The May 15, 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 Clerk Ann Quirk took the Roll Call. Town Council President Craig Tamash chaired the meeting and called the meeting to order.

 

Town Councilor Betty Ludtke welcomed Airman second class Jan Kraemer to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Airman second class Kraemer enlisted in the United States Air Force on May 14, 1962 and entered 8 weeks of basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. After basic training, Jan was transferred to Greenville Air Force Base in Greenville, Mississippi for 12 weeks of Personnel Specialist training. While stationed in Greenville, the Cuban Missile Crisis occurred on October 14, 1962. This resulted in a thirteen day standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union. Military bases were on high alert and put on stand-by for a possible attack on the United States.  This was a very tense time for the country and for military personnel as well. President Kennedy negotiated with the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev that if they removed their missiles from Cuba, the United States would not invade Cuba. The Soviet Union agreed, and the invasion was avoided.

After her training was completed in November, Ms. Kraemer was assigned to Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, California. During her tour of duty in California, on November 22, 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated and the entire country was shut down. It was a very stressful time. Due to protocols that no longer exist, once she married and became pregnant she was forced to be honorably discharged from the Air Force. But, she has always maintained a high regard for all her fellow servicemen and women. Jan is the Secretary for the Barnstable Council on Aging and resides in Barnstable Village.

 

President Tamash asked all to remain standing for a Moment of Silence in honor of National Police Memorial Day which held annually on May 15th. Please keep in your thoughts the Barnstable Police Department’s Michael K. Aselton and Edward T.R. Landers who died in the line of duty. Sean Gannon and Brad Erickson who were Yarmouth Police Officers who died in the line of duty in the Town of Barnstable. Keep those officers in your thoughts and all who are near and dear to you.

 

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

 

President Tamash announced that written comment is always welcome, and the Town Council received a number of emails on a variety of issues and that those emails were shared with the full Council.

 

President Tamash announced that Town Manager Communications for the period of April 30, 2025 – May 13, 2025 had been pre-recorded by Town Manager Mark Ells 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 Council will commence a first reading of the proposed FY 2026 Operating Budget on May 15, 2025 and public hearings are scheduled for June 5, 2025. The proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget will be available on the Town’s webpage beginning May 14, 2025 with printed copies to Town Council shortly thereafter. For information on our fiscal year budgets, please view the Town’s Open Budget website at http://budget.townofbarnstable.us.
  2. Sean O’Brien, Barnstable Town Treasurer/Collector, announced that the Town received competitive bids from bond underwriters on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, for a $5.4M, 20-year general obligation bond issue. FHN Financial Capital Markets was the winning bidder on the Bonds with an average interest rate of 3.662%. The Town received a total of eight (8) bids on the Bonds ranging from 3.771% to the winning bid of 3.662%.  Bond proceeds will be used to finance various municipal and school projects.  Prior to the sale, S&P Global Ratings, a municipal bond credit rating agency, affirmed the Town’s AAA bond rating, the highest rating attainable. The rating agency cited the Town’s robust tax base growth and economic development, long history of surplus financial results and strong budgetary performance as positive credit factors.
  3. The Community Services Department reports that the Recreation Division has processed over 13,000 2025 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 24th. Beginning Saturday, June 21st, Town of Barnstable beaches, ponds, and lakes will be open seven days a week through Labor Day. All beaches will be open daily from 9AM through 9PM.  Similar to last season, we are experiencing significant lifeguard shortages again this summer, which will impact our ability to have lifeguard coverage at all locations. 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. Currently, we anticipate having full staff, including lifeguards, at Craigville Beach, Dowses Beach, Covell’s Beach, Kalmus Beach, and Veteran’s Beach. We are hopeful to potentially provide lifeguard staffing at additional locations. To assist the public with their summer plans, we will continue to communicate our staffing operations as we approach June 21st.
  4. The Council on Aging will now be managing the Senior/Veteran’s Tax Work Off Program for the Town. Open enrollment is from May 1st to June 30th and the program is capped at 20 participants. If more than 20 applications are received, participants will be chosen by lottery. To date we have a total of 13 applications, 2 of which are from Veterans. Interested residents can get program guidelines, information and applications on the Town’s website or by calling the Council on Aging at 508-862-4750.
  5. In February 2024, the Town Council appropriated funds to cover the costs of the creation of internal Police Department working groups. These working groups were tasked with developing new policies and procedures to replace the rules and regulations of Massachusetts Civil Service. The working groups have completed their task, and both Police Unions have ratified memorandums of agreement. The next step in the process is to seek a vote of the Town Council (first read schedule for May 15, 2025) since, under state law, the way to get out of civil service is the same way you got in. The regular police force of the Town was brought under civil service by vote of Town Meeting, which was the legislative body of the Town in 1937. As the Town Council is now the Town’s legislative body, a vote of the Council is needed to rescind the Town’s acceptance of the provisions of law that placed the police force under civil service.
  6. The Cape Cod Commission is updating the Regional Policy Plan (RPP), a document that provides regional planning policies, goals and objectives to guide development and protect the region’s resources. The Regional Policy Plan serves as a blueprint for Cape Cod’s future, outlining strategies to direct growth to appropriate locations, protect natural resources, and promote economic resilience. Since the first edition in 1991, the RPP has undergone several updates, including major revisions in 2009 and 2018. The current review and update process offers a chance to assess the impact of the significant changes in the region over the last five years, and ensure the Cape’s unique challenges such as housing, climate change, infrastructure, water quality and economic sustainability, among others—are effectively addressed and reflected in regional policies and goals. The Commission will be holding three in-person sub regional stakeholder meetings and one virtual meeting to gather feedback on proposed changes, additions, and recommendations of the new Regional Policy Plan. For further information please visit capecodcommission.org/rpp-update
  7. Kelly Collopy, Department of Public Works Communications Manager, provided an update on Water Resources including the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan. Ms. Collopy’s PowerPoint may be viewed here.
  8. Kate Maldonado, Senior Planner, provided an update on Greening the Gateway Cities Program: Trees Planted at the Dog Park; Tree City Designation: Arbor Day Ceremony at Centerville Elementary School; and the Local Comprehensive Plan. The items are listed below.

 

Greening the Gateway Cities Program: Trees Planted at the Dog Park

On Monday May 12th, the Town held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the planting of 18 trees at the Barnstable Dog Park. The planting was a collaborative effort between Planning & Development staff, the Town’s Tree Warden, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and AmeriCorps Cape Cod. The trees were secured through funding from the Town’s Greening the Gateway Cities Program. The objective of the grant program is to increase new tree canopy within the Town’s defined Planting Zone which includes the greater Hyannis area.

     All properties within the Planting Zone, including private property owners, are eligible to sign up for free trees. To date, a total of 250 trees have been planted including 62 on public property and 188 on private property. Benefits of increasing tree canopy include beautification of our neighborhoods, schools and public places, improved air quality, increased wildlife habitat, reduced noise, and increased shade which will maximize energy savings.

To learn more about this opportunity and to confirm if your property is within the Planting Zone, please visit GreeningHyannis.com. For specific questions please contact the project email: GreeningHyannis@town.barnstable.ma.us.

 

Tree City Designation: Arbor Day Ceremony at Centerville Elementary School

On Friday May, 2nd the Town held its annual Arbor Day celebration at the Centerville Elementary School among Town Council leadership, Planning & Development staff, the Town’s Tree Warden and students and staff. Each Spring, the Town holds an Arbor Day celebration to maintain Barnstable’s designation as a Tree City. The school campus was improved with a Dogwood tree near the main entrance which will produce white flowers every spring. Together, students, staff and visitors of the school can watch as the tree grows stronger and taller each year offering shade and seasonal color for generations to enjoy. Special thank you to Town Council President, Craig Tamash, and Vice President, Kris Clark for participating in the Arbor Day Ceremony.

 

Local Comprehensive Plan

The Local Comprehensive Planning Committee will hold their next meeting Tuesday May 20th in person at Town Hall within the Hearing Room. The Committee will review and discuss public comments received for the draft Local Comprehensive Plan. Ultimately, the Committee will vote on each of the chapters within the Local Comprehensive Plan and then the final Plan will be presented to the Planning Board and Town Council.

If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact Kate Maldonado, Senior Planner, by email at Kaitlyn.maldonado@town.barnstable.ma.us or by phone at 508-862-4791. To stay up to date on upcoming meetings and events, and to learn more about how to get involved, please visit BarnstableLCP.com.

 

President Tamash invited Planning & Development Director Jim Kupfer to provide more information about the Greening Hyannis program. 250 trees have been planted and 250 more trees are scheduled to be planted in the near future.

 

President Tamash invited Town Clerk Ann Quirk to announce that the nomination papers for the even number Town Council Precincts, School Committee, and Housing Authority will be available on Friday, May 16, 2025.

 

Vice President Kris Clark read a resolve on behalf of her constituent Liz Leduc who is impacted by ALS requested that the Town Council recognize May 2025 as ALS Awareness Month. ALS, also known as Lou Gherig’s disease, is a devastating and fatal neurodegenerative condition for which there is no cure. We stand with the ALS Community by increasing awareness, prioritizing research funding, and securing additional caregiver support in the ALS Awareness Proclamation.

 

The Council voted to Act on Public Session Minutes: May 1, 2025.

 

Communications from elected officials, boards, committees, and staff, commission reports, correspondence and announcements.

 

Presentations from Ad Hoc Committees: Discussion with Council regarding next steps

The Committee’s PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here.

 

Assistant Town Manager Andy Clyburn assisted in responding to Councilor questions.

 

Orders of the Day.

 

Councilors Paul Neary and Felicia Penn have joined the meeting via Zoom and that all votes will be by roll call.

 

President Tamash took a number of items out of order. Agenda Chaptering not available for those items in RED.

 

AGENDA ITEM 2025-187 Order to petition the General Court of the Commonwealth to enact Special Legislation authorizing the Town to use red lights on certain emergency response vehicles.

Presented by Assistant Town Manager Andy Clyburn. Mr. Clyburn announced that Marine & Environmental Affairs Director Derek Lawson, Harbormaster Brian Taylor, and First Assistant Town Attorney Tom LaRosa were on hand to answer questions. The item was approved.

 

CONSENT AGENDA:

Proposed Vote: To refer Items 2025-157 through 2025-179, as written, to individual public hearings to be held on each item at the Town Council meeting on June 05, 2025.

AGENDA ITEMS 2025-157Appropriation Order in the amount of $93,622,700 For the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Barnstable Public School Department Budget; 2025-158 Appropriation Order in the amount of $12,508,718 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Airport Enterprise Fund Budget;

2025-159 Appropriation Order in the amount of $19,774,938 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Barnstable Police Department Budget; 2025-160 Appropriation Order in the amount of $2,416,092 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Planning and Development Department Budget; 2025-161 Appropriation Order in the amount of $2,933,824 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Community Services Department General Fund Budget; 2025-162 Appropriation Order in the amount of $3,903,566 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Golf Course Enterprise Fund Budget; 2025-163 Appropriation Order in the amount of $4,045,476 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Hyannis Youth and Community Center Enterprise Fund Budget; 2025-164 Appropriation Order in the amount of 1,697,514 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Marine & Environmental Affairs Department General Fund Budget; 2025-165 Appropriation Order in the amount of $803,433 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Marina Enterprise Fund Budget; 2025-166 Appropriation Order in the amount of $1,165,364 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Sandy Neck Park Enterprise Fund Budget; 2025-167 Appropriation Order in the amount of $2,800,183 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Inspectional Services Department Budget; 2025-168 Appropriation Order in the amount of $12,264,116 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Public Works General Fund Budget; 2025-169 Appropriation Order in the amount of $4,434,258 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Public Works Solid Waste Enterprise Fund Budget; 2025-170 Appropriation Order in the amount of $11,519,790 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Public Works Water Pollution Control Enterprise Fund Budget; 2025-171 Appropriation Order in the amount of $9,553,729 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Public Works Water Supply Enterprise Fund Budget; 2025-172 Order in the amount of $269,870 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Town Council Budget; 2025-173 Appropriation Order in the amount of $1,400,109 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Town Manager Budget; 2025-174 Appropriation Order in the amount of $981,237 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Public, Education & Government (PEG) Access Channels Enterprise Fund Budget; 2025-175 Appropriation Order in the amount of $8,727,744 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Administrative Services Department Budget; 2025-176 Appropriation Order in the amount of $250,000 for the purpose of funding the Town Council’s Fiscal Year 2026 Reserve Fund; 2025-177 Appropriation Order in the amount of $59,717,232 for the purpose of funding the Town’s Fiscal Year 2026 Other Requirements Budget; 2025-178 Appropriation Order in the amount of $5,299,662 for the Community Preservation Fund Program set-asides and administrative expenses; and 2025-179 Appropriation Order in the amount of $91,340 for the purpose of paying the Fiscal Year 2026 Community Preservation Fund Debt Service Requirement were referred to individual Public Hearings on 06/05/2025.

 

AGENDA ITEM 2025-184 Appropriation Order in the amount of $2,900,000 for preservation and restoration work at the Hyannis Armory located at 225 South Street in Hyannis was referred to a Public Hearing on 06/05/2025.

 

AGENDA ITEM 2025-185 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $1,404,000 for the purpose of funding the design and construction of aircraft hardstands on the terminal apron at the Cape Cod Gateway Airport was referred to a Public Hearing on 06/05/2025.

 

AGENDA ITEM 2025-180 Fiscal Year 2026 Spending Limitations: Senior Services Classroom Education Fund – $100,000; Recreation Program Fund – $325,000; Shellfish Propagation Fund – $200,000; Consumer Protection Fund – $600,000; Geographical Information Technology Fund – $10,000; Arts and Culture Program Fund – $50,000; Asset Management Fund – $500,000 was referred to a Second Reading 06/05/2025.

 

AGENDA ITEM 2025-186 Order Revoking the Town’s Acceptance of the Provisions of Chapter 31 of the General Laws (Civil Service Law) as to the Police Department was referred to a Second Reading 06/05/2025.

 

Presentation from Mark Milne, Director of Finance, Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget

Mr. Milne’s PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here.

Mr. Milne thanked the Comprehensive Financial Advisory Committee and the Operating Budget Subcommittee (Lillian Woo, Chris Lauzon, Thomas Keane, and Chris King) for the time and effort they put into their report. It will be finalized the Tuesday after Memorial Day and forwarded to the full Town Council prior to the next meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS

AGENDA ITEM 2025-060 Amending the Code of the Town of Barnstable, Part I General Ordinances, Chapter 240 Zoning to revise the definition of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and to revise use and dimensional requirements, floor area definition, and clarify parking restrictions and no owner-occupancy requirement for ADU’s. A Public Hearing was held.

Presented by Planning & Development Director Jim Kupfer, Town Attorney Karen Nober, and First Assistant Town Attorney Tom LaRosa. The item as amended was approved.

Mr. Kupfer’s PowerPoint Presentation may be viewed here.

Proposed Amendments to Town Council Item No. 2025-060 may be viewed here. The Council voted for the following Amendments: 1A, 2A,3, 4B, 5, 6, and 7.

 

AGENDA ITEM 2025-062 Amending the Code of the Town of Barnstable, Part I General Ordinances, Chapter 240 Zoning by repealing the Zoning Overlay District known as the “Registered Recreational Marijuana Cultivators, Research Facilities, and Testing Laboratories Zoning Overlay District” and creating a new Overlay District known as the “Cannabis Overlay District” and expanding the existing Medical Marijuana Overlay District, in the form as submitted by petition of ten registered voters. The Public Hearing was opened and continued to 7/17/2025.

 

AGENDA ITEM 2025-143 Order approving amendments to the Town Council Rules was continued to 7/17/2025.

 

AGENDA ITEM 2025-148 Authorization of a Housing Development Incentive Program Tax Increment Exemption Agreement between the Town of Barnstable and Nile Morin, Inc for 9 new Market Rate Residential Rental Units located at 50 Main Street, Hyannis, MA.

Presented by Planning & Development Director Jim Kupfer. Nile Morin answered Town Councilor questions. The item was approved.

 

AGENDA ITEM 2025-149 Authorization of a Housing Development Program Tax Increment Exemption Agreement between the Town of Barnstable and 94 Stevens Street, LLC for 36 new Market Rate Residential Rental Units located at located at 94 Stevens Street, Hyannis, MA.

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

 

The next regularly scheduled Town Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025. 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).