government in this matter. I communicated with the Secretary’s office earlier today regarding the status of a response to my requests for verification of safety and compliance of the Vineyard Wind Project. We will keep you advised of any additional information resulting from these requests as it becomes available.
  4. On December 3, 2025, I sent a letter to Governor Healey expressing our concern regarding the reported absence of funding for the Massachusetts Dredging Program in the FY2027 state budget proposal (attached). We urged the Governor to prioritize funding for the Massachusetts Dredging Program in FY2027.
  5. Town Clerk Ann Quirk has announced that the annual mailing containing the Street Listing/Census form for all town residents is scheduled to be mailed out after Christmas.
  6. We’re following up on the speed limit concern brought forward at the recent Town Council meeting. Council agreed to withdraw the initial request so Town staff could take a more comprehensive, collaborative look at the issue. The Department of Public Works is convening a working group that will include representatives from DPW, the Planning Department, and the Barnstable Police Department. Together, they’ll review current speed limits, safety data, and opportunities for improvement town wide. It’s important to note that the Town and DPW already manages and participates in a number of road safety programs and grant-funded initiatives—each aimed at making our streets safer for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. These include:
  • The Complete Streets Program;
  • The Local Bottleneck Reduction Program;
  • The Safe Streets and Roads for All initiative;
  • Regular road safety audits, corridor studies, and pedestrian safety improvement projects…to name a few.

These efforts will help inform our next steps on speed management. Mass General Law allows municipalities to establish 20 MPH Safety Zones in areas like village centers. This is a tool we can use immediately, and DPW will be expediting the identification and establishment of these zones to enhance safety in our most walkable areas. Our goal is to take a thoughtful, data-driven approach that improves roadway safety across Barnstable while ensuring consistency, clarity, and community benefit.

  1. Kelly Collopy, Communications Manager for the Public Works Department, provided an update on Water Resource Management planning, including the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan.
  1. Andy Clyburn, Assistant Town Manager, provided an Enforcement Update.

 

Act on Public Session Minutes: December 4, 2025

 

COMMUNICATIONS – from elected officials, boards, committees, and staff, commission reports, correspondence and announcements

Legislative Update from Senator Julian Cyr

 

Opioid Settlement Funds Grant Recipients Updates
ROAR – Ride for Opioid Addiction Recovery, a Donor Advised Fund of the Cape Cod Foundation
Real Eyes Truth, Inc.
Harbor Health Services, Inc.

 

President Tamash mentioned that Councilors will be receiving several emails over the next few days regarding their preferences for liaison work to the various committees they may be interested in serving on.

 

ORDERS OF THE DAY

 

OLD BUSINESS

AGENDA ITEM 2026-064 Amending the Code of the Town of Barnstable, Part I General Ordinances, Chapter 170 Rental Properties, to Increase the Rental Registration Fee.

MOTION was to amend the fee to $125 per unit did not pass.

Presented by Jeff Carter, Deputy Director of Inspectional Services. Inspectional Services Director Brian Florence; Tom McKean, Health Division Director; and Gareth Markwell, Deputy Finance Director, were also on hand to respond to Councilor questions. The item was approved.

 

AGENDA ITEM 2026-068 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $350,000 for a feasibility study and schematic design for the Roof Replacement Project at Barnstable High School.

Presented by Barnstable Public Schools Superintendent Sara Ahern who was joined by Doug Boulanger, Director of Facilities, and Chris Dwelley, Deputy Finance Director for School Operations. The item was approved.

 

AGENDA ITEM 2026-069 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $350,000 for a feasibility study and schematic design for the Roof Replacement Project at Barnstable Intermediate School.

Presented by Barnstable Public Schools Superintendent Sara Ahern who was joined by Doug Boulanger, Director of Facilities, and Chris Dwelley, Deputy Finance Director for School Operations. The item was approved.

 

AGENDA ITEM 2026-070 Resolve appointing Paula Hersey to the Regional District School Committee for the Cape Cod Regional Technical High School District.

Presented by Town Manager Mark Ells and the Town of Barnstable’s representative to Cape Cod Regional Technical High School District Michael White. The item was approved.

 

NEW BUSINESS

AGENDA ITEM 2026-071 Authorization to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2026 State Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $33,134 from the Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research.

Presented by Barnstable Police Chief Jean Challies. The item was approved.

 

President Tamash took Agenda Item 2026-076 out of order.

AGENDA ITEM 2026-076 Authorization to Contract for and Expend a Fiscal Year 2026 State 911 Department Training Grant award in the amount of $23,980.94 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 2026-072 Order authorizing the grant of an easement for electric facilities on Town-owned land at 367 Main Street in Hyannis and AGENDA ITEM 2026-075 Order authorizing the taking of road easements by eminent domain for sewer and water purposes over certain private roads in Centerville and Hyannis known as: Angus Way, Captain Bellamy Lane, Center Lane, Conners Road, Elliott Street, Jamie Marie Way, Kitsy Lane, Li’l Lane, Longview Drive, Loomis Lane, Mark’s Path, Old Farm Road, Old Strawberry Hill Road and Richard’s Lane were referred to Second Readings on 01/08/2026.

 

AGENDA ITEM 2026-074 Appropriation Order in the amount of $4,200 In Community Preservation Act Funds for the purchase and installation of 30 hiking trail signs and AGENDA ITEM 2026-077 Appropriation Order in the amount of $48,250 for burial equipment for the Department of Public Works Cemetery Program were referred to individual Public Hearings on 01/08/2026.

 

AGENDA ITEM 2026-073 Authorization to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2026 Destination Development Capital Grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Economic Development, Office of Travel and Tourism in the amount of $15,000 for Hyannis wayfinding and branding.

Presented by Planning & Development Director Jim Kupfer. The item was approved.

 

Approval of Town Council Calendar of Meetings for 2025

 

The next regularly scheduled Town Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 8, 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:  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).