ANNOUNCEMENTS & INFO

Shellfishing Closed

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Due to heavy rains, the Town of Barnstable is CLOSED TO ALL HARVEST OF SHELLFISH until further notice per order of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.

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

 

 

 

Massachusetts School Building Authority Project at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School

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UPDATED- View 8/15/17  Q & A HERE

The Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in Harwich is proposing to demolish the existing technical school and construct a new facilty with an estimated cost of $128 Million (Updated 8/1/17). The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) will provide a grant of approximately 32% or $38.4million and the Regional School District (RSD) will issue a bond for the remaining 68% or $89.6 million payable by the twelve Towns that make up the RSD.

The Town of Barnstable’s  FY18 assessment from the RSD is $3,535,665 and enrollment is 183 students. This equates to approximately $19,320 per student. Based on current enrollments the assessment would increase to $5.22 million, or 47%, resulting in a new per student cost of $28,525.  Barnstable students currently comprise approximately 29% of the student population at the RSD which would result in an estimated increase in the town’s assessment of $1.68 million.

The Town would have either to cut its operating budget by $1.68  million and redirect these funds to the RSD assessment or raise property taxes to cover the increase. The allowable increase in the tax levy under Proposition 2 1⁄2, including the estimated new property tax growth, is approximately $3.7 million. The $1.68 million increase in the RSD assessment consumes nearly one-half of the Town’s tax levy growth leaving $2 million to cover the cost increases in the rest of the Town’s $157 million operating budget, as well as any possible reductions in revenue sources such as state aid and other local receipts.

TAX LEVY OVERRIDE OPTION 

The Town can fund this increase in the RSD assessment so that it does not affect the available resources for the rest of the Town’s operating budget by seeking to authorize a debt exclusion override, exempting the increased assessment of the RSD from the limits of Proposition 21⁄2. This would add the $1.68 million increase in the RSD assessment on top of the allowable tax levy increase under Proposition 21⁄2. Town of Barnstable has scheduled an election for a Proposition 2 1⁄2 Debt Exclusion override vote on  September 19, 2017 with the polls open from 7AM – 8PM. This vote is to see if the voters will approve a debt exclusion for this project. A majority of voters in town is needed to approve this tax levy override option.

View Q&A regarding the debt exclusion and how your tax bill will be impacted HERE

BALLOT ELECTION

The ballot election seeks to authorize Cape Cod Tech to borrow for the construction of the new facility. This vote will take place in Barnstable and the other eleven district towns on October 24, 2017 with the polls open from 12PM – 8PM. (Note polls open only 8 hours) The election is governed by the district’s regional agreement and Massachusetts General Law Chapter 71 Section 16 (n).

View Cape Cod Tech info page HERE

2017 Open Space & Recreation Plan Update

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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.