The September 5, 2024 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. Town Council President Felicia Penn called the meeting to order. Town Clerk Ann Quirk took the Roll Call.
Town Council Vice President Craig Tamash introduced Billie Stewart to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Billie Stewart is a tenth generation Cape Codder. Billie’s great grandfather, William Drew, established the Zion Union Church in Hyannis in 1909. William Drew had been a deacon at the First Baptist Church on Main St in Hyannis. When some of the white parishioners decided that blacks were not welcome, Mr. Drew, left the church, bought the land and with the help of other parishioners, built the Zion Union Mission. William Drew died tragically in Chatham in the 1930s when he and the engineer operating a train, acted heroically to bring the train that was derailing to a stop. Mr. Drew and the engineer were thrown from the engine and crushed but none of the travelers in the passenger cars was hurt. Billie Stewart is continuing the legacy his great grandfather established. Billie served in the Air Force and is a Vietnam era veteran. Billie and his wife, Nina Tepper, are active in the NAACP and are engaged politically in what Billie terms the election for democracy. Billie wants to remind everyone that it has been 61 years since Martin Luther King gave his “I have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
President Penn offered a Moment of Silence as we think of all that pain, suffering and jubilation that resulted in the discovery and the founding of the Zion Union Church that is still with us today.
Next was Public Comment.
Council Response to Public Comment followed.
President Penn announced that Town Manager Communications for the period of August 14-September 3, 2024 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:
- A budget calendar for the Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget and Capital Improvements Plan has been prepared and was shared with the Town Council. We have begun our Capital and Operating Budget preparation with budget instructions scheduled to be issued to staff on September 16, 2024. Town Council conducts a joint meeting with the School Committee the second meeting in October in accordance with the Town Charter to review financial conditions and financial policies of the Town.
- As summer comes to a close, I want to thank our residents, visitors, businesses, and Town staff after a very busy season. Our recreational facilities functioned at records levels – for example approximately 23,500 beach stickers were sold. The Second Summer Fireworks on Saturday evening were a wonderful close to a productive summer season.
- We continue to closely monitor our beaches and waterways for any signs of debris resulting from the Vineyard Wind turbine incident. Marine Environmental Affairs and Community Services personnel are prepared to respond accordingly. We urge any member of the public that spots any debris in the water or onshore to report it to the Debris Reporting Hotline 781-831-1134.
- We encourage residents and visitors to download the MyBarnstable app from the Apple or Google Play store. The app provides updates on a wide range of information in Town including traffic advisories, beach updates, Sandy Neck off-road availability, and more.
- Kate Maldonado, Senior Planner of the Planning and Development Department, provided an update on the Local Comprehensive Plan and Greening Hyannis, the Greening the Gateway Program.
The Council voted to approve Public Session Minutes: August 15, 2024.
Communications from elected officials, boards, committees, and staff, commission reports, correspondence and announcements
Update on changes in Human Services support for the Brazilian Community: Carlos Barbosa, Treasurer, and Michael Mecenas, Executive Director, Brazilian Resource Center.
Town Council Strategic Plan Update process discussion: Felicia R. Penn, President – looking for councilor schedule availability. Would like to have a facilitator. Town Manager has asked senior staff to provide comments on the current plan.
Workshop Discussion on the New England Wind 2 (formerly, Commonwealth Wind) offshore renewable wind project proposed to land at Dowses Beach: Karen Nober, Town Attorney; Thomas LaRosa, First Assistant Town Attorney
President Penn said that the following presentations were pre-recorded and shown in advance of this meeting. They are also available on Video on Demand on the Town website:
Private Roads Workshop: Mark S. Ells, Town Manager (This video is approximately 21 minutes.)
Video On Demand: https://streaming85.townofbarnstable.us/CablecastPublicSite/show/11271?channel=1
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/XOenGDIFWzs
Mr. Ells’s PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here: https://tobweb.town.barnstable.ma.us/TownCouncilCommunications/2024-09-05%20Private%20Roads%20Presentation%20.pdf
The Town Council invited Town Manager Mark Ells to discuss Private Roads issues. Mr. Ells is looking for formal direction. Will require a lot of research up front and will be labor intensive over multiple departments. Town Attorney Karen Nober said that the Council would vote at a future meeting.
Opioid Settlement Funds Working Group Update: Andy Clyburn, Assistant Town Manager, and Jennifer Ellis, Deputy Chief, Barnstable Police Department (This video is approximately 8½ minutes.)
Video On Demand: https://streaming85.townofbarnstable.us/CablecastPublicSite/show/11270?channel=1
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/LdtXDC1XkX4
The PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here: https://tobweb.town.barnstable.ma.us/TownCouncilCommunications/2024-09-05%20Opioid%20Community%20Engagement%20Update.pdf
Barnstable Police Deputy Chief Jennifer Ellis and Communications Director Lynne Poyant responded to Councilor questions regarding the Opioid Settlement Funds.
Great Streets Update: James Kupfer, Director of Planning and Development (This video is approximately 16½ minutes.)
Video On Demand: https://streaming85.townofbarnstable.us/CablecastPublicSite/show/11269?channel=1
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/s0lhdrxvuMQ
Mr. Kupfer’s PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here: https://tobweb.town.barnstable.ma.us/TownCouncilCommunications/2024-09-05%20Great%20Streets%20Brief.pdf
Planning & Development Director Jim Kupfer provided a brief summary of the Great Streets timeline and answered Councilor questions.
Orders of the Day.
OLD BUSINESS
AGENDA ITEM 2025-009 Reappointments to a Board/Committee/Commission: Comprehensive Financial Advisory Committee: Hector Guenther, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Council On Aging: John Jope, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Kathleen Strudwick, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Disability Commission: Sheila Mulcahy, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Lori Gillen, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Housing Committee: Emily Cornett, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Evan Gaudette, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Donald Lynde, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Hyannis Main Street Waterfront Historic District Commission: Tom Doherty, as a Hyannis Business District Representative member, to a term expiring 06/30/2027; John F. Kennedy Memorial Trust Fund Committee: Robert Jones, as a regular member, to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Lynne Poyant, as a regular member, to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Mid Cape Cultural Council: Margeaux Weber, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2025; Recreation Commission: Brendan Burke, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Tim Lus, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Sandy Neck Board: Richards French, as a member- at large to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Thomas O’Neill, as a member-at large to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Maureen Piccione, a member-at-large to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Waterways Committee: Gregory Egan, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Scholarship Committee: John Marsden, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Zoning Board of Appeals: Emmanuel Alves, as an associate member to a term expiring 06/30/2027; Jake Dewey, as a regular member to a term expiring 06/30/2025.
The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2025-010 Appointments to a Board/Committee/Commission: Historical Commission: John Richmond, as an alternate member to a term expiring 06/30/2026; Hyannis Main Street Waterfront District Appeals Committee: Stephen Peckham, as a Hyannis resident, to a term expiring 06/30/2025.
The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2025-012 Resolve approving a letter of support for the Paint Stewardship Program.
The item was approved.
Town Councilor Paul Neary recused himself from Agenda Item 2025-017.
AGENDA ITEM 2025-017 Designation of the Hyannis District Improvement Financing Development District to be located in Downtown Hyannis and approval and adoption of the Development Program.
Presented by Planning & Development Director Jim Kupfer who was joined by Community & Economic Development Planner Kyle Pedicini. Director Kupfer, Mr. Pedicini, Finance Director Mark Milne responded to Councilor questions.
A motion was made to move the item to first meeting in October which was approved.
The PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here.
Councilor Neary returned to the dais.
Town Councilor Matthew Levesque recused himself from Agenda Item 2024-018.
AGENDA ITEM 2025-018 Authorizing the acceptance of an easement from Barnstable Land Trust, Inc. upon a portion of the property known as Fuller Farm.
Presented by Lindsey Counsell, Community Preservation Committee Chair. Barnstable Land Trust Executive Director Janet Milkman was on hand to answer Councilor questions. The item was approved.
The PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here.
Councilor Levesque returned to the dais.
NEW BUSINESS
MOTION: To refer Items 2025-022, 2025-025, 2025-026, 2025-027, as written, to individual public hearings to be held on each item at the Town Council meeting on September 19, 2024 was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2025-022 Order amending the General Ordinances of the Code of the Town of Barnstable, Chapter 220 Town Council, Article I, Section 220-4:
AGENDA ITEM 2025-025 Appropriation order in the amount of $75,000 for the purpose of Alum Treatment for Mystic Lake;
AGENDA ITEM 2025-026 Order amending Article II, Sewer Assessments, Chapter 184 Sewers and Water of the General Ordinances of the Code of the Town of Barnstable; and
AGENDA ITEM 2025-027 Appropriation and Loan Order in the amount of $3,826,327 and authorization to contract for and expend a grant in the amount of $2,833,849 from the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for the Sandy Neck Beach Facility Coastal Resiliency Project.
AGENDA ITEM 2025-023.. Resolve establishing a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) Ad Hoc Advisory Committee.
Motion made to have a member of the Comprehensive Financial Advisory Committee as an additional liaison was approved.
Presented by DPW Director Dan Santos. The item as amended was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2025-024 Authorization to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2024 Fiscal Year 2026 State 911 Department Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT) Grant in the amount of $10,891 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.
Presented by Barnstable Police Deputy Chief Jennifer Ellis. The item was approved.
AGENDA ITEM 2025-028 Order authorizing the taking of road easements by eminent domain for sewer and water purposes over certain private roads known as: Beechwood Road, Cottonwood Lane, Sail-A-Way, Millstone Way, Tellegen Trail, and Whidah Way in Centerville; Sunny-Wood Drive, Centerboard Lane and Newspaper Road in Hyannis; Goose Point Road in Centerville and Hyannis; Marquand Drive in Marstons Mills; and Old East Osterville Road in Osterville was referred to a Second Reading on 09/19/2024.
The next regularly scheduled Town Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2024. 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. 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).
