Town Council Meeting – Thursday, May 14, 2026
The May 14, 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. Assistant Town Clerk Janet Murphy took the Roll Call.
Town Councilor Betty Ludtke introduced Army Captain Naomi Czupryna to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Naomi Czupryna was born and raised Naomi Dotson in Dayton, Tennessee, where she was a poor kid, a nerd, and a fly on the wall in many situations. On graduating college from Middle Tennessee State University in May 2007 with a business degree, she commissioned into the Army. Naomi deployed to Baghdad, Iraq twice. The first time as a Distribution Platoon Leader where she made daily trips to multiple Joint Security Stations in the Ghazaliya district. The second, as a Pre-Career Course Company Commander in charge of supporting Forward Operating Base Loyalty, with a battalion of Soldiers and hundreds of attachments, just south of Sadr City. It was on this deployment, during the early morning hours of June 6th, 2011, that she would wake up to ground shaking explosions and the death of several Soldiers. Naomi was evacuated out on a Black Hawk with broken ribs, a broken hand, and a bulging disc in her cervical spine. And today she considers herself lucky and blessed to be here today. But it was a long road to be happy again. After years of angry outbursts, survivor’s guilt, anxiety, and depression, she realized she needed to do something about it all. One day Naomi picked up a paintbrush and found joy in creating something with her hands. Now, she’s showcased her work locally on Cape Cod in local art center juried shows and with the Survivor’s Art Project in Kismet Gallery in Boston, MA, and internationally in galleries such as Thomson Gallery in Switzerland and Nicoleta Gallery in Berlin, Germany, and the Art Expo in Paris 2024. Most recently she graduated from the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod Capacity Building Cohort of 2026 and plans to help other Veterans through the creative process.
President Tamash asked all to remain standing for a Moment of Silence to honor all who have died in service to our nation and to all you hold dear.
President Tamash announced that Councilors John Crow and Felicia Penn are participating remotely this evening.
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 30 through May 12, 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 remain on schedule with the budget action calendar. The Fiscal Year 2027 proposed operating budget will be released on Wednesday, May 13th by the end of the working day. The proposed General Fund budget is increasing $8,391,161 to $233,618,861, or 3.73% over the Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget. The municipal operations budget is increasing $1,113,301 or 2.1%; the school operations budget is increasing $2,813,431 or 3%, and other requirements are increasing $4,464,420, or 5.7%. In addition, the Fiscal Year 2027 budget includes funding for a snow and ice deficit occurring in 2026 of $3.2 million. The town’s nine enterprise fund budgets are collectively increasing $5,847,864 to $58,835,040, or 11%. Much of the increase in the enterprise fund budgets is due to an increase in debt service payments for loans issued to finance water and sewer infrastructure projects. Hard copies on the budget document will be provided to the Town Council prior to the public hearings on the operating budget which are scheduled to begin at the June 11, 2026 Town Council meeting. The first reading of the operating budget appropriation orders will take place at the May 28, 2026 Town Council meeting. The Fiscal Year 2027 Capital Improvement Plan is available on the Town’s website at the link provided. For information on our fiscal year budgets, please view the Town’s Open Budget website at http://budget.townofbarnstable.us.
- At the April 29, 2026 Town Council meeting, I was asked to prepare and send a letter to the Senate and Cape Delegation stating support from the Town of Barnstable for funding to continue PFAS research by Silent Spring Institute in Hyannis. The letter was sent on May 7, 2026. On May 11, 2026, Senator Cyr’s office communicated with us the follow via email: “On behalf of Senator Cyr, thank you for sharing Mr. Ells letter with our office. Senator Cyr has filed Amendment 1108, PFAS Exposure Study, to appropriate $25,000 to Silent Spring Institute for the Hyannis study.” We will keep you advised of progress on this amendment.
- The Executive Committee of the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund Management Board met regarding the current version of the Environmental Bond Bill (S.3064 An Act to Build Resilience for Massachusetts Communities). We have previously written to express our strong support for the $450 million bonding authorization for clean drinking water and wastewater infrastructure included in the bill. State Revolving Fund (SRF) capacity to support projects through the Clean Water Intended Use Plan is a significant concern on Cape Cod as it will drastically impact the ability of our communities to implement critical water quality projects and the proposed authorization will ensure communities across the Commonwealth can continue to rely on SRF monies. The current version of the bill provides preferential treatment for all discretionary or competitive grant programs made available through the bill – one of which is the Clean Water SRF program – to municipalities that have zoning or land use policies that encourage the production of housing sufficient to meet Commonwealth housing goals (see section 108, lines 3516 through 3529), such as wastewater and wetlands standards that do not exceed state health or environmental standards. This is problematic. As the Legislature has long recognized through numerous special acts over the last decade, the ecological conditions unique to Cape Cod require special consideration. Local standards that protect water resources and the environment are necessary due to the unique hydrogeology of Cape Cod and should not be seen as tools that discourage housing production. I will keep you advised as the Environmental Bond Bill progresses toward approval.
- Beach/Ways to Water Parking Permit Update
The Recreation Division has processed over 13,000 Resident Parking Permits to date. We encourage all residents to apply as soon as they can to avoid delays. Beach Parking Permit Applications can be filled out: online, mailed in, or dropped off at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center, 141 Bassett Lane, Hyannis. If you need assistance, please contact the Parking Permit Hotline at 508-790-6345 x145. Town of Barnstable staff will begin verifying permits at beach parking lots starting Saturday, May 23rd.
- Beach Operations Update
Beginning on Friday, June 19th, the Town of Barnstable will have gate attendants, supervisors and limited lifeguards at our beaches, ponds, and lakes. Beaches will be open seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM through Labor Day.
On Friday, June 26th, all beaches will be without lifeguard coverage as our Aquatics Staff will be participating in joint training exercises with our local Fire Departments. This training will take place at Craigville Beach and parking in the East Lot will be restricted until 12:30 PM.
Again this season we have faced challenges recruiting aquatic staff, specifically lifeguards. We expect significant lifeguard shortages again this summer, which will impact our ability to have coverage at all locations. Currently, we anticipate having full staff, including lifeguards, starting on Saturday, June 27th, at Craigville Beach, Dowses Beach, Covell’s Beach, Kalmus Beach, and Veteran’s Beach. To assist the public with their summer plans, we will continue to communicate our staffing operations.
Ensuring public safety is our top priority. The Recreation Division is working to provide lifeguard staff at as many sites as possible. However, we advise the public that due to limited staffing, some sites may not have lifeguard coverage and swimmers will be at their own risk.
- Hyannis Youth & Community Center
The Hyannis Youth & Community Center (HYCC) will implement new summer weekend hours. Beginning on Saturday, June 27th, through Sunday, September 6th, the HYCC will be open to the public from noon until 8:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. The facility will be open Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
- We are pleased to announce that Sandy Neck Beach Park is open, though some construction is still underway. Please stay alert and be mindful while driving throughout the park. The ORV beach is open daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, the speed limit is strictly 5 MPH. Campfires are permitted starting at 7:00 PM or at sunset, whichever comes first. The gatehouse is open daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. ORV permits are available through our online system and must be picked up at the gatehouse. A handicap-accessible ramp is located at the far (east) end of the lower parking lot. The Town of Barnstable also invites you to celebrate our community, our coastline, and our shared commitment to the environment with a Grand Re-Opening Celebration on Thursday May 21st from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM with a Ribbon Cutting at 11:00 AM. There will be music, and refreshments will be offered by the Curb Café. We’re excited to welcome everyone back!
- This weekend the Town’s Open Space Committee will be hosting their Spring Walking Weekend. As a part of this annual event that celebrates the Town’s many beautiful nature walks, the committee will be offering a new guided walk along the Town’s recently completed multi-use path in Hyannis on Ocean Street to Kalmus Beach. This walk will commence on Friday, May 15th at 10:00 AM with participants meeting at the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum.
Town Manager Mark Ells responded to Councilor questions.
Act on Public Session Minutes: April 30, 2026
MOTION to correct minutes of April 16, 2026 re: Article 2026-139 required 2/3 vote of full council and not 2/3 vote of councilors present. It was stated that the article passed, but it did not. The motion was approved.
COMMUNICATIONS – from elected officials, boards, committees, and staff, commission reports, correspondence and announcements
Waterways Committee Update
Paul Everson, Chair
SETTING SPEED LIMITS IN BARNSTABLE Workshop
Daniel W. Santos, PhD, P.E., Director of Public Works
Griffin Beaudoin, P.E., Town Engineer
James Kupfer, Director, Planning and Development
Jean Challies, Chief, Barnstable Police Department
Sgt. Troy Perry, Traffic Division, Barnstable Police Department
The PowerPoint Setting Speed Limits presentation may be viewed here.
OLD BUSINESS
AGENDA ITEM 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.
Presented by Sara Ahern, Barnstable Public Schools Superintendent. The Item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-168 Appropriation Order in the amount of $320,000 for the purpose of funding outside counsel expenses of the Legal Department.
Presented by Town Attorney Karen Nober. The item was approved.
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.
Presented by Jim Kupfer, Planning and Development Director. Dennis & Deborah Mason, owners of Seashore Homes, Inc., provided additional information. The item was approved.
NEW BUSINESS
Proposed Votes:
To refer Items 2026-170; 2026-171 and 2026-173, as written, to Second Readings at the Town Council meeting scheduled on May 28, 2026 and To refer Items 2026-174 and 2026-200 to individual Public Hearings at the Town Council meeting on May 28, 2026.
AGENDA ITEMS 2026-170 Appointments to a Board/Committee/Commission: Comprehensive Financial Advisory Committee: John Virgona, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2028; Historical Commission: Megan Farrington Greenwell, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2028; Housing Committee: Meaghan Mort, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Infrastructure and Energy Committee: Jignesh Amin, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2028; 2026-171 Reappointments to a Board/Committee/Commission: Hyannis Main Street Waterfront Historic District Commission: Laura Cronin, as a regular member, to a term expiring 06/30/2028; Steamship Authority Port Council: Greg Egan, as a Town of Barnstable Representative member, to a term expiring 12/30/2028; and 2026-173 Order authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Town of Barnstable and Barnstable County for Shared Regional Housing Services were referred to Second Readings. AGENDA ITEMS 2026-174 Appropriation Order in the amount of $10,000 in Community Preservation Historic Preservation Funds for preservation work at the Rothwell Icehouse at the Dottridge Homestead, located at 1148 Main Street, Cotuit; and 2026-200 Amending the Code of the Town of Barnstable, Part I General Ordinances, Chapter 86 Funds, Article III Revolving Funds to add a Revolving Fund for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and to modify the Asset Management Fund were referred to individual Public Hearings.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-172 Resolve approving Mark S. Ells’s outside employment with Cape Cod Community College.
Presented by Town Manager Mark Ells. The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-199 Transfer Order in the amount of $160,500 for the purpose of funding unanticipated operating expenditures in the Department of Public Works.
Presented by Daniel Santos, PhD, Director of Public Works. Finance Director Mark Milne provided additional information. The item was approved.
The next regularly scheduled Town Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 28, 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).
