Town Council Meeting – Thursday, October 1, 2026
The October 1, 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.
President Tamash lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Tamash asked all to remain standing for a Moment of Silence dedicated to Councilor John Crow who passed away on September 9, 2026. John moved to Osterville in 1999 and knew he’d found home. Through his work with FedEx, he gained a unique perspective on our community – he was known as “our FedEx guy” and truly had his finger on the pulse of Osterville. He soon became involved with local issues – from the Darby property to the fate of the Osterville Bay School – which led him to the Osterville Village Association, where he served as Membership Chair, Vice President, and President. He caried that dedication and passion for community to the Town Council when elected in 2023. He had no political ambition. For him, a seat on the Council was about others. He called the days he spent door knocking “Great!” He took copious notes of public comment. He was especially grateful for citizens and citizen groups, formal and informal, who worked to bring facts forward. Whether serving on the Zoning Ad Hoc Committee, Appointments Committee, or preparing for council meetings, John put his heart and soul into it. You always knew where you stood with John. Straight talk was his signature. Whether you agreed with him or not, he was genuine in his beliefs, and wanted to know where you stood and why. If you spent time talking to John about town matters, you’d quickly hear about Hyannis as well. He was proud to have worked on the Problem Properties Ordinance years ago that originated out of Hyannis neighborhood concerns. He expressed concern about overdevelopment, and preservation of the aesthetic that has drawn visitors over the generations. He’d ask in his blunt way, “Why develop ugly?” In his final weeks, trips to “see the dirt move,” finally, at the Bay School playground was the only place he asked to go. Having a place for locals and visitors of all generations to gather mattered to him. He was grateful to the town employees who thoughtfully guided the details and helped bring it to reality. Our hearts and prayers go out to Heather, his brothers Mark and David, and his lifelong friends who were like family, and all who loved him. He will be missed.
Next was Public Comment.
Council Response to Public Comment
Planning & Development Director Jim Kupfer responded to Councilors’ questions.
President Tamash announced that Town Manager Mark Ells’s Town Manager Communications for the period of September 16, 2026 through September 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:
- The Town Manager has issued instructions to municipal departments for FY 2028 operating and capital budgets, and the budget action calendar. We are proceeding as outlined in the budget calendar. The calendar year rate hearings for the Town Manager-approved fees are scheduled for mid-November. Workshops with Town Council are anticipated in future months, commencing in October, to discuss the establishment of a Water Infrastructure Investment Fund, Town Council-approved fees, Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements, and asset management as we continue to discuss fiscal policy and revenue strategy. For information on our fiscal year budgets, please view the Town’s Open Budget website at http://budget.townofbarnstable.us.
- Recently I have received questions from the public regarding why we must proceed with the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP). Those questions appear to be based on the mistaken notion that the pending lawsuit by the Conservation Law Foundation is the root cause of the need to implement the CWMP. It is not. The Town of Barnstable is implementing the CWMP to comply with regulatory requirements to reduce nutrient loading in our coastal embayments. The CWMP is a regulatory requirement to meet water quality standards under the federal Clean Water Act (Act). Due to excessive nitrogen pollution, many of Barnstable’s coastal embayments are considered “impaired waters” in violation of water quality standards under the Act. Regulatory thresholds for acceptable levels of nitrogen in these waters, referred to as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), have been certified by federal and state environmental agencies. The CWMP provides a road map for meeting the TMDLs and restoring the health of our precious coastal waters. Barnstable and other towns on Cape Cod are the designated Waste Treatment Management Agencies responsible for planning for and implementing wastewater infrastructure and water quality improvement projects designed to meet TMDLs. This designation is codified under the Cape Cod Area Wide Water Quality Management Plan Update (208 Plan Update), developed pursuant to Section 208 of the Clean Water Act, which provides a framework to restore embayment water quality on Cape Cod. The primary source of nitrogen loading is septic systems.
- I have also been asked if the success or failure to secure additional revenue will determine whether the CWMP will proceed. Implementation of the CWMP is a regulatory requirement, and we must proceed with the CWMP to remain compliant with those regulations. The Town Council and Town Management will continue to discuss funding options to allow the Town to remain compliant. Most recently the Town Council was provided a comparison of two potential revenue-generating options for Town Council consideration. They were a Water Infrastructure Investment Fund and a debt exclusion. The Town Council voted to approve placing a debt exclusion vote on the ballot at a special election to be held on May 4, 2027. The debt exclusion question will state: “Shall the Town of Barnstable be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued for the purpose of paying costs of the town’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan which will expand the public sewer collection system including the projects referred to as the Bearse’s Way Sewer Expansion, Great Marsh Road Sewer Expansion, Huckins Neck Sewer Expansion, Long Beach Area Sewer Expansion, Old Craigville Road Sewer Expansion, Old Yarmouth Road Sewer Expansion, Osterville Woods Sewer Expansion, and the Prince Cove Sewer Expansion?” We anticipate monthly discussions with Town Council and our community as we proceed toward this special election.
- Jim Kupfer, Director of Planning & Development, provided an update on the Great Streets Program.
Following five years of studying downtown Hyannis’ traffic and economic concerns, having a robust public process with well attended public meetings, formally engineering the design for a safer Hyannis for all, and concluding with this summer’s final dual presentations before Town Council to finalize the engineered plan and construction schedule, the Town of Barnstable’s Downtown Hyannis Great Streets project to return two-way traditional travel is finally commencing. As a part of this project the one-way stretches of Main Street, South Street, Ocean Street, and Old Colony Road will be converted back to two-way travel and a new roundabout will be installed at the ‘Six Points’ intersection (intersection of South, Ocean, Old Colony). The project also includes new ADA improvements throughout, a new shared-use path/sidewalk along North Street from Stevens Street to West Main Street as well as a shared-use path/sidewalk on Old Colony Road from South Street to Main Street. Construction for the project will commence imminently. The two-way conversion is expected to be completed at the earliest by Summer 2027 though we will continually communicate changes to that schedule if they arise. This project is funded by State and Federal funding sources.
For more information, such as the full plan set and recordings of previous public meetings on the topic, please visit the project webpage at: https://barnstable.gov/Departments/planninganddevelopment/Projects/Great-Streets-Downtown-Hyannis.asp
President Tamash mentioned Natural Resource Officer Kaity Carpenter from Marine and Environmental Affairs has been selected for Keep Massachusetts Beautiful’s Municipal Partner of the Year award.
This award recognizes a municipal leader, such as a Select Board member, DPW employee, Sustainability Manager, or Board of Health member, for extraordinary efforts to implement sustainable practices and clean up or protect the local environment. The nomination was submitted by Sue Dahling Sullivan from the Barnstable Land Trust. Kaity has been instrumental in organizing and participating in numerous Beach Clean Up days at many beaches throughout the Town of Barnstable. She also participated in the Education Outreach Program – “Nature Superstars” at local schools and plays a pivotal role in keeping Aquaculture Grants free and clear of any debris and derelict gear with her “Trash Pump Treasure Hunt.”
Congratulations to Kaity!
Act on Public Session Minutes: September 3, 2026
COMMUNICATIONS – from elected officials, boards, committees, and staff, commission reports, correspondence and announcements.
Update on the Cape Cod Bridge Replacement Project
Luisa Paiewonsky, Executive Director, Megaprojects Delivery Office
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Cape Cod Bridges Presentation may be viewed here.
Jim Kupfer, Director, Planning and Development, provided
an Update on the Greening the Gateway Grant Program.
The Town was awarded a grant through the Greening the Gateway Cities Grant Program to plant 1,300 trees in the community’s Environmental Justice areas. All properties within the Town’s Planting Zone are eligible to sign up for free trees. The Town recently hit a significant milestone by planting 1,000 trees. This program is available through June 2027 and to learn more about this opportunity and to confirm if your property is within the Planting Zone, please visit GreeningHyannis.com.
Kudos to the Team who has worked tirelessly on this program:
Planning and Development
Kate Maldonado, Senior Planner
Alice Marcus-Krieg, Open Space Planner & Grants Coordinator
Hannah VanDivier, Greening Hyannis Project Coordinator
Daniel Connolly, Greening Hyannis Field Coordinator
Department of Public Works
Andy Bernier, Tree Warden
AmeriCorps Cape Cod
Thomas Bedard
Nina Costanza
Kyle Pedicini, Assistant Director, Planning and Development
Doing Business In Barnstable Presentation may be viewed here.
OLD BUSINESS
AGENDA ITEM 2027-026 Appointments to a Board/Committee/Commission: Licensing Authority: John Murphy from an associate position to a full member position to a term expiring 06/30/2029; Hyannis Main Street Waterfront Historic District Commission: Conrad Watson from an alternate member to a full member position, to a term expiring 06/30/2028.
The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2027-037 Resolve to schedule a Special Election to be held on December 29, 2026 to fill a vacancy on the Town Council.
Motion to strike December 29, 2026 and replace with December 22, 2026 was approved.
Presented by Town Attorney Karen Nober and Town Council President Craig Tamash. The item was approved as amended.
AGENDA ITEM 2027-040 Authorizing a letter of support to MassHousing for Homes at Centerville Cove’s Commonwealth Builder Program application.
Presented by Planning & Development Director Jim Kupfer. The item was approved.
Motion to WITHDRAW AGENDA ITEM 2027-027 Appropriation Order in the amount of $90,000 from the Capital Trust Fund and authorization to contract for and expend a grant in the amount of $317,500 from the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service for the design and construction of the Rosa Lane Fish Passage Improvements Project.
The item was withdrawn.
AGENDA ITEM 2027-034 Appropriation Order in the amount of $25,000 and authorization to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2027-028 grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of Marine Fisheries in the amount of $25,000 for the Millway Boat Ramp Parking Lot Resurfacing Project was referred to a Public Hearing on 10/15/2026.
Motion to refer Items 2027-035, 2027-038, and 2027-039, as written, to individual second readings to be held at the Town Council meeting on October 15, 2026 was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2027-035 Amending the Administrative Code, Chapter 241, Article III, Multiple-Member Appointive Organization, to dissolve and remove certain committees; AGENDA ITEM 2027-038 Appointments to a Board/Committee/Commission: Mid Cape Cultural Council: Margeaux Weber, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2029; Infrastructure and Energy Committee: James Redden, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2028; Board of Health: David Reidy, as an alternate member to a term expiring 06/30/2028; Housing Committee: Patrick Downey, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Recreation Commission: Mary Jo Pierpont, as a regular member, to a term expiring 06/30/2029; Zoning Board of Appeals: Brian Townsend, as an associate member, to a term expiring 06/30/2028; and AGENDA ITEM 2027-039 Reappointment to a Board/Committee/Commission: Mid Cape Cultural Council: Barbara Hersey, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2029.
AGENDA ITEM 2027-036 Authorizing and directing the Town Manager to submit a waiver request to the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission to prohibit the delivery of Marijuana or Marijuana products within the Town of Barnstable for a period not to exceed two years.
Motion to amend to change the date of the second reading to November 19, 2026 was approved.
The motion as amended was approved.
The next regularly scheduled Town Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 15, 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).
The Barnstable Town Hall elevator is out of service through December 2026. If any member of the public wishing to attend a meeting seeks special accommodations in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act or state law, please contact Tammy Cunningham, Deputy Director of Human Resources, at (508) 862-4692, or at Tammy.Cunningham@barnstable.gov.
