The One Cape Summit will provide a regional forum to address the issue of water quality planning. Bringing together policy makers and stakeholders in an effort to support collaboration in local water quality planning initiatives.
Cape Cod Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis
Wednesday February 25, 6pm – All Cape Selectmen & Councilors’ Session
Thursday February 26, 8am – Open to Public
February 22, 2015 – This morning three DPW managers, including Director, Dan Santos, went to several roads and “plowed” them. There was a minimum amount of slush to plow. Not much melting had occurred and they each concluded that plowing would just leave a sheet of ice on the road. They have enough salt to make a 4 to 1 ratio of sand to salt and have decided to have crews sand/salt all the secondaries. This process should also take about eight hours to complete.
With the temperature expected to go well below freezing after today’s thaw, surface conditions will become slippery.
Take precautions when driving and walking.
George Washington (1732-1799) First President of the United Sates of America
Frostbite stages:
Hypothermia occurs when a person’s body temperature is below 96 degrees, and temperatures as low as 60 degrees can cause hypothermia if someone isn’t properly clothed.
Remember these tips to help prevent hypothermia:
February 16, 2015 5:15 AM – Good morning. DPW is back at work and back in all the secondary maps. Today’s plan is to make sure the secondary roads are pushed back to pre-storm levels and cleaned up. We also will be running the main roads again to push back any drifting. Sidewalk clearing will begin today, and we will have a few loaders out working to push back mounds on particularly bad corners.
NSTAR is now EVERSOURCE – Click Here for Map
February 15, 2015 5:15 PM – Since the snow stopped earlier this afternoon, DPW crews have been able to make progress on all roads. The main roads have been plowed and are having another application of sand/salt material. We will continue to work on the secondary roads until approximately 7:00 PM. At that point our crews will have been here for 26 hours, and we will rest them. All employees and secondary contractors will be back at 5:00 AM tomorrow morning for a 12-hour shift to go through all maps again, deal with drifting that will occur due to high winds overnight, begin to address sidewalks, and address trouble spots/sanding, etc.
February 15, 2015 2:45 PM – We have entered a phase where there will not be any new snow with this storm, but where winds will remain with gusts into the 30-40 MPH range well into tomorrow. As a result drifting snow will be an issue throughout the remainder of today and tomorrow until the winds subside. DPW crews are in the process of finishing plowing work on the main roads, and then will apply salt sand mixture to them. Secondary crews are now starting to widen the secondary roads out to pre-storm levels, and push back corners.
February 15, 2015 11:15 AM – DPW crews are continuing to plow. The conditions are difficult, and visibility is minimal. We have in the past half an hour had vehicles rear-end two of our inspector trucks. Please stay off the roads if you do not absolutely have to be out.
February 15, 2015 06:45 AM – Good Morning. The storm has resumed, and all plows (mains and secondary roads) are back on their routes. The latest forecast calls for between 3 and 8 inches of new snow by noon, with gusty winds topping at 50 MPH. If you do not have to travel please stay off the roads.
February 15, 2015 02:15 AM – As you have probably seen, we have been in a lull of the storm for the past few hours. During this time we have been working to get caught up on secondary roads, we finished scraping main roads, and we applied a new round of salt and sand on the main roads. The forecast is for snow to return in the next hour or two and for this portion of the storm to have the high winds and potential white out conditions.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
February 14, 2015 7:45 PM – Pretreatment of main roads and collectors has been completed. The snow is starting to accumulate and all plows have been sent to their routes (mains and secondary roads) to begin plowing.
February 14, 2015 3:15 PM – Good afternoon, and Happy Valentine’s Day. Another winter storm is upon us. The DPW has begun pretreating the main and collector roads, but as is discussed below, due to a shortage of salt this pretreatment is with a combination of salt and sand. This will likely result in roads conditions that are not what we have grown accustom to with salt alone. Please drive with caution as it is possible that slippery spots will develop, and ultimately hard pack. The current plan is to begin staging plow crews at 5PM, and begin plowing mains and secondary roads soon after that. Recent forecasts call for snow throughout the afternoon, night, and continuing until tomorrow afternoon. It also is calling for high winds and white out conditions. If at all possible, please plan to be off the roads tonight, and if you can refrain from parking on Main Street Hyannis between midnight and 6:00 AM it would be appreciated. We will update this site throughout the storm.
February 14, 2015 3:15 PM – Due to the storm, the Transfer Station at 45 Flint Street, Marstons Mills, will be closed on Sunday, February 15, 2015
Residents of Barnstable should be aware of the following emergency numbers:
If you need specific help during any storm.
Barnstable Department of Public Works (snow plowing): 508-790-6331
Barnstable Police Department Business Line: 508-775-0387
Barnstable Police Department Administration Line: 508-775-0920
Red Cross: 508-775-1540
NSTAR (EVERSOURCE): 1-800-592-2000
National Grid: 1-800-465-1212
If you find yourself in a life threatening situation, always call 911
Stay safe, be extra careful on the ice and check on your elderly neighbors!
Winter Storm Neptune
Due to the severe regional shortage of salt to treat roads, we have been forced to use a sand/salt mix, and in some cases sand alone, on slippery and icy roads. The result is that the condition of the roads may not be what drivers have come to expect in the Town, and may include hard pack snow and ice. This condition may become worse BOTH during and in the aftermath of the blizzard, which is forecast to affect our area Saturday and Sunday, February 14 and 15. Drivers are urged to use extreme caution when traveling roads during these conditions as roads that may appear to be pavement may have a dangerous coating of ice.
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
16th President of the United States of America
2/10/15 2:00 p.m. Yesterday DPW plowed main roads, secondary roads and parking lots throughout the day. We treated main roads and collector roads last night, finishing up around midnight. Crews were called in to treat the mains with a salt/sand mixture this morning at 5:00 AM this morning. Last night/early this morning intersections on Rt. 28 at Bearses Way, Strawberry Hill Road and Putnam Ave were widened. Today we are again plowing all of the secondary roads. Salt supplies are getting low. We have 6,000 tons on order. We will mix the remaining salt with sand until its gone, then go with straight sand. Our salt supplier is unable to estimate date or time of delivery. If the salt vendor allows, we are intending to contract two tractor trailers today to travel to Chelsea and pick up approximately 70 tons of salt, which is the maximum they will let us pick up.
February 5, 2015 Effective today at 12:00 PM, the DPW has placed heavy equipment teams in each of the Town’s seven villages. There are two teams in each village consisting of two front-end loaders, a backhoe and two Town trucks with plows and sand. These teams will visit each secondary road and open those roads back up to their normal lane widths. In other words, if a road is two lanes wide, the teams will open the road to two lanes wide. We have found that only this type of heavy equipment is effective at removing the quantities of frozen snow that is present on our secondary roads. The teams will continue work on the secondary roads on a 12 hours on and 12 hours off rotation until this task is complete. In the meantime we will continue work to clear Town sidewalks and treat the main roads with salt as it becomes necessary.
Feb 2, 2015 3:00 PM – The DPW plowed and treated the main roads this morning. This afternoon we are having the secondary contractor’s plow, now that the rain has softened up what’s on the roads. That effort will be followed with a sanding/salting of both main and secondary roads tonight to address expected icing due to falling temperatures.
Stay safe!
Town Council Compensation Committee – Monday February 2, 5:30, Town Hall POSTPONED to February 17, 6pm
Town Council Parking Sub Committee – Tuesday February 3, 5:30, Town Hall POSTPONED to February 10, 5:30pm
Town Manager Review Committee – Thursday February 5, 6pm, Town Hall
Town Council Meeting – Thursday February 5, 7pm, Town Hall
Monthly Precinct 7 Open Meeting – Wednesday February 11, 3 – 5pm, Cotuit Library
Roads Sub-Committee Meeting – Monday February 16, 5:30pm, Town Hall CANCELLED
Town Council Appointments Committee – Tuesday February 17, 5:30pm, Town Hall CANCELLED
Town Manager Review Committee – Thursday February 26, 6pm, Town Hall – FINAL
Town Council Meeting – Thursday February 26, 7pm, Town Hall
Written by Jessica Rapp Grassetti
So much for escaping winter and having it quietly pass us by! As much as we could have done without Juno’s wrath, we were fortunate that most of us did not lose power, internet or phone service. The driving ban, implemented by the Governor was a great help in managing the blizzard of 2015 and with spring but forty-nine days away hopefully winter has lost its grip.
In February the Cape Cod Commission will hold a two-day meeting continuing with the update of the Area Wide Water Quality Management Plan also called the 208. The primary focus of which is to address excessive nitrogen entering our embayments, will bring together the region’s policy makers in an effort to collaborate in local water quality planning. In my opinion, the single biggest issues that this summit will address are the costs and the revenue needed to protect and preserve our quality of life. Hopefully this effort will produce substantive results as much has been talked about for a long time and an argument can be made that it is time for action. Unfortunately, if we don’t move ahead we may well find the Federal Government forcing our hand. I welcome any input on this complicated and sensitive challenge.
As the President of the Town Council it is my responsibility to vote on behalf of Barnstable with regards to resolutions proposed at the recent Massachusetts Municipal Association’s Annual Meeting. There three resolutions accepted were; investments in municipal capital projects that create economic growth and the protection of health & safety, ensuring strong partnership in FY 2016 and beyond between State Government and the Cities and Towns and a sustainable personnel management system to provide excellent services by prudent use of taxpayer dollars managed at the local level. This last resolution brings up the issue of what is called unfunded mandates. These are regulations that require the Town to provide goods and or services without having a revenue stream to cover them. For instance, a sizable obligation for a coastal community is the regulations on storm water systems. Barnstable is required to maintain over four thousand catch basins for storm-water run-off from roads at a cost in excess of $80,000 a year. For the Town to continue to maintain and provide these mandated services without adequate funding is unacceptable. We need to be clear with our Legislators that we cannot afford to accept these mandates without requisite funding.
Deteriorating infrastructure continues to create enormous pressure on the local taxpayer. We can thank the newly elected Governor for releasing the entire $300 million dollars in Chapter 90 transportation aid funding. Barnstable’s increased share, in excess of a million dollars, will certainly help in addressing the numerous projects from road repair, equipment purchases, engineering services and even tree planting within our community.
Focusing on Precinct 7, I would very much appreciate any citizen concerns regarding our Village. Every year the Town’s Department Heads do an onsite tour to identify and respond to safety and quality of life issues and the 2015 “List of Cotuit Concerns” is in the process of being drafted. I have my own list but welcome and need input from all. A major issue of pedestrian safety along our roads will have a follow up meeting in March or April at Freedom Hall. Planning efforts are underway for crosswalks and “traffic calming”. Draft regulations are in process by the Waterways Committee regarding the size and storage of vessels at Ropes beach. Simply put, there isn’t enough room for everyone to store any sized boat on the water’s edge. Let me know your thoughts. There is still time for public comment and suggestions regarding this issue.
Soon, the many efforts, lead by Jaci Barton and her team from the Barnstable Land Trust will come before the Town Council for a vote on the appropriation of funds for the acquisition of land surrounding Lowell Park. The first reading, on February 5, will give the public notice of the project to protect the 19 acres and the second reading will be open for public comment. This preservation project is arguably one of the most important quality of life and environment acquisitions for the Village. I unequivocally support it and urge my fellow citizens to do the same.
Please take the opportunity to stop by and discuss any Village or Town issue on the second Wednesday of every month from 3-5pm at the Cotuit Library. The next scheduled meeting is February 11. You may also reach me anytime at (508) 360-2504 or weekdays at Town Hall (508) 862-4738. Email Precinct7@comcast.net or for web updates and information follow me at www.BarnstablePrecinct7.com. I look forward to your questions and concerns and always welcome your suggestions and ideas! Be sure to check on your neighbors and friends and keep your pets safe too!
Your Town Councilor, Jessica
Cotuit Town Dock Parking Lot
Cotuit Town Dock
Jan 28, 2015 12:30 PM – DPW continues to work on clearing the main roads. This afternoon we will also be opening them wider and treating the mains with salt mixture. Beginning this evening, we plan to undertake snow removal on secondary roads. Our normal contractors will not be able to tackle this job as much of their equipment is just too small for the task. This work will be undertaken by DPW crews and involve a front end loader and plow combination. We have numerous teams and dozens of pieces of equipment that will fan out across all the Town’s villages. We appreciate your patience in not calling to ask about a specific road. If you have an emergency, call 911 and public safety officials will coordinate any necessary access.
Jan 28, 2015 7:20 AM – DPW crews continue to work on the main roads. Using front end loaders through the night, we were able to clear enough to get our plows back on the mains. We will continue work on the mains throughout the day with DPW crews and contractors. We will begin addressing secondary roads once the mains have been addressed. At best, this will not occur until this evening. THE TOWN MANAGER HAS CLOSED ALL TOWN OFFICES, INCLUDING THE TRANSFER STATION TODAY. We are doing the best we can and will address all roads. Please try not to call the DPW to ask when a particular road will be plowed, as right now we will not be able to provide that information. If you have an emergency call 911.
EMERGENCY SHELTERS OPEN TONIGHT!
All 6 regional shelters will open at 6:30pm this evening. Locations are:
* Barnstable Intermediate School, 895 Falmouth Road, Barnstable
* Dennis-Yarmouth High School, 210 Station Avenue, South Yarmouth
* Sandwich High School, 365 Quaker Meetinghouse Road, Sandwich
* Falmouth High School, 874 Gifford Street, Falmouth
* Cape Cod Regional Technical School, 351 Pleasant Lake Avenue, Harwich
* Nauset Regional High School, 100 Cable Road, Eastham
A reminder that if using a shelter, please bring medication for at least 3 days with you. Pets are welcome. Transportation to the shelter by the Barnstable Police Department will be available by calling 508-775-0837, ext. 8. However, transportation MAY NOT be available during the height of the storm.
Last updated at January 26, 2015 01:27 PM
Governor Baker has signed an Executive Order allowing for the enforcement of a statewide travel ban effective at midnight. The following exceptions shall exist for the ban and all drivers are encouraged to remain safe and use their best judgment:
The travel ban will be lifted on a county by county basis as conditions allow, and exemptions to the travel ban are as follows:
A crippling and potentially historic Blizzard will impact the area mainly from late today into Tuesday, lingering into early Wednesday.
Blizzard Warning remains in effect from 7 pm this evening to noon EST Tuesday.
A Blizzard Warning is issued when sustained winds or frequent gusts over 35 mph are expected with considerable falling and/or blowing and drifting snow. Visibilities will become poor with Whiteout conditions at times. Those venturing outdoors may become lost or disoriented, so persons in the warning area are advised to stay indoors.
All unnecessary travel is discouraged beginning Monday afternoon. To allow people already on the road to safely reach their destination before the heavy snow begins, and to allow snow removal equipment to begin to clear roads.
Cotuit Civic Association Board Meeting – Tuesday January 6, 7pm, Cotuit Library
Town Council Meeting -Thursday January 8, 7pm, Town Hall
Roads Sub-Committee Meeting – Monday January 12, 5:30pm, Town Hall
Monthly Precinct 7 Open Meeting – Wednesday January 14, 3 – 5pm, Cotuit Library
Appointments Committee Interviews & Meeting – Tuesday January 13, 5:30pm, Town Hall
Town Manager Review Committee Meeting – Thursday January 22, 6pm, Town Hall
Town Council Meeting – Thursday January 22, 7pm, Town Hall
Cotuit Fire District Special Meeting – Thursday January 22, 7:30, Freedom Hall
Town Council Meeting -Thursday December 4, 7pm, Town Hall
Monthly Precinct 7 Open Meeting – Wednesday December 10, 3 – 5pm, Cotuit Library
Roads Sub-Committee Meeting – Monday December 15, 5:30pm, Town Hall
Town Council Meeting – Thursday December 18, 7pm, Town Hall
Roads Sub-Committee Meeting – Monday November 3, 5:30pm, Town Hall
Public Hearing on Shellfish Regulations – Thursday, November 6, 9am, Town Hall
Town Manager Review Committee Meeting – Thursday November 6, 5:30pm, Town Hall
Town Council Meeting -Thursday November 6, 7pm, Town Hall
Monthly Precinct 7 Open Meeting – Wednesday November 12, 3 – 5pm, Cotuit Library
Town Manager Review Committee Meeting – Wednesday, November 19, 5:30pm, Town Hall
Town Council Meeting – Thursday November 20, 7pm, Town Hall
Roads Sub-Committee Meeting – Monday November 24, 5:30pm, Town Hall
Barnstable Precinct 7 
You must be logged in to post a comment.