- On Wednesday I took a tour of the two new affordable housing projects being developed in West Barnstable. There is a twenty-eight unit family development with 18 two bedroom units and 10 three bedroom units off of Route 132 behind the YMCA. On the Lombard property off of Route 149, there is a twelve unit independent living elderly development nearing completion. Housing Assistance is the developer and will be managing these programs. These are impressive projects and solid additions to our housing stock.
- I met with the Growth Management Department to review our Arts and Culture program. There is the hope that a downtown Hyannis arts district can be created to link our Pearl Street efforts with the Guyer Barn and the waterfront seasonal artist shanties at Bismore Park. I hope to have more on this initiative after the first of the year. (There’s still time to shop local and Pearl Street, off Main Street, is a good place to visit!)
- I met with Deborah Converse from the Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. Deborah does a good job of scheduling sessions every few months to discuss economic issues in Barnstable and Town Hall appreciates the open line of communication.
- The Town has completed the purchase of the Percopio property in the center of the village of Cotuit. Funding was appropriated in 2007 through the Coastal Access Plan and negotiations have been ongoing. The existing gas station will be removed and needed parking will be created. Landscaping is also planned for the site. This project has been a priority of the Cotuit/Santuit Civic Association and Councilor Barry. Congratulations to all who worked so hard to make this purchase a reality.
- The final Town Council meeting of 2008 had a light agenda. Two grant items of significance were accepted. The Barnstable Police Department was awarded a $15,000 grant to participate in the current round of “Drunk Driving-Over the Limit; Under Arrest”, “Road Respect” and “Click It or Ticket“ mobilizations. Also, The US Department of Education made a grant award of $200,436 to the Town of Barnstable. The $200,436 grant funds will be used to offset recreational personnel and expense costs within the Hyannis Youth and Community Center budget.
- Assistant Town Manager Tom Lynch attended a second meeting (Friday, December 12, 2008) of interested parties to discuss the homeless situation in the village of Hyannis. The Leadership Council to End Homelessness has created a task force chaired by County Commissioner Mary LeClair to work on this matter. The goal is to find housing and services for the neediest homeless individuals living on the streets of Hyannis. Chief Paul MacDonald has identified those needing assistance. The Chief was also a member of the team which met with court officials to coordinate how to use the courts to get needed treatment for these individuals. On January 9, 2008 the task force is re-convening and much of the sub-committee work, including the actual work plan, should be completed by that meeting.
- In a related matter the Housing Assistance Corporation was awarded the regional homelessness grant of approximately $1,000,000. A portion of this money will be used to address the homeless individuals mentioned above.
- Storm Note: Residents 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 508.775.0387 or Administration 508.775.0920
Red Cross: 508.775.1540
NSTAR:1.800.592.2000
National Grid: 888-377-5325
If you find yourself in a life threatening situation always call 911
Channel 18 will be airing special programming and displaying emergency contact numbers during the storm event. We are New Englanders and used to what Mother Nature throws at us but being prepared for an emergency can make the disruptions caused by a storm go by a little easier.
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