1. Ann Quirk, Town Clerk, shall provide information relevant to the November 2, 2021 elections.
  1. Elizabeth Jenkins, Director of Planning & Development, shall provide an update on the Local Comprehensive Plan.
  1. On October 26-28, 2021 we experienced a Nor’easter that resulted in extensive power outages and significant wind related damages.  We are concluding the storm assessment stage today in our efforts to provide MEMA with base information to support their submittal to FEMA for funding assistance.  We will be bringing to Town Council appropriation orders for municipal and schools to cover the emergency response, cleanup and repairs related to this weather event.  DPW has begun roadside brush cleanup on our primary roadways (estimated at 60 days) and secondary roadways (TBD).  We are using contractors to assist and expect that this work will cost an estimated $500,000 for brush within the roadway.  We anticipate that residents may also move their brush to the roadside which will increase further the estimated expense.  We do not plan on providing a municipal drop off facility for brush from private property at this time.  We will keep you advised of our progress on this effort.
  1. Please be advised that all of North Bay is closed to shellfishing until further notice, this includes Bay Street and Great Bay Road.  The closure is due to water quality testing performed by the Division of Marine Fisheries.  Currently, you may find oysters at Scudder Lane, Barnstable and Bridge Street, Osterville.   Please contact Marine and Environmental Affairs with any questions – 508-790-6272.
  1. We are proceeding with the budget action calendar for FY 2023.  We have issued the Capital and Operating Budget Instructions to the departments and are planning for a proposed level of service budget in FY 2023.  A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 9:30 a.m.  Those wishing to provide public comment may do so by accessing the meeting via the Zoom link or telephone number provided in the Notice of Public Hearing posted on the Town Manager website.  For information on our fiscal year budgets please view the Town’s Open Budget website at http://budget.townofbarnstable.us.
  1. The Bureau of Local Assessment has approved the Town’s assessed valuations that will be used to set the FY 2022 tax rate. The Town’s total assessed valuation increased 8.7% from $15.9 billion to $17.4 billion. Most of the increase is in the residential class of property which realized a 10% increase in value and is based on calendar year 2020 sales transactions. With property values approved, the Town Council can now act on the two tax levy shifting options to decide how the FY22 tax levy of $136 million will be raised. The options will be presented to the Town Council at the November 18th Town Council Meeting, with the votes scheduled  to take place at the December 2nd Town Council Meeting. The action taken on these two items will not impact the amount of property taxes levied in FY22, but will decide how the $136 million tax levy will be distributed between and within property classes.
  1. We continue to have regular conversations with Vineyard Wind (VW) regarding the status of the Phase I and Phase II VW Projects.  VW continues to work with Barnstable staff regarding both Phase I & II of the project.  VW is planning a groundbreaking ceremony for later this month details will be shared upon their availability.   VW has commenced construction on Phase I and are proceeding with permitting on Phase II.  We will continue negotiation with VW as previously authorized in 2019 on a Phase III project including a discussion of the proposed landing and cable routing.  We will keep you advised of our progress on this matter.
  1. EPA has issued a release entitled: PFAS Strategic Road Map: EPA’s Commitments to Action 2021-2024.  We have shared this document with Town Council and staff in anticipated in the continued challenges that PFAS and other emerging contaminants present to our community.  We will keep you advised as we move forward in managing this issue.
  1. The Town of Barnstable’s Department of Public Works continues sewer construction for the Strawberry Hill Road Sewer Expansion Project.  A new gravity sewer will be installed in portions of Craigville Beach Road, Strawberry Hill Road, Wequaquet Lane and Phinney’s Lane. Additionally, a new submersible pump station will be installed on a Town easement at the intersection of Strawberry Hill Road and Craigville Beach Road.  Construction will be coordinated with Vineyard Wind, which will be installing a duct bank and associated utility relocations in the same area as part of its offshore wind energy Phase 1 project. Upon the completion of both projects, Vineyard Wind will resurface disturbed roadways within the project area.  If you have any questions or wish to receive project updates, please contact Paul Ruszala, P.E., Senior Project Manager, at the Department of Public Works at 508-790-6400 or paul.ruszala@town.barnstable.ma.us.  More information about the Strawberry Hill Road Project and the Town of Barnstable’s CWMP is available at:  https://barnstablewaterresources.com/. Sign up for Enews, our Community Currents newsletter:  https://barnstablewaterresources.com/news-updates/.
  1. Cape Cod Gateway Airport has been busy completing many tasks associated with the Airport Business Plan.  As a reminder, the four goals are as follows:
  • Goal A – Maximize General Aviation Activity 
  • Goal B – Diversity Revenue Streams 
  • Goal C – Become Regional Air Transportation Leader 
  • Goal D – Enhance Airport Image & Branding 

As part of meeting various tasks, the Airport has embarked on the development of airport run events for FY2022/2023, COVID pending.  We have developed a new series called the, Cape Cod Gateway Airport – Community Event Series, which allows us to meet the four goals list above.  The series is geared towards hosting various types of fun events within the airport terminal and on airport grounds inviting the surrounding community to join us to learn more about the airport.

  1. This year’s Veterans Day parade will take place in Hyannis on Thursday, November 11th.  The parade will form at 9:30 a.m. in the Town Hall parking lot and commence at 10 a.m., proceeding up South Street, then left on Old Colony Road and left on Main Street, where it will continue to the Village Green.  Following the parade, a brief ceremony will take place to honor America’s veterans and to dedicate the Hidden Wounds Memorial, donated by the Cpl. Jeffrey M. Lucey Cape Cod Chapter of Veterans for Peace #041.  Immediately following the Veterans Day parade and ceremony, the Town of Barnstable and the Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center will host the 4th Annual Barnstable Veterans Town Hall from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Town Hall Hearing Room, located on the 2nd floor.  The idea behind a Veterans Town Hall is to give veterans of all wars a chance to address their community.  Food will be provided by the Hyannis Elks. The public is invited to attend.
  1. David Anthony, Director of Property and Risk Management, will provide an update on our potential preparation of our application to receive Green Community Certification.