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Barnstable Town Council · 2023–2025 Council · Regular meeting

September 18, 2025

11 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement.

Sources: Official minutes (PDF)

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Attendance

Present: Charles Bloom, Seth Burdick, Kristine Clark, John Crow, Mathew Levesque, Betty Ludtke, Jeffrey Mendes, Paul Neary, Paula Schnepp, Gordon Starr, Craig Tamash, Kristin Terkelsen, Felicia Penn

Absent: None

During the meeting:

  • Seth Burdick arrived late (6:09 pm)

Every vote, in order

To accept the minutes of September 4, 2025, as presented.

Minutes, page 3

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 13 present

Voted to accept the minutes of September 4, 2025, as presented.

From the minutes

“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the minutes of September 4, 2025, as presented. VOTE: PASSES 13 YES Roll Call: BLOOM, BURDICK, CLARK, CROW, LEVESQUE, LUDTKE, MENDES, NEARY, PENN, SCHNEPP, STARR, TAMASH, TERKELSEN.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

2025-195 Withdrawn: 2025-195 Authorizing The Town Manager To Execute A Development Agreement By And Among The Town Of Barnstable, Shoestring Properties, Llc, Located At 110 And 115 School Street, Main Street Times, Llc, Located A

Minutes, page 4

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 13 present

To withdrawn (2025-195: ORDERED: That the Town Council hereby authorizes the Town Manager pursuant to Section 9-6 of Chapter 9 and Chapter 168 of the Town Code of the Town of Barnstable (the “Code”), to enter into and execute a Development Agreement by and among the Town of Barnstable and three Applicants: 1. Shoestring Properties, LLC for the properties located at 110 & 115 School Street, Hyannis, MA 02601 (“Dockside”), as shown on Town of Barnstable Assessors Map 326, Parcels 121 and 125, and more particularly described in Book 10473, Page 204, and Book 642, Page 74. 2. Main Street Times LLC for properties located at 319 and 331 Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601 (“Cape Cod Times”), as shown on the Town of Barnstable)

From the minutes

“Upon a motion duly made and seconded it was ORDERED: That the Town Council hereby authorizes the Town Manager pursuant to Section 9-6 of Chapter 9 and Chapter 168 of the Town Code of the Town of Barnstable (the “Code”), to enter into and execute a Development Agreement by and among the Town of Barnstable and three Applicants: 1. Shoestring Properties, LLC for the properties located at 110 & 115 School Street, Hyannis, MA 02601 … VOTE: WITHDRAWN PASSES 13 YES Roll Call: BLOOM, BURDICK, CLARK, CROW, LEVESQUE, LUDTKE, MENDES, NEARY, PENN, SCHNEPP, STARR, TAMASH, TERKELSEN.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

2026-021 2026-021 Appropriation Order In The Amount Of $520,434 To Design And Construct Improvements To Cotuit Memorial Palk Located At 889 Main Street In Cotuit

Minutes, page 5

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 13 present

ORDERED: That pursuant to the provisions of the Community Preservation Act, G.L. c. 44B, the amount of $520,434 shall be appropriated to design and construct improvements to revitalize and improve Cotuit Memorial Park located at 889 Main Street in Cotuit, and to fund this appropriation that $406,262 be provided first from the amount set-aside for Open Space and Recreation within the Community Preservation Fund and secondly from the Community Preservation Undesignated Fund, and that $114,152 be provided from the Capital Trust fund; and that the Town Manager is authorized to contract for and expend the appropriation made available for this purpose, subject to oversight by the Community Preservation Committee.

From the minutes

“Upon a motion duly made and seconded it was ORDERED: That pursuant to the provisions of the Community Preservation Act, G.L. c. 44B, the amount of $520,434 shall be appropriated to design and construct improvements to revitalize and improve Cotuit Memorial Park located at 889 Main Street in Cotuit, and to fund this appropriation that $406,262 be provided first from the amount set-aside for Open Space and Recreation within the Community … VOTE: PASSES 13 YES Roll Call: BLOOM, BURDICK, CLARK, CROW, LEVESQUE, LUDTKE, MENDES, NEARY, PENN, SCHNEPP, STARR, TAMASH, TERKELSEN Break 8:00 pm - 8:13 pm.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

2026-028 2026-028 Vote On The Merits Of A Group Petition Requesting That The Town Take Action To Acquire And Preserve The Home Of Eugenia Fortes At 23 Pleasant Hill Lane And Establish A Permanent Wetlands Conservancy A

Minutes, page 7

ApprovePassed · 8–5

RESOLVED: That the Town Council does hereby vote to find that the group petition submitted to it on June 27, 2025, requesting that the Town take action to acquire and preserve the home of Eugenia Fortes at 23 Pleasant Hill Lane and establish a permanent wetlands conservancy at 32 Pleasant Hill Lane, as more specifically set forth in the petition attached hereto and incorporated herein, has merit.

Yes: Bloom, Clark, Crow, Ludtke, Mendes, Neary, Penn, TerkelsenNo: Burdick, Levesque, Schnepp, Starr, Tamash

From the minutes

“Upon a motion duly made and seconded it was RESOLVED: That the Town Council does hereby vote to find that the group petition submitted to it on June 27, 2025, requesting that the Town take action to acquire and preserve the home of Eugenia Fortes at 23 Pleasant Hill Lane and establish a permanent wetlands conservancy at 32 Pleasant Hill Lane, as more specifically set forth in the petition attached hereto and incorporated herein, has merit. VOTE: PASSES 8 YES 5 NO (BURDICK, LEVESQUE, SCHNEPP, STARR, TAMASH) Roll Call: BLOOM, CLARK, CROW, LUDTKE, MENDES, NEARY, PENN, TERKELSEN Councilor Levesque left the dais and the meeting. 2026 - 029 RESOLVE APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE TOWN OF BARNSTABLE 2025 HOUSING PRODUCTION PLAN DATED MAY 12, 2025 INTRO: 09/04/2025, 09/18/2025 Jim Kupfer, Planning and Development Director, gave the rationale with a PowerPoint presentation. Open Public Hearing seeing no one close public hearing Discussion:.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

WHEREAS, the Town of Barnstable 2025 Housing Production Plan contains a comprehensive housing needs assessment, affordable housing goals and implementation stra

Minutes, page 8

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 12 present

WHEREAS, the Town of Barnstable 2025 Housing Production Plan contains a comprehensive housing needs assessment, affordable housing goals and implementation strategies to achieve the Plan's goals and develop affordable housing in the Town of Barnstable; and WHEREAS, a draft of the Housing Production Plan has been made available for public review on the Town website since June 6, 2024; and WHEREAS, the Town of Barnstable draft Housing Production Plan was presented to the Town of Barnstable Planning Board at duly noticed public meetings held on June 24, 2024, October 28, 2024, and November 25, 2024; and WHEREAS, at its November 25, 2024 meeting, the Planning Board unanimously voted to recommend approval of the Housing Production Plan to the Barnstable Town Council; and WHEREAS, at its February 27, 2025 meeting, the Town Council voted to recommend further community outreach; and WHEREAS, a d

From the minutes

“Upon a motion duly made and seconded it was WHEREAS, the Town of Barnstable 2025 Housing Production Plan contains a comprehensive housing needs assessment, affordable housing goals and implementation strategies to achieve the Plan's goals and develop affordable housing in the Town of Barnstable; and WHEREAS, a draft of the Housing Production Plan has been made available for public review on the Town website since June 6, 2024; and … VOTE: PASSES 12 YES Roll Call: BLOOM, BURDICK, CLARK, CROW, LUDTKE, MENDES, NEARY, PENN, SCHNEPP, STARR, TAMASH, TERKELSEN.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 8 (PDF)

2026-031 2026-031 Authorization To Contract For And Expend A Fiscal Year 2026 Grant From The United States Department Of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service In The Amount Of $100,000 For Design Of The Up

Minutes, page 8

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 11 present

RESOLVED: That the Town Council does hereby authorize the Town Manager to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2026 Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service in the amount of $100,000 to further support design of the Upper Marstons Mills River Fish Passage Improvements Project.

From the minutes

“Upon a motion duly made and seconded it was RESOLVED: That the Town Council does hereby authorize the Town Manager to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2026 Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service in the amount of $100,000 to further support design of the Upper Marstons Mills River Fish Passage Improvements Project. VOTE: PASSES 11 YES Roll Call: BLOOM, BURDICK, CLARK, CROW, LUDTKE, MENDES, PENN, SCHNEPP, STARR, TAMASH, TERKELSEN.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 8 (PDF)

2026-032 2026-032 Authorization To Contract For And Expend A Fiscal Year 2026 Grant From The United States Department Of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service In The Amount Of $178,925 For The Design And C

Minutes, page 9

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 12 present

RESOLVED: That the Town Council does hereby authorize the Town Manager to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2026 Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service in the amount of $178,925 for the design and construction of the Little River Road Landing Stormwater Improvements Project.

From the minutes

“Upon a motion duly made and seconded it was RESOLVED: That the Town Council does hereby authorize the Town Manager to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2026 Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service in the amount of $178,925 for the design and construction of the Little River Road Landing Stormwater Improvements Project. VOTE: PASSES 12 YES Roll Call: BLOOM, BURDICK, CLARK, CROW, LUDTKE, MENDES, NEARY, PENN, SCHNEPP, STARR, TAMASH, TERKELSEN.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

2026-033 2026-033 Authorization To Contract For And Expend A Fiscal Year 2026 Municipal Digital Equity Implementation Grant From The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative In The Amount Of $100,000 For The Purpose Of U

Minutes, page 9

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 12 present

RESOLVED: That the Town Council does hereby authorize the Town Manager to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2026 Municipal Digital Equity Implementation grant in the amount of $100,000 from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative for the purpose of upgrading the public Wi-Fi at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center.

From the minutes

“Upon a motion duly made and seconded it was RESOLVED: That the Town Council does hereby authorize the Town Manager to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2026 Municipal Digital Equity Implementation grant in the amount of $100,000 from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative for the purpose of upgrading the public Wi-Fi at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center. VOTE: PASSES 12 YES Roll Call: BLOOM, BURDICK, CLARK, CROW, LUDTKE, MENDES, NEARY, PENN, SCHNEPP, STARR, TAMASH, TERKELSEN.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

2026-034 2026-034 Authorization To Contract For And Expend A Fiscal Year 2026 Regional Public Safety Answering Point And Regional Emergency Communications Center Development Grant In The Amount Of $861,378 From The Com

Minutes, page 9

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 12 present

RESOLVED: That the Town Council does hereby authorize the Town Manager to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2026 State 911 Department Regional Public Safety Answering Point and Regional Emergency Communications Center Development grant in the amount of $861,378 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to be used to fund the costs and planning associated with the architectural and engineering services, project management services, and transition expenses for salary costs needed in connection with the creation of a Regional Emergency Communications Center in the Town of Barnstable, which will include 911 services covering the Towns of Barnstable, Yarmouth and Sandwich.

From the minutes

“Upon a motion duly made and seconded it was RESOLVED: That the Town Council does hereby authorize the Town Manager to contract for and expend a Fiscal Year 2026 State 911 Department Regional Public Safety Answering Point and Regional Emergency Communications Center Development grant in the amount of $861,378 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to be used to fund the costs and planning … VOTE: PASSES 12 YES Roll Call: BLOOM, BURDICK, CLARK, CROW, LUDTKE, MENDES, NEARY, PENN, SCHNEPP, STARR, TAMASH, TERKELSEN.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

2026-035 Refer to second reading on 10/09/2025: 2026-035 Appointments To A Board/committee/commission

Minutes, page 9

ProceduralPassed · 12–0

To refer to second reading on 10/09/2025 (2026-035: RESOLVED: That the Town Council appoints the following individuals to a multiple-member Board/Committee/Commission: Disability Commission: Christopher Bartley as a regular member to a term expiring 6/30/2028; Planning Board: Catherine Finkenstaedt as a regular member to a term expiring 6/30/2028)

The minutes record 12 yes, 0 no, but do not name every member’s vote, so individual votes are not shown.

From the minutes

“Upon a motion duly made and seconded it was RESOLVED: That the Town Council appoints the following individuals to a multiple-member Board/Committee/Commission: Disability Commission: Christopher Bartley as a regular member to a term expiring 6/30/2028; Planning Board: Catherine Finkenstaedt as a regular member to a term expiring 6/30/2028 VOTE: REFER TO SECOND READING ON 10/09/2025 - PASSES 12 YES.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

2026-036 Refer to second reading on 10/09/2025: 2026-036 Reappointments To A Board/committee/commission

Minutes, page 10

ProceduralPassed · 12–0

To refer to second reading on 10/09/2025 (2026-036: RESOLVED: That the Town Council reappoints the following individuals to a multiple-member Board/Committee/Commission: Human Services Committee: Kimberly Crocker-Crowther as a regular member to a term expiring 6/30/2028; Planning Board: Raymond Sexton as a regular member to a term expiring 6/30/2028; Waterways Committee: Gary Shramek as a regular member to a term expiring 6/30/2028)

The minutes record 12 yes, 0 no, but do not name every member’s vote, so individual votes are not shown.

From the minutes

“Upon a motion duly made and seconded it was RESOLVED: That the Town Council reappoints the following individuals to a multiple-member Board/Committee/Commission: Human Services Committee: Kimberly Crocker-Crowther as a regular member to a term expiring 6/30/2028; Planning Board: Raymond Sexton as a regular member to a term expiring 6/30/2028; Waterways Committee: Gary Shramek as a regular member to a term expiring 6/30/2028 VOTE: REFER TO SECOND READING ON 10/09/2025 - PASSES 12 YES Roll Call:.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 10 (PDF)

From the Barnstable Town Council’s official minutes, posted on the town’s website. We check every roll call against the recorded count and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Member photos: Cape Cod Times (Charles Bloom, Kristine Clark, John Crow, Felicia Penn, Barry Sheingold, Gordon Starr, Craig Tamash); the members’ own websites (William Crocker, Thomas Keane, Betty Ludtke); Seth Burdick from the Cotuit-Santuit Civic Association. Matthew Levesque from his Commercial Realty Advisors bio. Lisa DaLuz from Barnstable Government Access video of the October 1, 2026 Town Council meeting (identified by the nameplate in front of each member).

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