From the Desk of Town Manager..
Town Manager Weekly Newsletter
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Friday, August 17, 2012
Issue: 2012-33  


  • On Barnstable This Morning I discussed the new smoking ban at Burgess Park, updated the viewers on a resident-led plan to create a dog park in town, and outlined plans to dredge in Barnstable Harbor and East Bay in Osterville. We talked about the benefits and challenges of dredging, especially the environmental impact of finding the right location for dredge spoils.
     
  • Thanks to the outstanding job by Finance Director Mark Milne and his staff, the Town of Barnstable has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the FY11 Annual Financial Report. This is the 10th consecutive year the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has given this award to Barnstable. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. Congratulations to Mark and staff on this most outstanding and significant accomplishment.
     
  • The HyArts Cultural District and Kennedy Legacy Trail were celebrated during an event Tuesday afternoon. I was joined by Senator Dan Wolf, Representatives Randy Hunt and Cleon Turner, Massachusetts Cultural Council Program Manager Meri Jenkins, and Arts Foundation of Cape Cod Executive Director Kevin Howard. The HyArts Cultural District is the first state designated Cultural District on Cape Cod, and the sixth in the state. The HyArts Cultural District was officially named on May 22nd, and the Kennedy Legacy trail debuted in Hyannis on May 29. Since then, the Trail has been enhanced by the addition of two large photos on the Pearl Street side of Sturgis Charter Public High School and by painted white "sails" on the sidewalks leading the way to each stop. Pictured below, proudly displaying the HyArts Cultural District sign are: Senator Wolf; State Representatives Hunt and Turner; Meri Jenkins; Town Councilors June Daley, Deb Dagwan and Jessica Rapp Grassetti; Director of Growth Management, Jo Ann Miller-Buntich; Arts and Culture Coordinator Melissa Hersh along with HyArts Cultural District partners Elizabeth Wurfbain of the Main Street BID; Jessica Sylver of the Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce and Roberta Miller of the Cape Cod Art Association.

     


     

  • The newly created Business Investments Map, designed by Barnstable's GIS office, is now available on the Town's website. The map can be accessed from the home page as well as directly from the Growth Management and Economic Development pages. This interactive map displays new, expanding, and redeveloped businesses and commercial properties within the Town of Barnstable. The map is intended as a reference tool to show recent commercial growth and economic development in Barnstable's activity centers. The map is also available at the Town's economic development website - www.BusinessBarnstable.com .
     
  • Congratulations to our Barnstable Lifeguards on taking home the division title for the fourth year in a row! This year’s lifeguard competition was held at Craigville Beach on Friday August 10th. Teams from across the Cape competed in events ranging from swimming to running to rescue.

     


     

  • Thousands of people flocked to downtown Hyannis last Sunday afternoon for the 27th Annual Pops by the Sea Concert. The day started out with a few raindrops but by the time the Boston Pops took the stage the sun was shining brightly over the crowd. Local acts performed on the bandstand on the village green prior to the Boston POPS Esplanade Orchestra taking the main stage. Conductor Keith Lockhart, guest conductor Jim Belushi, and a fabulous performance by Anne Hampton Calloway singing several Barbara Streisand favorites provided a show enjoyed by an audience of over fifteen thousand concert goers. The Star Spangled Banner was sung beautifully by rising star and Dennis resident Lily Mae Harrington. A very special thank you goes to Arts Foundation of Cape Cod Executive Director Kevin Howard and his dedicated staff and volunteers who ensure the success of this event.

     


     

  • We mentioned in a prior e-news that motorists may pass new digital speed limit signs designed to monitor speed on our roadways. The signs are programmed to record data and the rate of speed will be displayed if motorists are above the posted speed limit. Sgt Andy McKenna tells me he has received positive feedback on the signs and the data collected will assist the police with speed enforcement efforts.
     
  • On Wednesday we attended the Harbor Freight Tool Grand Opening hosted by the Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce. Harbor Freight Tools is located at 640 Iyannough Road-Route 132 and is a discount tool retailer.
     
  • The Barnstable Recreation Department’s annual Leisure Program Talent Show livened up the Hyannis Village Green on Thursday afternoon. Campers look forward to this day where they showcase a wide variety of performances which include their counselors. The campers certainly enjoy entertaining family, friends and fellow campers!
     
  • Channel 18 is now airing a brand new series, Homegrown Barnstable, bringing viewers to the backyards of Barnstable residents. This month features a three part series on backyard chickens. Visit with three Barnstable residents who raise chickens in their own backyards. It can be viewed on Channel 18 as well as online at www.town.barnstable.ma.us Check the website for the scheduled air times.
     
  • The 22nd Annual West Barnstable Village Festival is this Saturday from 10AM-4PM. The festival runs along Route 149 at the West Barnstable Community Building and the Old Village Store/Train Depot parking lot. There will be plenty of activities including a classic car show, art exhibit at Meetinghouse Farm, kids races, dunk tank, festival food, face painting, mini-steamer train rides and much more. Full details are available on line at www.westbarnstable.org
     
  • The Hyannis Youth and Community Center is always a busy place, this weekend is no exception. Stop by during the 2012 Cranberry Open Figure Skating Competition, sponsored by the Yarmouth Ice Club. The skating continues today and tomorrow. A free, fun event and on these hot summer days it will help keep you cool indoors! Stay informed with all the happenings at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center with their new e-newsletter. A valuable resource for all of the activities taking place year round, sign up today at Hyannis Youth and Community Center   |  Newsletter
     
  • Last week’s Fun Fact Answer: The first Annual Pops by the Sea Concert held on the Hyannis Village Green was in 1986 and Art Buchwald was the first guest conductor.
     
  • This week’s Fun Fact Question: As reported in the Cape Cod Times this week, the Shirley Historical Society donated footage of re-discovered home movies featuring Steamship travelers heading from Woods Hole to the Islands in the summer of 1934! In the mid-twentieth century in Hyannis, long before the Steamship and Hy-line, two companies operated ferry service to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Can you name either one? Email your answer here!

 

There is never a dull moment around town! Check out the events that take place daily:

·Barnstable Senior Center

·Hyartsdistrict

·Hyannis Youth& Community Center

 

 

Barnstable This Morning

Week in Review

August 13– August 17, 2012

 

Monday, August 13, 2012

 

Town Manger Tom Lynch chatted with us about a new smoking ban at Burgess Park, updated us on plans to create a dog park in town, and filled us in on dredging in Barnstable Harbor and potentially East Bay in Osterville.  As always, Cape Cod Community College Communications Director Michael Gross had lots to say – we covered Summer of Science, renewable energy, and some new courses and certificate programs launching at the College this fall.  With West Nile being detected in a Barnstable mosquito, we called on Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project Entomologist Gabrielle Sakolski to share with us information about this mosquito as well as the efforts she and her team undergo to trap and test mosquitoes across the region. Our news coverage included further information about West Nile virus, a recap of the wonderful Pops by the Sea event, and a story about the new vendor at the Scudder Family Café at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center.

 

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

 

Chief of Police Paul MacDonald discussed a tragic fatal accident in Cotuit over the weekend. The Chief also filled us in on the department’s work to control the crowd during the busy Pops by the Sea event.  Director of Regulatory Services Tom Geiler outlined some new regulations that hotel and restaurant owners will have to follow in order to renew their licenses.  Cape and Islands State Senator Dan Wolf commented on the importance of arts and culture to our local economy.  Our newscast included sounds and sights from Sunday’s Pops by the Sea concert; news that Cape Cod Beer is looking to expand service at its Phinney’s Lane Brewery; and information about three affordable homes for sale in Cotuit.

 

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

 

Wednesday is our day to focus on the business community.  Len Gobeil got things started with Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce CEO Wendy Northcross.  Wendy told Len about a recent luncheon with Senator Scott Brown. She also filled us in on the Open Cape project.  Laura Cronin of the Greater Hyannis Civic Association joined us in-studio to detail the work of the Landlord and Rental Regulations task force.  And, once again, Barnstable has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.  Director of Finance Mark Milne talked about how the Government Finance Officers Association grades financial reports, and why Barnstable’s FY11 report received this honor.  News coverage Wednesday included stories about the official dedication of the HyArts Cultural District and Kennedy Legacy Trail, an update on parking at Sandy Neck, and one business owner’s plans to erect a wind turbine on his property in Marstons Mills.

 

Thursday, August 16, 2012

 

A shark was spotted off the coast of Sandy Neck this week – Sandy Neck Beach Park Manager Nina Coleman joined us live via phone to give us the latest on the great white sighting.  Then, we took a trip over to the airport, where Chef Ralph Binder welcomed us into his newly opened Mad Platter Café.  Our Senior Services Segment featured Senior Center Outreach Coordinator Claudia Borden, who talked about the upcoming enrollment period for Medicare; gave us information on fuel assistance; and talked about real estate assistance programs offered in the region.  News Thursday included stories about the great white sighting in Barnstable; scenes from the HyArts dedication on Tuesday; and a preview of the Wings of Freedom tour coming next month to Barnstable Municipal Airport.

 

Friday, August 17, 2012

 

Fun Friday began with our weekly Arts and Culture Segment.  Melissa Chartrand welcomed artist Jean Carbonell in-studio to preview the West Barnstable Village Festival taking place this weekend. We headed over to the HYCC next – where Hyannis Youth and Community Center Joe Izzo was busy amidst the Cranberry Open taking place this week – skaters from across the region from youth to adult were showing their skills in this year’s competition. Joe also talked about the HYCC’s new e-newsletter that just came out, as well as plans for the HYCC’s third birthday party coming up in September.  It’s hard to believe, but Cape Cod Baseball League season has come and gone. Len Gobeil spoke with Cotuit Kettleers President Paul Logan about the Kettleers’ 2012 season.  News Friday included coverage of the Sandy Neck shark sighting; the Ocean Street design meeting, and  

 






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