Community

Cotuit Memorial Park

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Cotuit Memorial Park needs improvements and the Cotuit-Santuit Civic Association has taken on the task of creating a draft plan to be submitted to the Town for Capital Improvement Project consideration.

The thoughts behind the park improvements are to address the declining condition of the shade trees, improve flow of the paths and make them ADA compliant, correct the poor drainage near the playground and re-organize the three annual flower beds along Main Street. See Draft Plan Here presented at the November 28, 2017 Civic Association Meeting held at Freedom Hall.

The first sketch shows a bird’s eye view of the proposed park improvement.  The “spoke” of the paths would be pushed back to align with the library stairs; this would require removing two shade trees. The spoke would be enlarged and the WWII Memorial stone relocated to the center with the addition of a new flagpole and flower beds. The path directly opposite the library stairs would extend into the park and pass the other two memorials finishing at School Street.  Benches would be set at the flagpole/memorial area.  The draft plan includes reshaping the existing flower beds into softer more organic shapes, removing three existing Crab Apple trees and planting new Bradford Pear trees in the center of the flower beds. The second sketch shows the view from Main Street.  A new shade tree would be planted where the library parking lot juts out into the park and the library has offered to provide a spotlight from their building to illuminate the flagpole. The photo included is an example of what it might look like.

Keep posted as there is likely to be a “Friends of Cotuit Memorial Park” group formed to assist in the planning and fundraising efforts for the project.

Upcoming Precinct 7 & Town Council Meetings December

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Cotuit Prudential Committee Meeting – Friday Dec 1, 4pm, Freedom Hall

Town Council Committee to Assess Homelessness – Monday Dec 4, 6pm, Town Hall

Town Council Zoning & Regulation Review Committee – Thursday Dec 7, 6pm, Town Hall

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

Cotuit Fire Commissioner’s Meeting – Tuesday Dec 12, 5:30pm Freedom Hall

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

Cotuit Water Commissioner’s Meeting – Wednesday Dec 13, 5pm, Freedom Hall

Cotuit Water Commissioner’s Meeting – Wednesday Dec 13, 6pm, Freedom Hall

Cape Cod Commission Continued Public Hearing on proposed Cell Tower, Thursday Dec 14, 3pm, Barnstable County Courthouse

Cotuit Prudential Committee Meeting – Monday Dec 18, 5:30pm, Freedom Hall

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

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

Town Council Asset Management Advisory Committee – Thursday Dec 21, 6pm, Town Hall Cancelled

Town Council Meeting – Thursday Dec 21, 7pm, Town Hall

Town Council Roads Committee – TBD

Meeting Tuesday on Proposed New 170′ Cell Tower

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Cells on Wheels, former site of  water tower, 414 Main St., Cotuit

 


 

Meeting TUESDAY November 21, 5pm, Freedom Hall

UPDATE – 11/13/17 – See CCC Staff Report HERE

UPDATE – 11/1/17  Cell Tower, 414 Main St., Cotuit –  CCC Public Hearing Notice

View Project Files HERE
CCC CellTower Mtg Notice

UPDATE – 10/13/17: The Cape Cod Commission will be holding a Public Meeting on the project on Tuesday November 21, 2017 at 5pm, Freedom Hall, Main Street Cotuit 

UPDATE – 10/5/17: Hearing Officer (Procedural Only) – TowerNorth Telecommunications Monopole #TR17020
October 19, 2017
10:00 am
Location:
Cape Cod Commission, 3225 Main Street, Barnstable, MA 02630

A hearing officer for the Cape Cod Commission will hold a pro-forma hearing on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cape Cod Commission, 3225 Main Street, Route 6A, Barnstable, MA for the purpose of procedurally opening the public hearing period on Development of Regional Impact (DRI) review for the following project. The project is a mandatory DRI pursuant to Section 3 of the Cape Cod Commission’s Enabling Regulations Governing Review of Developments of Regional Impact. This notice is being published pursuant to Section 5 of the Cape Cod Commission Act.

Project Name: TowerNorth Telecommunications Monopole
Project Applicant: TowerNorth
Project Site/Location: 414 Main Street, Cotuit, MA
Project Description: Proposed construction of a 170 foot-telecommunications facility tower to serve wireless carriers located on the former Main Street water tank.
NOTE: The purpose of this hearing is to open the DRI hearing period on the project for procedural purposes only. No substantive presentations will be made, no testimony will be taken and no substantive action will be taken regarding this project at this hearing. Further notice will be provided at a future time when substantive project review commences.

Project documents may be viewed at the Cape Cod Commission office located at 3225 Main Street, Route 6A, Barnstable, MA 02630 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. For further information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the Commission office at (508) 362-3828. If you are deaf or hard of hearing or are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation, contact the Cape Cod Commission at (508) 362-3828; for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) dial 711.

UPDATE – 9/05/17: Photo Simulation of proposed cell tower HERE

UPDATE – 7/19/17: Read documents provided by Cotuit Water Department HERE pertaining to the Cotuit Fire District’s proposed new cell tower

UPDATE – 7/18/17:  The Cotuit/Santuit Civic Association will be hosting a public meeting 7:30 at Freedom Hall on Tuesday, July 18 where a representative from the proposed cell tower developer will be present to further discuss the project and answer questions about the project. The public is encouraged to attend.

UPDATE – 7/6/17: The following new Section 106 filing for the proposed cell tower has been submitted.

File Number: 0007844737
TCNS Number: 157671
Purpose: New Tower Submission Packet
Notification Date: 7AM EST 07/07/2017
Applicant: TowerNorth Development, LLC c/o Centerline Communications, LLC
Consultant: EnviroBusiness, Inc. d/b/a EBI Consulting (EBI 6117002280)
Positive Train Control Filing Subject to Expedited Treatment Under Program Comment: No
Site Name: Cotuit
Site Address: 414 Main Street
Detailed Description of Project: 6117002280 Proposed construction of a new telecommunications monopole and compound resulting in ground disturbance
Site Coordinates: 41-37-47.9 N, 70-26-30.7 W
City: Cotuit
County: BARNSTABLE
State:MA
Lead SHPO/THPO: Massachusetts Historical Commission

Consultant Contact Information:
EnviroBusiness, Inc. d/b/a EBI Consulting (EBI 6117002280)
21 B Street
Burlington, MA 01803
Phone: 914-434-2173
Email: agreen@ebiconsulting.com

UPDATE 6/23/17:  Cape Cod Times Article 6/23/17

IMG_4497

Balloon Test view from 414 Main St., Cotuit, 6/23/17

🎈📱📱🎈📱📱🎈📱📱🎈📱📱🎈📱📱

BALLOON TEST SCHEDULED FOR  Noon Friday June 23

IMG_4487

Osterville Cell Tower, South County Rd., Osterville

new-canaan-cell-lincoln-dri-1

Sample Test, Anywhere USA (Fall)

UPDATE 6/16/17: Opportunity to give public comment at Barnstable Historical Commission’s Meeting, Tuesday June 20, 4pm, Town Hall.  View Agenda HERE  If you would like to submit comments in writing email them to , Elizabeth Jenkins, Barnstable’s Director of Planning & Development elizabeth.jenkins@town.barnstable.ma.us or to Centerline Communications, the project proponent, bstern@centerlinecommunications.com View Public Notice 6/16/17 Barnstable Patriot HERE

According to Cotuit Water Department a balloon test is scheduled  for Friday, June 23, 2017 at 12pm. An engineering team from Chappell will be on site to fly the balloon and take view shed analysis photos from the surrounding area. In addition, there is a boat scheduled to obtain photos from Cotuit Bay. Photo simulations will be submitted with the applications, as required by the Town of Barnstable & the Cape Cod Commission.  The balloon will fly for 3+ hours and will include heights of 150’ and 170’.  The test will be coordinated by Jay Thibault, Senior Project Manager – Wireless Services Chappell Engineering Associates, LLC
201 Boston Post Road West, Suite 101
Marlborough, MA 01752
Office: 508.481.7400
Fax: 508.481.7406
Mobile: 617.335.4096
jthibault@chappellengineering.com

BACKGROUND

The Cotuit Water Commissioners have signed a contract with Centerline Construction to lease land for the development of a freestanding cell tower.

HERE are the preliminary engineering plans for the proposed cell tower to be located on Cotuit Fire District land. Further maps & info HERE

The consultant for T-Mobile Northeast LLC, (the Applicant) recently relayed the following to Elizabeth Jenkins, Barnstable’s Director of Planning & Development:

  • The tower will be moved towards the center of the site, but will remain on the drive to limit clearing
  •  A monopole tower with three initial carriers is proposed, with room for at least 3 co-locations
  • Height of proposed tower will be no taller than 170′ (height of decommissioned and demolished water tower)
  • They will be conducting a balloon test, date to be determined
  • They will advertise to the Civic Association and other interested parties

The proposed project is considered a Development of Regional Impact (DRI) that requires review by the Cape Cod Commission. See the Commission’s Guidelines for DRI Review of Wireless Communication Towers HERE

Send snail mail comments to: Project 6117002280-WRR, c/o EBI Consulting 21 B Street Burlington, MA 01808  or telephone (914) 434-2173

Check back for updates and public meeting notices.

Shellfishing Reopens Notice

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UPDATE: October 30, 2017 

EFFECTIVE: Opens at Sunrise Tuesday October 31, 2017

 

EFFECTIVE 0800 on October 26, 2017 the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has issued a rainfall closure for the harvest of shellfish in the Town of Barnstable with the exception of Popponesset Bay.  The closure will be in effect until rescinded by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.

READ NOTICE HERE

 

For updates & additional information contact MEA Supervisor, Douglas Kailweit 508-790-6272
8:30a-4:15p, M-F or email MEA Director, Dan.Horn@town.barnstable.ma.us

 

 

 

Upcoming Precinct 7 & Town Council Meetings November

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Town Council Shoestring Property Committee – Wednesday Nov 1, 6pm, Town Hall

Cotuit Water Commissioner’s Meeting – Wednesday Nov 1, 6pm, Freedom Hall

Town Council Zoning & Regulation Review Committee – Thursday Nov 2, 6pm, Town Hall

Town Council Meeting – Thursday Nov 2, 7pm, Town Hall

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

Election Day  2017 – Tuesday Nov 7, Vote 7am-8pm, Freedom Hall 

Precinct 7 Monthly Open Meeting – Wednesday Nov 8, 3-5pm, Cotuit Library

Cotuit Prudential Committee Meeting – Monday Nov 13, 4:30pm, Freedom Hall

Cotuit Fire Commissioner’s Meeting – Tuesday Nov 14, 5:30pm Freedom Hall

Cotuit Water Commissioner’s Meeting – Wednesday Nov 15, 6pm, Freedom Hall

Town Council Asset Management Advisory Committee – Thursday Nov 16, 6pm, Town Hall

Town Council Meeting – Thursday Nov 16, 7pm, Town Hall

Town Council Committee to Assess Homelessness – Monday Nov 20, 6pm, Town Hall

CC Commission Public Meeting re:414 Main St., Cotuit Cell Tower – Tuesday Nov 21, 5pm, Freedom Hall

Town Council Appointments Committee – Tuesday Nov 21, 5:30pm, Town Hall Cancelled

Cotuit Prudential Committee Meeting – Monday Nov 27, 6pm, Freedom Hall  Cancelled

Cotuit/Santuit Civic Association General Meeting – Tuesday Nov 28, 7pm, Freedom Hall

Town Council Roads Committee – TBD

Town to Hold Proposed Fee Change Hearing

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TOWN OF BARNSTABLE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

A public hearing on changes to various, permits and program fees that will take effect January 1, 2018 for FY 2018 within the Town of Barnstable will be held on November 7th, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in the New Town Hall Hearing Room, 2nd Floor, 367 Main Street, Hyannis, MA.  Information is available on the Town website atwww.town.barnstable.ma.us or in the Town Managers Office from 8:30 a.m.  to 4:30 p.m., located at the Town Hall 2nd floor, 367 Main Street, Hyannis, MA.  Proposed Fee Changes HERE

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

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VOTE – Tuesday October 24, 2017 12-8pm

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

Old King’s Road

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Attention users of Old King’s Road, Cotuit!

On Monday October 23, 2017 at 5:30pm the Town Council Road’s Sub Committee will be meeting in Town Hall and on the agenda will be a discussion of Old King’s Road. The Town considers this to be a “Private” road and yet it is heavily used as a bypass to Route 28, by the residents of the King’s Grant Development and those residing along the road. Not only has the condition of the road deteriorated, there is growing concern over the lack of storm drainage resulting in the winter sands/salts flooding directly into the Santuit River.

Residential Tax Information

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If you call the Town of Barnstable your primary residence you may qualify for the 20% Residential Tax Exemption. Find application form HERE Submit application prior to November 1, 2017  and if you qualify the exemption will be taken off your January 2018 Tax bill.  Call the Assessor’s office 8:30-4:30 M-F with any questions (508) 862-4022