The September 18, 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. Assistant Town Clerk Janet Murphy took the Roll Call. Councilor Felicia Penn joined the meeting via Zoom so all votes were by roll call.
Town Councilor Betty Ludtke welcomed Sergeant Ann McLaughlin to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Sergeant Ann McLaughlin entered the Army in Birmingham, Alabama in 1955. It was there that she completed her basic training. She was then assigned to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX to be trained as a medic. She continued with assignments at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Fort Lawton, in Seattle, Washington. She was shipped out of Seattle to serve in the Pacific. Her final tour of duty was at the Ryukyu Islands in the Pacific. She arrived there in the back of a cargo aircraft wearing a skirt. She was assigned to the US Army hospital as a medic. The hospital where she worked was initially composed of Quonset huts. The Army built a new hospital during her time there and she completed her medic duties in the maternity department. Ann left the Army in 1958 just as Force Reconnaissance Marines and Green Berets were leaving for Vietnam from the base where she was assigned. Ann’s promotion to Sergeant in the short span of three years of her Army service is to be commended. This meant she was ready to be a leader instead of being led. Ann lives in the village of Hyannis.
President Tamash asked all to remain standing for a Moment of Silence all those who lost their lives on September 11th which we have recently commemorated, all the police and firefighters who have died and continue to die from the effects of working at the World Trade Center site. Also keep those who are near and dear to you in your hearts.
Next was Public Comment which was followed by Council Response to Public Comment.
President Tamash announced that Town Manager Communications for the period of September 3-September 16, 2025 had been pre-recorded by Assistant Town Manager Andy Clyburn and was shown on our Government Access Channel prior to the meeting. The recorded version of Mr. Clyburn’s Town Manager Communications may be viewed here and the itemized list is shared below:
- The Town Manager will issue instructions to municipal departments for FY 2027 operating and capital budgets in mid-September. The Town Manager Calendar Year Rate Hearing is planned for mid-October. A workshop with Town Council is scheduled for this week’s Town Council meeting focused on 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.
- The Hyannis Water System, by way of the Board, put in place restrictions around non-essential outdoor water use. Per regulatory compliance, these restrictions were published on August 20th and shared on the Town website (https://tobweb.town.barnstable.ma.us/Departments/watersupply/News_and_Updates/–State-of-Water-Conservation—August-20-2025.pdf), Town mobile app, social media, e-News, and published in the Cape Cod Times.
Mandatory restrictions include:
- Outdoor Watering (by hand only) Restricted to Two Days or Fewer per Week
- Outdoor Watering Hours (permitted from 5:00 PM to 9:00 AM)
- Washing of Vehicles prohibited (with exceptions, i.e. commercial car wash, for operator safety, etc.)
- Washing of Exterior surfaces prohibited (with exceptions, i.e. when applying paint, stucco, cement, etc.)
- Filling of Swimming Pools prohibited
With continued guidance from the EEA, we will push the materials again via social and digital channels. Please let me know if you have additional questions or concerns.
- We continue to communicate the importance of the Town of Barnstable’s Fertilizer Ordinance to assist the Town in its ongoing efforts to improve water quality. The Town of Barnstable has over 180 ponds and lakes. The information is of value to all properties who use fertilizer. We are available to work with all in our community to advance this information.
- The Town of Barnstable has announced the September 30, 2025 deadline for the availability of the final 2025 round of Opioid Abatement Funds to support local initiatives that aim to make a positive impact on the community. Town of Barnstable based projects will be considered for grant awards up to $50,000. Projects must serve residents of the Town of Barnstable and deliver services in the areas of substance use prevention/education, harm reduction, treatment services, or recovery supports. To date the Town has distributed $332,827 with $149,715 pending distribution from the June 30th grant round which will bring the total grant distribution to $502,542. We plan to provide the Town Council with an update at a future meeting.
- The Town of Barnstable will host its 4th Annual Community Safety Day on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Barnstable Adult Community Center in Hyannis. In collaboration with the Barnstable Police Department, Village Fire Districts, and the Adult Community Center, the event offers residents a chance to connect with public safety professionals, learn practical safety tips, and access vital resources. This important event promotes public safety awareness and encourages community engagement, especially among our senior population.
- I will provide an update on the Quality-of-Life workgroup (see report below).
- Kate Maldonado, Planning & Development Department Senior Planner, provided an update on the Community Development Block Grants, Greening Hyannis, and Regional Policy Plan.
- Kelly Collopy, Department of Public Works Communications Manager, provided an update on Water Resources including the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan.
Quality-of-Life Workgroup Update
The Quality-of-Life workgroup was established to look at enforcement efforts across all Town Departments.
We have been meeting twice a month to discuss and improve enforcement matters as it relates to policies, procedures, and communication to the community.
On Thursday August 21st Town Council affirmatively voted to refer the following two zoning amendments to public hearings before the Planning Board.
Item No. 2026-008 – The proposal is to amend the code of the Town of Barnstable, Part I General Ordinances, Chapter 240 to repeal and replace section 240-46 Home Occupation with a new section 240-46 Home Occupation that adds definitions, licensing requirements and makes certain other revisions.
Item No. 2026-012 – The proposal is to amend the code of the Town of Barnstable, Part I General Ordinances, Chapter 240 to repeal and replace section 240-45 Off-Street Storage of Trailers with a new section 240-45 Off-Street Parking and Storage of Commercial Vehicles, Trailers and Mobile Homes.
These two zoning amendments have been advertised for the upcoming Planning Board meeting to be held Monday September 22nd at 7:00 PM in person at Barnstable Town Hall within the Hearing Room. A public hearing will be held for each of the zoning amendments. At the close of each public hearing, the Planning Board will make a recommendation to Town Council, requiring a majority vote of the members present and voting, for each of the zoning amendments. Upon recommendation of the Planning Board, the zoning amendments will proceed to public hearings before Town Council. Adoption of the zoning amendments requires a two-thirds vote of all the members of Town Council.
I should note that the Planning Board also has four zoning amendments to discuss, and it is likely the two QOL items will be pushed a month or two.
On Thursday September 4th a public hearing was held and Town Council voted unanimously to approve proposed revisions to zoning fines.
We are proposing the establishment of a Home Occupation Licensing Program within the Inspectional Services Department. In October we anticipate bringing forward the recommended organizational changes including proposed changes to the Town Code, fee schedule adjustments and public hearings to support the necessary resources.
Our hope is that by moving the ordinances and licensing program concurrently both will reach Town Council at the same time later this year; thereby allowing Town Council to approve enforcement resources at the same meeting that they consider adopting the new ordinances.
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Community Development Block Grants
The Town has completed the 2024 program year for the Community Development Block Grant program and is preparing the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. The Draft 2024 CAPER is available for review on the project website which is accessible from the Town’s website, Planning & Development Department webpage listed under “Programs” as “Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)” or by clicking HERE. Written comments received on or before Monday October 6, 2025, will be included in the final submission to HUD. A public meeting to present and discuss the CAPER will be held virtually Friday, September 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM. The meeting notice with instructions for attending the meeting is also accessible from the project website.
Greening Hyannis
The Town was awarded a grant through the Greening the Gateway Cities Grant Program to plant 1,300 trees within the community’s Planting Zone which includes greater Hyannis. All properties within the Planting Zone are eligible to sign up for free trees. To learn more about this program and to verify if your property is within the Planting Zone, please visit the project website GreeningHyannis.com.
Regional Policy Plan
The Cape Cod Commission is currently updating the Regional Policy Plan. The public comment period has been extended to September 24, 2025. Based on previous Town Council discussion and public input received through various planning initiatives, the Town Manager has drafted a comment letter on behalf of the Town. The Manager is seeking feedback from the Town Council on the comment letter prior to the public comment deadline.
Assistant Town Manager Andy Clyburn was invited to respond to Councilor questions. Town Manager Mark Ells provided further response.
Act on Public Session Minutes: September 4, 2025
Frank Frederickson, the Town of Barnstable’s representative to the Assembly of Delegates, provided an update including the Charter Review of county government and consideration of a regional transfer fee.
COMMUNICATIONS – from elected officials, boards, committees, and staff, commission reports, correspondence and announcements (will be taken up after the Orders of the Day)
OLD BUSINESS
AGENDA ITEM 2025-195 Authorizing the Town Manager to execute a Development Agreement by and among the Town of Barnstable, Shoestring Properties, LLC, located at 110 and 115 School Street, Main Street Times, LLC, located at 319 and 331 Main Street, and 259 North Street LLC, located at 310 Barnstable Road, Hyannis.
Jim Kupfer, Planning & Development Director, stated that the applicant requested the item be continued to the 10/9/2025 Town Council meeting. The applicant, Stuart Bornstein, requested that the item be withdrawn.
Motion was made and seconded to withdraw the item which was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-021 Appropriation Order in the amount of $520,434 to design and construct improvements to Cotuit Memorial Park located at 889 Main Street in Cotuit.
Presented by Deborah Converse from the Community Preservation Committee and Town Architect Mark Marinaccio. The item was approved.
Mr. Marinaccio’s PowerPoint may be viewed here.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-028 Vote on the merits of a group petition requesting that the town take action to acquire and preserve the home of Eugenia Fortes at 23 Pleasant Hill Lane and establish a permanent Wetlands Conservancy at 32 Pleasant Hill Lane.
Presented by petitioners Eric Schwaab and Mary Ann Barboza. Town Attorney Karen Nober stated that the vote is whether or not the petition has merit. Planning & Development Director Jim Kupfer was asked to respond to Councilor questions. The item was approved.
Councilor Matthew Levesque left the meeting.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-029 Resolve approving and adopting the Town of Barnstable 2025 Housing Production Plan dated May 12, 2025.
Presented by Jim Kupfer, Planning & Development Director. The item was approved.
Mr. Kupfer’s PowerPoint may be viewed here.
NEW BUSINESS
Councilor Paul Neary left the dais.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-031 Authorization to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2026 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service in the amount of $100,000 for design of the upper Marstons Mills River Fish Passage Improvements.
Presented by Rob Steen, Assistant DPW Director. The item was approved.
Councilor Neary returned to the dais.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-032 Authorization to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2026 Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service in the amount of $178,925 for the design and construction of Little River Road Landing Stormwater Improvements.
Presented by Rob Steen, Assistant DPW Director. The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-033 Authorization to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2026 Municipal Digital Equity Implementation grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative in the amount of $100,000 for the purpose of upgrading the public Wi-Fi at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center.
Presented by Jim Kupfer, Planning & Development Director. The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-034 Authorization to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2026 Regional Public Safety Answering Point and Regional Emergency Communications Center Development Grant in the amount of $861,378 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.
Presented by Assistant Town Manager Andy Clyburn. Town Architect Mark Marinaccio was available for Councilor questions. The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-035 Appointments to a Board/Committee/Commission: Disability Commission: Christopher Bartley as a regular member to a term expiring 6/30/2028; Planning Board: Catherine Finkenstaedt as a regular member to a term expiring 6/30/2028 was referred to a Second Reading on 10/09/2025.
AGENDA ITEM 2026-036 Reappointments to a Board/Committee/Commission: Human Services Committee: Kimberly Crocker-Crowther as a regular member to a term expiring 6/30/2028; Planning Board: Raymond Sexton as a regular member to a term expiring 6/30/2028; Waterways Committee: Gary Shramek as a regular member to a term expiring 6/30/2028 was referred to a Second Reading on 10/09/2025.
Fiscal Policy and Revenue Strategy
Mark Ells, Town Manager, and Mark Milne, Finance Director
Mr. Milne’s PowerPoint may be viewed here.
(Will be held at future date to be determined) Special Events / Use of Town Property
David Anthony, Director of Asset Management
The next regularly scheduled Town Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 9, 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).
