· On Wednesday the Senior Center held an Open House celebrating the 12th Anniversary of the Barnstable Adult Supportive Day Program. Event guests learned how this program provides respite and support for caregivers and engaging activities for seniors in our community. Director of Senior Services Madeline Taylor reported the Open House was a success as many toured the new Center’s Garden Level, including Town Council President Frederick Chirigotis, and all enjoyed homemade Italian Wedding soup and apple crisp! Kudos to staff members Rose DiGregorio and Stacey Cullen.
· We had over 80 third graders from the Barnstable Community Horace Mann Public Charter School (old Hyannis East) visit Town Hall on Tuesday. They are studying community and government. These future leaders met in the Town Council Hearing Room and conducted a meeting to discuss town business. Based on their questions I believe we had some future elected officials in the crowd!
· We are relieved that the crew members of the fishing boat Carol & Allison were located safe and sound yesterday morning. We thank our harbormaster staff for their role in the efforts to locate the missing fishing boat and its (2) crew members after receiving a call from the United States Coast Guard requesting our assistance. The call to us came at approximately 4:15 pm on Wednesday, October 28th. Assistant Harbormasters Gibbs and Smoller boarded the Division's (new) northside boat (24' Boston Whaler), and proceeded the "BH" entrance buoy to Barnstable Harbor attempting to locate the missing boat by using radar. Weather was a factor in the search efforts. Sandy Neck staff also participated in the search by driving the length of beach looking for any related sightings.
· On Wednesday, October 28th, Mark Ells, Director of Department of Public Works, spoke at a wastewater planning workshop sponsored by the Waquoit Bay Reserve Coastal Training Program, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Citizens for the Protection of Waquoit Bay. The workshop, “Understanding and Navigating the Regulatory Framework for Wasterwater Planning”, attended by local officials, municipal staff, volunteers on local boards who have a role in wastewater matters, engineers and environmental groups broke down the complex regulatory framework within which municipal and regional wastewater planning efforts occur in Massachusetts. Participants left with a very clear understanding of the regulatory context within which wastewater planning efforts take place and how to better prepare for their town’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) journey. As each Cape Town is struggling to address this public policy issue, Mark Ells stressed the importance of this issue. He had the opportunity to share Town of Barnstable experiences in obtaining approval from MEPA and Cape Cod Commission for the Comprehensive Water Management Plan at the Hyannis Water Pollution Control Facility. Understanding the time it takes to prepare a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan that accurately reflects the needs of a community and recommends real solutions was a challenging and dynamic process. Mark believes the establishment of an effective communication process with the regulatory agencies was a critical component in Barnstable's success.
· Saturday, is Safe Trick or Treat Night on Main Street, Hyannis. Use caution as our little ghosts and goblins make their way to the participating businesses! Main Street Hyannis is hosting its 20th Annual Safe Trick or Treat from 4:00PM-6:00PM, providing a fun, safe way to enjoy the fresh air, meet local merchants and be able to see all the wonderful costumes. The Main Street Merchants have terrific treats to pass out. From 2:30 PM to 3:45 PM the Hyannis Public Library will be having Halloween fun which includes face painting, stories, dancing, crafts, and snacks. 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM there will be a 3-6 year old “cutest costume contest” at the Palio’s/Cape Bowl little plaza.
· Next Tuesday is Election Day. There are several Town Council races and the Charter Question before the voters.