Tropical Storm Jose WARNING

Update: September 18, 2017

…TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT..

* WIND
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind
– Peak Wind Forecast: 20-30 mph with gusts to 60 mph

* STORM SURGE
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Localized storm surge possible
– Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for 1-3 feet
above ground somewhere within surge prone areas
– Window of concern: Begins early this afternoon

– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited
– Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
– Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become
overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous
in places where surge water covers the road.
– Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
– Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks,
boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from
moorings.

* FLOODING RAIN
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
– Peak Rainfall Amounts: 4-8 inches, with locally higher
amounts.

– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited
– Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations.
– Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter
currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and
ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots.
– Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in
usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding
of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor
drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds
become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures.

* FOR MORE INFORMATION:
http://weather.gov/box

Attention Town of Barnstable Mooring Permit Holders!

Please be advised of a potential strong wind/rain event next week 9/18/17.HERE is the link to the storm precautions web page.  Please take all necessary precautions and if you have any questions contact the Harbormasters Office at 508-790-6273

 

ROAD WORK NOTICE

Road Construction

ROAD SURFACE MILLING & PAVING OSTERVILLE-W. BARNSTABLE ROAD

The Department of Public Works will be performing roadway improvements on Osterville – West Barnstable Road in Marstons Mills between Rt. 28 and Flint Street (near transfer Station) beginning on Monday, September 18, 2017. Improvements include milling of the existing roadway surface and installation of new asphalt pavement. Work is expected to be completed by Friday, September 22, 2017, weather permitting.

Vehicle access during construction operations will be restricted to one lane. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes to avoid the construction work.

Operations will start promptly at 9 AM and run until 3 PM, after which time traffic will be opened back onto both lanes of the roadway.

CONTACT: JOE ORCIUCH Tel: 508-790-6400, Ext 4940

Ask the Nurse

The Public Health Division is pleased to announce the following:


When: Every Wednesday morning from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Where: Barnstable Senior Center (lower level), 825 Falmouth Rd, Hyannis, MA 02601

For:
– Health Information
– Vaccinations
– Blood Pressure Monitoring

If you should have any questions, please call the Town of Barnstable Public Health Division Office at (508) 862-4644

Remember

Cotuit Fire District emergency personnel and Cotuit Federated Church will hold a service at 8:55 a.m. at the Cotuit fire station, 64 School St. The bells will ring at 9:03 am., the time that Flight 175 crashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center.

Mosquitos Test Positive for West Nile Virus

IMG_0907

Two more positive tests in mosquitoes for West Nile on Cape Cod

By Ethan Genter, Cape Cod Times

Posted at 8:49 PM 9/1/17
Updated at 8:49 PM

Mosquitoes collected in Cotuit and Falmouth earlier this week have tested positive for West Nile virus, according to local and state officials.

The latest mosquitoes to test positive for the virus were collected on Wednesday, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Falmouth also had mosquitoes collected on Aug. 29 test positive, as did Bourne.

Bourne and Sandwich were the first Cape towns to have mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus this year, both on Aug. 8.

Since then, mosquitoes in Sandwich tested positive again on Aug. 24 and Aug. 25, and Bourne had mosquitoes test positive for West Nile on Aug. 29.

Across the state there have been 246 positive West Nile virus tests for mosquito samples and one positive test for a human, in a person between 51 and 60 years old on Aug. 15 in Bristol County, according to state officials. Bristol County also had one positive mosquito test for Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Westport last month.

“West Nile virus is a mosquito-carried virus that can cause illness ranging from a mild fever to more serious disease like encephalitis or meningitis,” according to the state Department of Public Health.

Town of Barnstable
Regulatory Services
Richard Scali, Director
Public Health Division
Thomas McKean, Director
200 Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Office: 508-862-4644​ Fax: 508-790-6304

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Cotuit, Massachusetts. In 2016, 6,414 mosquito samples were tested for WNV and 189 samples were positive.

WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state, and are found in urban as well as more rural areas. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.

By taking a few, common-sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:

Avoid Mosquito Bites:
• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours – The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant.
• Clothing Can Help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
• Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home:
• Drain Standing Water – Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.
• Install or Repair Screens – Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

The Town of Barnstable Public Health Division continues to work closely with the MDPH and other agencies. We contacted the Cape Cod Mosquito Control Program today which will conduct increased mosquito control treatment in Cotuit, including treating wetlands and catch basins with larvicides.

Information about WNV and reports of current and historical WNV virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at: http://www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.

Wastewater Planning

UPDATE: AUGUST 17, 2017 View Final Wastewater Planning Presentation to Town Council HERE

UPDATE: JUNE 17, 2017 The Town of Barnstable’s Water Resources Advisory Committee held a workshop on Saturday June 17, 2017 to discuss the timeline, process and preliminary costs associated with cleaning up Barnstable’s ponds, rivers, shorelines and embayments. View meeting HERE

UPDATE: MAY 17, 2017 View Barnstable’s Draft Wastewater Plan HERE presented by DPW to the Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC) and Town CouncilBarnstable Walling Map – 1856

The Town of Barnstable’s Water Resources Advisory Committee held a workshop on Saturday June 17, 2017 to discuss the timeline, process and preliminary costs associated with cleaning up Barnstable’s ponds, rivers, shorelines and embayments. View meeting HERE

 


Town-wide Field Study

Notice of Public Informational Session

Town-wide Comprehensive Field Study

The Town of Barnstable Department of Public Works invites interested individuals to attend a public informational session regarding the town-wide comprehensive field study. The Town would like your feedback regarding your existing and future use of the Town’s fields and courts!

The meeting will be held at 5:30 PM on Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Town of Barnstable Senior Center, 825 Falmouth Road (Route 28) in Hyannis.

The purpose of the study is to determine the types of athletic fields that will be needed in the future based on demographics and input from user groups, and then integrate that information into the inventory and condition of existing fields and available parcels for future field development. That integration will result in a draft plan for capital expenditure and recommendations for future field development.

The meeting will include a presentation on the project and an opportunity for public input by questions and comments.

Those who are unable to attend the meeting but would like to offer feedback, please complete the survey HERE

Absentee Ballots are In

ABSENTEE BALLOTS ARE IN for the September 19, 2017

Town-wide Election
If you are a voter in the Town of Barnstable, and will not be here on September 19th, please come over to the Town Clerk’s office and vote by Absentee Ballot. If your son or daughter is away at college and is registered to vote in Barnstable, come on over to fill out a request for an absentee ballot. We will send them out right away.
Thank you,
Ann M Quirk, CMC/CMMC
Town Clerk/Town of Barnstable

Happy Labor Day

What’s open or closed on Labor Day

Banks: Closed

Post office: Closed

Federal offices: Closed

Town halls: Closed

Schools: Closed

MBTA: Commuter rail, buses, subways and The RIDE will operate a Sunday schedule. No South Shore commuter boat service. More information available at 800-392-6100 or mbta.com.

Liquor stores, bars: Open

Supermarkets, stores: Open

Restaurants: Most open

 

Upcoming Precinct 7 & Town Council Meetings September

Town Council Shoestring Property Committee – Thursday September 7, 5pm, Town Hall

Town Council Meeting – Thursday September 7, 7pm, Town Hall

Cotuit Fire Commissioner’s Meeting – Tuesday September 12, 6pm, Freedom Hall

Precinct 7 Monthly Open Meeting – Wednesday September 13, 3-5pm, Cotuit Library

Town Council Shoestring Property Committee – Wednesday September 13, 5pm, Town Hall

Cotuit Prudential Committee Meeting – Thursday September 14, 10am, Freedom Hall

CFD’s Union Negotiating Committee Meeting – Thursday September 14, 4:30pm, Freedom Hall

CFD’s Union Negotiating Committee Meeting – Monday September 18, 5:30pm, Freedom Hall

Town Council Committee to Assess Homelessness – Monday September 18, 6pm, Town Hall

Town Council Appointments Committee – Tuesday September 19, 5:30pm, Town Hall

Town Council Shoestring Property Committee – Tuesday September 19, 6pm, Town Hall

Cotuit/Santuit Civic Association Meeting – Tuesday September 19, 7:30pm, Cotuit Library  Cancelled

Cotuit Water Commissioner’s Meeting – Wednesday September 20, 6pm, Freedom Hall

Cotuit Prudential Committee Meeting – Monday September 25, 4:30pm, Freedom Hall

Cotuit Prudential Committee Meeting – Tuesday September 26, 5pm, Freedom Hall

CFD’s Union Negotiating Committee Meeting – Tuesday September 26, 5pm, Freedom Hall

Town Council Asset Management Advisory Committee – Thursday September 28, 6pm, Town Hall

Town Council Shoestring Property Committee – Thursday September 28, 6pm, Town Hal

Town Council Meeting – Thursday September 28, 7pm, Town Hall

Town Council Roads Committee – TBD

Town Council Zoning & Regulation Review Committee – TBD

 

 

 

Swimming Advisory


UPDATE: August 29, 2017

Advisory:

No-Bottom, Cotuit

Warning: NONE

Closure: NONE

UPDATE: July 31, 2017

Cyanobacteria Update (These observations are based on our inspection of high risk Barnstable ponds with public or semi-public beaches.)

Advisory:

Lovells, Marston Mills

Long Pond, Centerville

No-Bottom, Cotuit

Definitions:

Advisory: Toxic algae is present, but has not collected into a film on the surface. Pond shows slight discoloration. Can easily see through water. Low to minimal health risks to people, higher risks for pets.

Warning: Toxic algae has started to collect and form a film on the surface. Pond shows slight to moderate discoloration. Can see through water, but water is cloudy. Low to moderate health risks for people, higher risks for pets.

Closure: Toxic algae has collected and formed a thick film on the surface (looks like soup or paint). Pond shows extreme discoloration. Cannot see through water at all. Moderate to severe health risks for people, higher risks for pets.

Health Advisory: Effective 7-13-17, Lovell’s Pond Beach in Santuit is Closed to Swimming due to cyanobacteria and water visibility <4 feet. Check HERE for updates. Learn more about algae blooms HERE

Lovell’s Pond Boat Ramp

Town wide Beach Locations & Contact Information HERE

 

Shellfishing Reopens

 

 

UPDATE – 8/23/17 Shellfishing Open

Due to heavy rains, the Town of Barnstable is CLOSED TO ALL HARVEST OF SHELLFISH

For updates & additional information Contact Dan Horn Marine & Environmental Director dan.horn@town.barnstable.ma.us or call MEA Supervisor, Douglas Kalweit
P 508-790-6272
F 508-790-6275
8:30a-4:15p, M-F

 

 

 

2017 Open Space & Recreation Plan Update

TODAY is the Deadline to Submit Your Survey

Please take a moment to fill out the 2017 Open Space and Recreation Plan Survey HERE. This short survey is meant to better understand the importance of parks, trails, conservation areas, recreation programs and other opportunities to the Barnstable community. The information gathered will help update the Town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan. In addition to the above survey, the Town invites you to participate in one or more of the upcoming discussion sessions, designed to engage key community members and local officials in a discussion of issues relevant to the plan. Your participation and input will allow for your thoughts, concerns and priorities to be incorporated into the updated plan.

The Town of Barnstable is updating its Open Space and Recreation Plan, last adopted in 2010. The plan (view HERE) allows the community to identify and evaluate goals, challenges, opportunities and priorities for open space protection, land management, and the provision of recreational opportunities. Planning for our Town’s “green infrastructure” of water, land, forests, wildlife habitat, parks, recreation areas, and trails is important to our economic future, community identity, and quality of life.

The plan is being developed to comply with guidance from the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services and will be submitted to that agency for approval. An approved plan is necessary for the Town to qualify for certain land acquisition financial assistance provided by the Commonwealth. It is also an important opportunity to re-assess community needs and priorities for open space protection and the provision of recreational opportunities.

Session I: Land Management: The Functions of Open Space
DATE/TIME: July 6, 3:30 – 5:30 PM
Location: Selectmen’s Conference Room, Town Hall
Topics: Management issues and challenges, working landscapes, disposition/purchase of properties, protecting ground and surface waters, resource needs.

Session II: Recreation: Fields, Facilities, Trails, Parks and Programs
DATE/TIME: July 10, 3:30 – 5:30 PM
Location: Hyannis Youth & Community Center
Topics: Highlights since 2010, planned facilities and programs, programs and partnerships, outreach to improve access for all residents, use or maintenance issues, beaches and coastal access issues.

Session III: Resource Protection: Conserving, Preserving and Restoring Open Spaces
DATE/TIME: July 27, 3:30-5:30 PM
Location: Selectmen’s Conference Room, Town Hall
Topics: Highlights since 2010, priority acquisition goals, use of creative tools for land protection, habitat protection, connectivity, climate change and resiliency, improved access for all residents, stewardship issues, resource needs.

Please email Anna at Anna.Brigham@town.barnstable.ma.us to let us know which meetings you will be able to attend.