Welcome to Barnstable eWeekly!

We are grateful for our faithful readers and look forward to sharing more about Barnstable’s Town Government in the coming year. 

 

Stay Informed during a Storm
 Winter Storm Grayson made his presence known this week.  The Town re-activated the Storm Alert feature on our website.  The Department of Public Works shared actual road plowing activities.  Also available to residents was the storm information line that can be accessed by dialing 508-863-INFO (4636), which was updated with the same information from the DPW.  Our Town’s social media site on Facebook and Twitter were also updated.  The 2018 Department of Public Works’ Snow and Ice Brochure has been updated. You can view the brochure here. A reminder to be careful of icing conditions while we are experiencing these below freezing temperatures.

 

Barnstable School Committee Vacancy
 Interested applicants should submit resumes by Friday, January 12, 2018.

Town Council President Eric Steinhilber and School Committee Chair Chris Joyce have provided a timeline for filling the recent vacancy on the Barnstable School Committee. The opening is for a four year term for one seat.  Interested applicants should submit their resume to the School Department Main Office (230 South Street, Hyannis, MA  02601) or the Barnstable Town Council Office (367 Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601) by Friday, January 12, 2018.  A subcommittee of the School Committee and Town Council will interview all applicants during the week of January 16-19, 2018.  Once all applicants have been interviewed the joint subcommittee will recommend two applicants to move forward.  A joint meeting of the School Committee and Town Council will take place at the Town Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 1st at 7:00 PM.  At that time, the final two applicants will have a second interview.  Upon completion of the second interviews, a vote will be taken to determine the successful candidate for the Barnstable School Committee. For more information, please contact Cynthia Lovell, Town Council Administrator, at 508-862-4733 or Cynthia.lovell@town.barnstable.ma.us.

 

January 4th Town Council Meeting Canceled – Summary of December 21st Meeting
Last night’s scheduled Town Council meeting was cancelled due to Winter Storm Grayson.  The December 21st Town Council meeting included a Legislative Update from Senator Julian Cyr. The Town Council approved a resolve in support of an Intermunicipal Agreement between Barnstable, Sandwich, and Mashpee for the purpose of Popponesset Bay watershed permitting and a Resolve for an intermunicipal Dispatch Agreement between the Town of Barnstable and the Hyannis Fire District for a joint dispatch center at the Barnstable Police Department which will include the Hyannis Fire Department. The rules were suspended to allow for Appointments to the Hyannis Main Street Waterfront Historic District Appeals Committee, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Hyannis Main Street Waterfront Historic District Committee with only one reading.  An item Amending Article V, Chapter 240, Sections 47.1 and Section 128 of the Zoning Ordinance to revise regulations for Family Apartments was referred to the Planning Board.  The Town Council also approved the calendar of meetings for 2018. The next Town Council Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 18th at 7:00 PM.

 

Town Manager Hearing on Proposed Amendments to Existing Shellfish Regulations

Town Manager Mark Ells held a hearing on Proposed Amendments to Existing Shellfish Regulations on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 9:00.  The information has been taken under advisement and the Town Manager will make a determination in the near future. The proposed changes including rationale can be found on the Town’s website. 

 

Town of Barnstable Receives Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) is pleased to announce that Town of Barnstable, Massachusetts has received the GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget. The award represents a significant achievement by the entity.   It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.   In order to receive the budget award, the entity had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation.   These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity's budget serves as: a policy document; a financial plan; an operations guide; and a communication device. Budget documents must be rated "proficient" in all four categories, and the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award. When a Distinguished Budget Presentation  Award  is granted  to an entity,  a Certificate of Recognition for  Budget   Presentation  is  also  presented  to  the  individual(s)  or  department designated  as  being primarily  responsible  for  having  achieved  the  award.    This has been presented to Mark S. Ells, Town Manager. Mr. Ells said he would be remiss if he did not recognize our Finance Director Mark Milne and his staff for their efforts in preparing our budget documents.  This is the 17th year the Town of Barnstable has been recognized by GFOA.

 

**Razor Clam Class Scheduled for Sunday, January 7th has been canceled.**

This is due to inclement weather and icy conditions.

 

ROAD WORK

As always, please slow down and use extreme caution when traveling through the road construction areas and follow posted safety signs.

ROAD WORK: National Grid Upgrading Natural Gas Main

National Grid and NEUCO continue their gas main replacement project. Improvements include marking of underground utilities, excavation of the street, and installation of a new gas main. Work will be ongoing, weather permitting. Their scheduled work along Overlook Drive, Centerville and Route 6A in Barnstable Village will continue. Operations will start promptly at 7:00 AM and run until 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. 

 

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Osterville Bay School Demolition

The contractor has begun work filling the ground where the building once stood.   This work is weather dependent.  It is expected that work will be complete in two to three weeks.

Lombard Site (West Barnstable)

Work has slowed due to the freezing temperatures.  The new press box has been framed and is waiting for windows and doors to arrive.  The sidewalk path will be rough graded with stone dust as part of the sidewalk relocation. The public should be aware that there will be limited access and parking for the West Barnstable Community Building, as well as no access to Luke’s Love Playground, the ball field or the Old Selectmen’s Building for the duration of the project. The re-construction of the ball field, additional site improvements and the re-installation of Luke’s Love are expected to be completed in the Spring/Summer of 2018.

 

A Reminder from the Harbormaster’s Office to All Boaters

Unless a vessel owner secures written permission from Harbormaster staff for a proven need and that the vessel be actively used, no vessel shall be stored or placed on any Town property between November 15 and April 15. Any vessel placed or remaining between those dates shall be considered abandoned property under this regulation, and will be scrapped or otherwise disposed of by the Town. The Town of Barnstable shall not be responsible for damage to or theft of any vessel placed neither at this parcel nor for loss of property considered abandoned under this regulation.

 

New “Art on Loan” - Travel through the Eyes of Artist Betsy Payne Cook!

on display at Barnstable Town Hall - Hearing Room and Selectman's Conference Room now through January 15th, 2018

The "Art on Loan" program displays the works of local artists on meeting room walls in Barnstable Town Hall.  Pastel plein air painter, Betsy Payne Cook, is exhibiting a selection of her travelogue paintings in both the Hearing Room and Selectmen's Conference Room on the 2nd floor in Barnstable Town Hall, 367 Main Street, Hyannis.  About the artist:  Betsy Payne Cook paints exclusively with pastels, and is honored to be a juried associate artist member of the Pastel Society of America and to have achieved signature membership status of the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod( PPSCC). Betsy is also acknowledged as a juried Master Artist at the Cape Cod Art Association. www.betsypaynecook.com    email: Betsy@betsypaynecook.com.  Betsy records her thoughts and experiences as an artist in her e-newsletter "Painting In and Out".  The Artwork on Loan program provides a venue for local artists to display their work.  Visitors who use the meeting rooms will discover an inviting and attractive environment and have an opportunity to learn about some of the Cape's local artists.  For more information on this program or the artist excursion program out at Sandy Neck Beach, email melissa.hersh@town.barnstable.ma.us or call 508-862-4767. Program information is available at: www.ArtsBarnstable.com.

 

Town of Barnstable Tools for New Business Development

Economic Development Resource Tools for New Business Attraction and Development

The Town of Barnstable’s Planning & Development Department provides of two economic development resource tools for new business attraction and development. The newly re-designed Business Barnstable website and the Barnstable Business & Permitting Guide were created for companies and entrepreneurs interested in opening a business in Barnstable, the commercial hub of Cape Cod. The Business Barnstable website (www.BusinessBarnstable.com) provides an online comprehensive one-stop resource to assist with new business start-up or expansion, and sends a clear message that Barnstable is ‘Open for Business’. Sections within this easily-navigable site include: “The Barnstable Advantage”; “Business Development and Permitting”; and “Business Assistance and Resources” and contain links to key resources at the Town, State and Federal levels.  The Barnstable Business & Permitting Guide is a user-friendly printed reference publication to help small businesses looking to locate within Barnstable navigate through the municipal permitting, licensing and zoning process.  This interdepartmental collaboration answers many commonly asked questions when opening such businesses as retail, food establishments, service and office entities. It contains information about licensing, permits, regulatory review, and business certificates, as well as checklists and key contact information.  “These business resource tools are easy to navigate and offer pertinent information for anyone looking to do business in Barnstable, from the small ‘mom & pop’ shops to a corporate enterprise,” said Mike Trovato, the Town’s Economic Development Specialist.  “While Hyannis is our commercial hub, there are areas in each of the seven villages of Barnstable that are unique from each other, offering a diversified palette of opportunities for business owners to choose from.” Under the direction of Planning & Development Director Elizabeth Jenkins, the Town is developing a progressive marketing plan with a goal to draw attention to Barnstable and its seven villages as a viable location for a number of different business models including the creative and blue economies, healthcare, financial services, light manufacturing, as well as tourism-based hospitality, retail and food establishments.  For more information about these tools or Barnstable’s economic development program in general, please visit www.BusinessBarnstable.com or contact Economic Development Specialist, Mike Trovato at 508.862.4791 or Michael.Trovato@town.barnstable.ma.us.

Adult Supportive Day Program at the Barnstable Senior Center

If you are a caregiver in need of respite, or a senior who may benefit from the Adult Supportive Day (ASD) Program, we would be happy to meet with you to discuss how we may meet your needs.  ASD offers the following:  assists elders in maintaining their independence and remain active while aging in place in the community; offers structured and stimulating activities in a safe environment, with a focus on socialization, cognitive skills and physical well-being; provides respite and peace of mind for caregivers and families; caregiver supports/referrals are available; and professional, caring and experienced staff.  For more information, call 508-862-4765 to schedule a tour and a Free Trial Day.

 

Barnstable Residents – become involved in your town’s government, apply for a position on a board, committee or commission

The Town of Barnstable has over 40 boards, committees, and commissions with approximately 291 seats. Our citizen participation is exemplary and the Town Council appreciates each and every member who serves. If you are a resident of Barnstable and are interested, please consider submitting an application. The appointments committee consists of five Town Councilors who interview applicants and make recommendations to the Town Council.  All Councilors then vote to appoint members at the Town Council meetings.  If you are a resident and registered to vote in the Town of Barnstable and are interested in serving on a board or committee, please visit our web page linked from the Town website and fill out the application. For a more detailed description and responsibilities of the committees listed, please contact the Town Council office:  council@town.barnstable.ma.us or phone 508-862-4738. 

 

Barnstable Public Schools is Now on Facebook

Barnstable Public Schools now has a Facebook page.  You can follow them here. You may also want to follow Superintendent Meg Mayo-Brown on Twitter @meg_bps.  

 

Looking for a Job?  The Town of Barnstable is a Great Place to Work.

To see what positions are currently available, click here.   Apply online by clicking on the job title you are interested in and click the “Apply” link.  If this is the first time you are applying using the online job application, you need to create an account and select a username and password.  After your account has been established, you can build an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link.  This application can be saved and used to apply for more than one job opening. 

 

Are you interested in the Bids and Request for Proposals (RFPs) the Town of Barnstable puts out?
Find all the Invitations for Bid and RFPs for the Town that are currently available to the public here.

 

e-News TRIVIA
This Week’s Question:  Which author, who used Barnstable as the setting in one of his short stories, spent time living in Barnstable? Please email your Answer here.