[Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] The Steamship Authority is a proud partner in many Falmouth community
events, including town meeting coverage, and for good reason. Not only do we have a terminal and offices here, about onethird of our employees call Falmouth their home. We always work hard to serve our neighbors, friends, and the traveling public. We recently put seven new electric buses into service at our Falmouth parking lots. Soon we'll be
adding new vessels to our fleet, continuing work on our energy efficient woodsole terminal buildings, and adding solar panels at our largest parking lot. At the Steamship Authority, we're serving the islands and you. Welcome to the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce.
The Falmouth Chamber is dedicated to working on behalf of our members to make Falmouth a better place to live, work, and conduct business. We are committed to developing the economic, cultural, educational, and civic interests of our community and welcome the support from all organizations to achieve our
combined goals. Whether you call Falmouth at home, are a summer resident, or a visitor, we hope you take advantage of all that the chamber has to offer. Hosting services for fct.org are provided by Megaet Communications. Megaet offers a wide array of internet
services including mega backup cloud service collocation T1 fiber metro Ethernet as well as telephone services such as hosted PBX and digital voice. Their number one goal is to keep your communications network up and running and allow you to focus on growing your
business. 877-6342638 or meganet.net. [Music] Good evening. This is the meeting of the Falmouth Select Board. It is Monday, May 5th, 2025 at exactly six o'clock. And at this time, I would entertain a motion to
go into executive session to discuss Mass General Law Chapter 3A section 21A3 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining communications officers ask me council
93 unit C. So move. Second. Okay. Have a motion and a second. I need a roll call vote, please. Silinsky. I Miss Scaly. I Goldstone. I Brown. I Taylor I and the board will return to open session at 6:30.
Good evening and welcome to the meeting of the Falmouth Select Board. The board is just returning from executive session. It is Monday, May 5th, 2025, and it is exactly 6:32. Um, and I'd like to call this meeting to order. Two things. Please, if
you have cell phones, please silence them and double check that they are indeed silenced. And number two, uh, please notify me if the as the chair if you are making a video or a audio recording of this open session meeting and the placement and operation of this recording equipment should not interfere
with the conduct of this meeting. Thank you, sir. Okay. I would ask you to please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay. And this evening we have two proclamations and we the first one is the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce 2025 outstanding citizen of the year Kathy
Walwrath and I would ask Mr. Mscali to please read the pro proclamation. Uh thank you Madam Chair. Whereas the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce annually acknowledges and pays tribute to a citizen of the town of Felmouth who has made a lasting positive impact on the
community through participation in a broad scope of activity and whose commitment to the town has been demonstrated by many years of service beyond his or her profession. And whereas Kathy Walth is an exceptional citizen of the town of Felmouth,
Massachusetts and New England, well known to all for her professional accomplishments and widespread contributions to the betterment of society. And whereas Kathy Walth is a model citizen admired and esteemed for
successfully balancing her devotion to family with years of integrity, tireless civic participation, and commitment to community progress. And whereas Kathy Walth quietly works to build a better town, to build the physical and moral
fiber of our youngsters, to support the active boards and committee so vital to all our interests, to preserve Falmouth open space, and to protect the values and rich character of Fmouth Cape Cod. And whereas Kathy Walrus's many
accomplishments and contributions singularly and collectively are memorialized in the minds of those she has touched and chronicled on the pages of organizations across this town. And as she continues to make a difference in the town of Felmouth, we do hear and
declare this citizen is worthy of high praise and great recognition. And now therefore we Nancy Robbins Taylor Edwin P. Scott Solinsky II Douglas C. Brown, Robert P. Mscali, Heather MH Goldstone, as members of the select board of the town of Felmouth, by
the authority vested in us, vested in us, do proclaim Kathy Walworth, Felmouth's 2025 outstanding citizen of the year. In witness whereof, we have set our hand and caused the great seal of the town of Falmouth to
be to be affixed. Thank you. Thank you. Is Miss Wreth here? I don't see her. He is not. Okay, we will get that to her. Well, I'll I'll be at the chamber dinner on uh Thursday and I'll give it to I'll read it out there to Thank you, sir.
Okay. And our second one is the town of Falmouth Junth committee proclamation. I believe we have two members from the committee here with us. Mr. Charles Evan and Mr. Paul Glass. Thank you for being here with us. Mr. Brown.
Whereas Junth, officially recognized as Junth National Independence Day, commemorates June 19th, 1865, the historic day when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveastston, Texas, and enforced the emancipation proclamation marking the final
liberation of enslaved African-Americans. And whereas Junth symbolizes the resilience, determination, and achievements of African-Americans while serving as a reminder of our nation's complex history and the enduring pursuit of freedom, justice,
equality. And whereas the Commonwealth of Massachusetts formally recognizes Junth as a state holiday, and in 2021, the United States designated as a federal holiday, further acknowledging its profound significance to American history and culture. Whereas the town of
Felmouth is committed to fostering racial unity, promoting social justice, and ensuring that the lessons of history contribute to a more welcoming, inclusive, and equitable future for all residents. And whereas Junth provides an opportunity for education, reflection,
and action, allowing the Falmouth community to remember the past, celebrate the contributions of civil rights leaders, and work towards racial reconciliation and justice for all. And whereas Felmouth is dedicated to education educating its residents about
the importance of Junth, including cultural traditions such as the libation ceremony, celebrating both past and present civil rights leaders, and promoting understanding and healing to strengthen racial relationships for future generations. Now therefore, be it
resolved, the town of Felmouth does hereby recognize June 19th, 2025 as June Junth Independence Day and encourages all residents, businesses, and community organizations to observe this day with meaningful reflection, education, and
community engagement. In witness whereof, we Nancy Robbins Taylor, Edwin P. Zalinsky II, Douglas C. Brown, Robert P. Mscali and Heather H MH Goldstone as members of the select board of the town of Felmouth do hereby affix our
signatures and seal this fifth day of May 2025. Would one of you like to take this proclamation accept it? Thank you very much and congratulations. Thank you. Thank you.
Okay, moving on. Any recognitions tonight from the board? Miss Goldstone, I would uh like to recognize the Falmouth uh bike and pedestrian committee for a fabulous uh organizing a fabulous reopening of the bikeway event
uh yesterday afternoon. The bike lab was there. There were cookies and water bottles and all sorts of great stuff. And it was an absolutely beautiful day to get out on our newly reopened bike path. Nice. Any other recognitions from the board?
Thank you, M. Goldstone. Announcements. Any announcements from the board for the good of the public? Well, just as I mentioned before, the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce will be having their annual uh dinner at the Serest on Thursday evening. Uh I think it starts at 5:00.
So, and the police gale is on Friday at the Serest. I'll be there. You'll be living at the Serest. And at the risk of sounding like a broken record, May 17th, and since our Junth committee members just left, uh uh Junth celebrations kick off actually on May 17th with the Opal
Lee Community Walk uh that morning. And then uh that evening is actually the Famouth High School prom uh prom after celebration uh after prom celebration is still uh to quote uh the email I got today, desperately seeking volunteers,
anybody who has some time to give on May 17th that evening. Uh it is well worth it to keep our high school students safe and our roads safe that evening. And it's actually a really fun event. So it really is. Anything else from the board?
Is anyone here for public comment? Public comment, Mr. McConny. Sure. They're not the public something. Yeah, you're throwing me off here. Peter McCanny, director of public works. as the director of public works and
responsible for the utilities in Falmouth and the safe drinking water of Long Pond and for the project that has been um uh that creeped up on us since uh November of 2024, the Trotting Park youth baseball fields. I just wanted to make a I thought it was appropriate for me to make a few comments and some
clarifications on the project um and as we're going forward what to expect. So when the project first uh started and well when we first became aware and the project first started for the town um for environmental cleanup was in uh late November we engaged there was a lot of
information that was coming out through the town a lot of information that was being circulated and we were getting emails at at public works uh to answer some uh some direct questions. It's very hard. We don't if we don't have the information we can't answer the
questions. We don't know what we don't know. So what was created through the town is we we create we um made a uh on the website one spot where on the website all information will go for the for the field. So when we were getting those emails we were directing people to
the to that spot to the website to say when that information becomes available it'll be up on the website. So what had happened is obviously the complex closed in early January when the soil samples were identified and it had lead and concentrations they were above
the mass DP standards. So additionally after that Arcadus who was our environmental consult consultant they performed uh required groundwater sampling around the perimeter of the site to confirm the gu flow and the test of the groundwater for the MCL
exceedences. Um, six groundwater monitoring wells were installed. The wells were confirmed that the groundwater does flow east to in the opposite direction of Long Pond. One of the one of the groundwater wells uh monitoring well
WMW2. It detected tetochloroethylene and it basically ensured ethylene tetochloroethylene is PCE. It it was above the standard. PCE is widely used as an industrial chemicals and it's primarily used as solvents for dry cleaning and metal
degreasing. There are other applications for that but that's primarily where it is used. Typically when the environmental uh times when the environmental company goes out and and installs groundwater uh monitoring wells, what happens is just the process
of installing the wells, digging the ground, pushing the um the samples and the monitoring wells in disturbs the ground and it can create some false readings. Because that uh well had a high reading much higher than the other readings. our our consultant went out
and performed a second round of um um samples. Those samples are due back. We should have the samples back by the end of this week. So, we'll have clarification if that was just a random well with a with a bad number or that the uh the numbers were
accurate. So, additionally, lead was the primary contaminant found at the landfill and that was below detection limits and all the all the uh Mr. McCanny, your time has expired. One more. one 30 seconds very quickly. So, the town did announce recently that
they will be holding a community forum. It's on Thursday, May 22nd. And the forum will be held at 6:30 at the Lawrence School. It'll be uh town management, our consultant, and myself will be there to answer questions. Thank you. And just as a reminder, um we this
matter was not on our agenda this evening. Therefore, we will not have any discussion debate um on this issue. Thank you, Mr. McConny. Okay, we're going to move into committee interviews and our first committee interview is the
Conservation Commission, Ronald Bowman. Mr. Bowman, Mr. Bowman, is there anything that you would like the board to know about you that is not in your application? Uh, I think I got everything on there.
Questions would be happy to answer them. Questions or comments from the board? Mr. Brown, I have a comment that I appreciate having another contractor getting involved in uh regulatory matters. So, thank you. You're welcome. Any other questions or
comments? I'm curious what prompted your uh Miss Goldstone, sorry, but curious what prompted your application. Now, I knew that there was there were needing members. I'm I'm I'm always down downstairs in the building department and uh like I said, I grew up in this town, born and raised. My family lineage
goes back six generations. Um you know, I grew up in the out outdoors, hunting, fishing. I think it's very important that we protect and preserve this environment. So, I I thought I'd you know, and I also think it's very important to donate time, give back to the town. So, I've done that in the
past. So, that's what I'm doing. Thank you. With that, Madam Chair, I'd be prepared to make a motion to appoint the applicant, Ra. Ronald Bowman, to fill an alternate member vacancy on the Conservation Commission with a term that
expires June 30, 2026. Second. I'm sorry. Okay. I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion amongst the board? Seeing none, all those in favor? I I unanimous. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thanks, Juan. Okay. Hey, human services committee. William
Huff. Mr. Huff, I'll ask you the same question. Is there anything that you need to share with us that it was not included in your application? I don't believe so. Okay. Does anybody not know
how Okay. How about questions or comments for him, please? Uh comment. I just comment. Uh thank you for coming back to getting more involved. must had get a little bored with your time off, huh? Looking forward to it. I think you'll be a great fit for this
committee. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Questions or comments? Mr. Huff would be a wonderful addition to any commission he or committee he would like to join. Is that a motion, Mr. Mscali, or would you like to read it for me? Uh, I will make a motion to appoint William Huff to
a position on the human services committee to fill the vacancy with a term ending. It could be June 20 27 or 2025. Which would you prefer, Bill? Let's go. 27 uh term ending June the option. Don't
give him the option, Mr. We like to keep people happy here. Thank you, Bill. Yep. That's a motion. Okay, we have a motion. We have a motion in a second. Any further discussion amongst the board? Seeing none, all those in favor? Unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Okay. Shortterm rental advisory committee. Cara Foley. Is Cara here? Welcome. Thank you. Same question. Is there anything in addition uh that you would like the board to know about you that was not in your application? Cara, I don't think so.
Okay. Questions, comments. Mr. Brown. Miss Foley participated in the working group and she's very knowledgeable about the issues at hand and I think she'd be a great addition to the committee. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Miss Goldstone? I guess I
would um be curious to hear your take um given your varied involvement um about I don't know if you had to come down as as benefit or detriment to the town in terms of short-term rentals. Where's the the balance there? Do I think that there's a balance? I do.
But I think there's um I think there's some more research that needs to be done. We need we need more information to wrap our arms around what's actually happening. So that was one of the things that we addressed in the working group. Um but I don't think we have a firm
handle on what's actually going on. Okay, that's accurate. We identified the need for more information. Yeah. Thank you. Sorry. Any other questions or comments? I'd entertain a motion.
Motion to appoint Cara Foley uh to the licensed realtor position on the short-term rental working group or advisory committee. Excuse me. I'll second Doug. No, go ahead. I'll second Miss Coulstone's motion, Madam Chair. Okay. I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion amongst the board?
Seeing none, all those in favor? I unanimous. Thank you. Let's get that group going up there now. Okay, it is now 6:48. We can move into our public hearing. Mr. Zalinsky for the notice, please. Thank you, Madam Chair. Notice hereby given under chapter 138 of
general laws as amended that Manset Circle, Inc. doing business as Daily Brew has applied for an allalcoholic beverage restaurant license to be exercised at 412 North Falmouth Highway, North Falmouth, Mass. A hearing on the above application will be held in
the select board meeting room Falmouth town hall on Monday, May 5th, 2025 at 6:45 p.m. Comments may be sent to select boardfammouth ma.gov for order of the select board. Nancy Robbins Taylor, Edwin P. Zalinsky II, Douglas C. Brown,
Robert P. Mscali, Heather MH Goldstone. Thank you, Mr. Zillinsky. Attorney Clower, I you are here as a representative for the applicant. I am. That's correct. Okay. Would you like to start? Absolutely. Um, again, for the record, Kevin Clower. Uh, I'm before you representing Megans at Circle, Inc., Can
you speak into that, Mike just a little bit, Kevin? U For the record, Kevin Clower. I am before you representing Megan at Circle, Inc., uh, doing business as the Daily Brew. I'm joined tonight by the owners, Kathy and John Hickey, as well as Kathy's daughter, Sarah Hannon, who is the proposed
manager, uh, of this establishment. I think we did a lot of the heavy lifting on this last week, but for the for the record, go over a few points. Um, the Hickeys have owned and operated the Daily Brew in its current location in Kamit for the last 13 years. Uh, as we
discussed, this is relocating to 412 North Fmouth Highway. Uh, they just closed on the property uh, this past week and they're looking to open, you know, relatively shortly. Uh in addition to coffee and light fair breakfast and lunch, they're seeking to provide um
alcohol with an all alcohol liquor license. Again, the proposed manager is Sarah Hannon, who's worked at the Daily Brew since it opened. Uh so she has 13 years of experience there and is TIP certified. Uh that was submitted in the file. This particular site, we have 144
uh seat restaurant, which is entirely interior. There is no proposed exterior uh dining or entertainment. Um they're looking to provide customers with options. You know, many would enjoy a beer or a cocktail with food. Um and it's rent really as an amenity to
customers there. This is really a family-friendly destination. Uh and is meant to be that just that. Um in my opinion, this is a great addition to North Falmouth. Uh I along with Miss Hannon or the Hickeys would be glad to address any questions that the board
might have. Um and otherwise, thank you for your time. Thank you. questions, comments from the board. Miss Goldstone, a question about uh Miss Hannon's the proposed manager's um experience with um liquor licenses. The 13 years of
experience with Daily Brew. Um other listed experience was not in the the hospitality business. She has waitressed at a number of locations. Um has not been a manager of record at a prior establishment, but you have to start somewhere. Thank you.
Any other questions or comments? Uh, Mr. Brown, I would just say I see on Miss Hannah's uh application that she says that she has worked at the Daily Brew since 2012. There's a couple of other jobs in between. Just want to know
that this will now be the full-time occupation being the manager. Is that correct? Okay. Thank you. And we've had that conversation about being on site for the majority of the time that it's open and the responsibility that comes with being a manager for a liquor license. Very good. Any other questions
or comments? No. Any comments from the public on this application? Yes. She's back for the sign. I'm back again. Yes, you are. I like my father and the youngest and I speak freely. Could you
introduce yourself? Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Nancy Weiner Bizinary. Thank you. Um, I am Bill Leer. Bill and Lee Weiner's daughter and my sister Terry is here also. Um, ever since the last meeting, uh, we have had the opportunity to meet
the Hickeys in person and they have been very gracious in inviting us back into the lounge to see what they're doing and also extending if there was anything special that we wanted from the lounge, they offered it to us, which was very,
very nice of them. So, um, I do want to say that once again, I think my parents would be very pleased with this operation. I think that they would fully support the music. They would also support having the license. My father went through a
lot when he went to a year- round license, and back in that day, they it took a lot to get a year- round license. Um, I think it will enhance the property and will bring continuity to it. So, I'm hoping that you will okay this and give
them that opportunity. Question. Thank you. Thank you. I have a question, ma'am. What's your impression of Miss Hannon? I in little that I've known her, she has been very open, very down to earth, very
friendly. Um, and I am impressed with the business that they have had success in for the last 13 years. Um, I can see that they are doing a lot in the lounge and I'm impressed um with what she's
doing so far. I think this will help with, like I said, with the music venue um and having uh a license as they go later into the evening. Um, that would be a big plus. And this establishment
has been in business since 1938 and has always been a lounge. Um, so I think that that would be a definite plus. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Any other public comment on this application? Okay, seeing none, I would entertain a motion to close the hearing.
So moved. Second. Okay. I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion amongst the board? Seeing none, all those in favor? I. Discussion amongst the board. I move approval. Madam Chair, you want me to read the You get it? Yeah. No, go ahead. Madam Chair, I'd make a motion to approve the application
for the all alcoholic beverage restaurant license, Mecanset Circle, Inc. doing business as Daily Brew at 412 North Felmouth Highway as presented. I'll second. Okay, I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion amongst the board? Seeing none, all those in
favor? I. It's unanimous. Congratulations. Thank you. We really appreciate your time. Okay, we're going to move right into business and we have our district attorney here with us. 101 permission approach with a copy of
my annual report. Thank you for distribution. Certainly copies there. Okay. Thank you. I want to stick around again. Good evening everyone. Um, thank you for your time this evening. I realize you have quite a full agenda. I reviewed it. So, I'll keep my remarks uh
under 10 minutes. As you know, I try to come before you. I do come before you uh this time every year. This is my third time presenting to this board with an update. Just introduce yourself, please, just for people at home. Technical. Uh my name is Rob Gallabo. I am the district attorney for Cape Cod and the
islands. Um so, there are five topics that I briefly wanted to talk about tonight. And again, I promise to keep it under 10 minutes about what we've been doing for the past year since I last appeared before you. About six weeks ago now, we launched a new program called
CERT, uh, child emergency response team. And what it is is a collaborative effort between our office, prosecutors and victim witness assistants, our law enforcement partners, of course, as well as DCF or the Department of Child and Family Services, and Children's Cove, uh
where we conduct our forensic interviews and examinations of our most vulnerable victims. Uh it's led by the chief of our child protection unit, Courtney Scalesi. And um what happens is whenever we become aware of a physical or sexual assault upon a child, that team is
notified uh to try to begin, you know, try to fully investigate uh the matter as quickly as possible and provide the necessary resources to our victim and the victim's family in as much of real time as we possibly can. Since this launched about 6 weeks ago, Courtney has
conducted two trainings here on the Cape. Uh each training had north of 60 attendees. So we're feeling pretty confident that it's off to a pretty good start. Uh and I'm looking forward to coming back next year to uh report back how the program's been doing for the past year. May I ask a question about
the program? So um school teachers, counselors, social workers, they are all mandated reporters. They are. So they report to DCF. And then does DCF notify your office? I'm just I'm wondering about the connection between your office and this
team and the schools. Okay. So, depending on which school district you're speaking to, we have three district courts here on Barstable uh county and one on each island. So, wherever the appropriate district court is for that particular event. The assistant district attorney and the victim witness assistant for that
particular uh area would be notified first. Uh upon initial review, depending on the severity, it may get reviewed by a superior court prosecutor. It may stay at the district court level, but what happens is that connection, if you will, is practically instant under this model
that we've just created. Perfect. Thank you. Um, I also wanted to talk about human trafficking. Last year when I came before you, I explained that we had received a grant of just about $100,000 from the office of grant and research. And what we did with the funds at that time is uh we conducted a series of
trainings, a total of four. Uh, two here in Barnstable County, one over on Nantucket, and one in Martha's Vineyard. and we uh provided training services for law enforcement folks, for hospitality industry as well as the transportation industry. After that year, we got back
together to say, "Okay, what can we do next?" And we u put together a proposal to run a statewide conference. Um the Office of Grant and Research accepted that proposal. They gave us another $100,000. Uh we had this two-day
statewide conference just last month in April over in Hyannis. We had over 200 registered attendees on each day. We had 38 uh speakers from all across the country uh that again addressed folks in the law enforcement industry,
hospitality, transportation as well as secondary education. Um while it was a national we had national speakers, it was nice to see we had some local speakers including Detective Katie Parach from the Bronzeville Police Department. and she's kind of considered the guru, if you will, uh, in
Bronzeville County for human trafficking investigations. We had Dr. Abigail Judge and Sergeant Mark Sullivan uh, from Boston PD's HEAT program. Uh, we also had the fi the entire five member team uh, human trafficking team from the US attorney's office come down to do a
presentation as well as US attorney herself, Leah Foley, came down uh, to introduce her team. Uh the members of office of grant and research also attended both days. They were kind of giving us a little bit of a test. I think uh we re received a lot of nice
words after the conference was done. So uh we're going to be regrouping in the next couple weeks to see okay what what what might we do uh next year. So there was very brief conversation maybe trying to do some sort of national type conference here in the Cape but uh we're
not quite sure we're uh ready for that undertaking. So, I'll report back next year. Uh, I do want to talk about fentanyl for a moment. Um, when I first came before you back in 2023, I explained to you that I instituted a new policy uh in the office. Anyone that was
ever charged in trafficking in fentanyl, those are your business dealers, if you will. Those are the ones that are pushing the poison for profit. If once uh they were charged and brought before the court for arraignment, we were looking to hold them without bail. There's a very powerful statute referred to as the dangerousness statute that
allows prosecutors to go forward and try to hold them without bail. Uh before I was district attorney, some of you might know that I was in private practice. Um I've represented a lot of folks uh that were engaged in this line of work, if you will, and I can let you know, and it's certainly no secret that they would
prepare for the rainy day for when that time came that they were going to get charged and uh have the bail money, so to speak, set aside. With this particular statute, the dangerousness statute, there is no bill. You were held from jump throughout the pendency of your case. This was something that was
going on throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and I bared witness to it while I was practicing, but it wasn't happening here in the Cape Islands. So, literally the day that I was sworn in, we started this. We now have some data to look at since I first took office. In
2023, uh, the non-fatal overdoses were down 10% and fatal overdoses were down 7%. We now also have 2024 numbers. 2024, non-fatal overdoses are down 25% from
2023 and fatal overdoses are down 35% from 2023. Now, I can't sit here right now and draw a direct correlation between my policy and those particular numbers I just gave to you. However, I think you can draw a pretty reasonable inference that this policy of holding
these folks from jump, it does appear to be working. So, I wanted to provide that update and I'll certainly provide next year's numbers when I come before you again. Um, many of you might be aware that just two weeks ago now, uh, Cape Cod Healthcare, uh, had a grand opening
for their new, they're referring to it as a tower, big new addition that they put on, um, to the hospital where they're going to be doing their cancer treatment. And last summer, in the beginning of last summer, uh we learned that to get the permits from the department of public health uh for that
tower, uh they needed to invest in the community to which they serve uh and certainly invest a certain number amount of sums with various stakeholders. So with this information, we went back or I went back to my team and we kind of started kicking around some ideas. What could we possibly put to do to put
together an application for some grant funds? We talked about SIMS, uh, critical incident management systems. Uh, and what that is, it's a database that 14 out of our 15 police departments here in the Cape utilize, including the town of Falmouth. And what happens is if
someone has an overdose experience here in Falmouth, um, the officer is supposed to go back to the police station, enter that information, and I'm just going to draw an example here. I'm not picking on any towns. Uh, if an individual from the town of Hanover came down, say, went to Hyannis and had an overdose experience.
When the officer goes back to the police station and enters uh that information into this SIMS database, it's uh the folks where this person came from in handover, the resources that that person is generally used to from the uh handover area should be notified quickly, so as close to real time as
possible. Um so we thought, we're strategizing how can we possibly reinvigorate this SIMS database and perhaps even expand it. So this literally did start. It's one of those situations on a a restaurant napkin. I'll say restaurant, not bar because, you know, I'm being recorded right now,
but I say restaurant. Um, and I happened to bump into CEO Mike Loth at a restaurant and his senior vice president start taking some notes. That napkin literally led to a 10-page single space proposal. Meeting after meeting with Cape Cod Healthcare grew to meetings with the Department of Public Health and
then joint meetings with the Department of Public Health and Cape Cod Healthcare. After about a nine-month stretch, we were told we were being awarded uh this these grant funds. It's $250,000 a year for the next four years or $1 million. Uh what we propose to do
with that money is hire a full-time employee to work with our area police departments to make sure that information is being put in in a timely fashion. Um, we want to try to expand the services to that 15th town here on the Cape as well as to the six police departments that I have on Martha's
Vineyard and one on Nantucket. We're also looking at the database itself. While right now it's used is is used exclusively for substance use disorder matters, there's room for opportunity to grow it and include perhaps interpretation services, housing needs
as and possibly uh wellness matters as well. So, I I'm truly looking forward coming back to you a year from now. This program should be up and running by the end of the summer through our office. Uh so, by the time I come back here next spring, we we look forward to having some exciting updates for you. And
finally, I'd like to talk about um one last topic. Um every single month, detectives across the Cape um gather for a monthly meeting. It's hosted by the Howard Police Department. And essentially, it's a roundt conversation where the detectives just go around the
room, share information, try to bolster each other's investigations. And while I try to attend these meetings as often as possible, what you would typically hear uh from, you know, the first 80% of my tenure so far is that they'd talk about
B&E into cars, B&E into um seasonal homes or vacant buildings. um until I started noticing something pretty much late spring, early summer last fall. Everyone was talking about elder fraud, elder fraud, elder fraud all the way around the table, month after month. So
last fall, I started asking for some data. Could you please get me some 2023 numbers in year-to- date 2024? Um so I can get a true sense of like how rampant is this? I I know the barstable numbers off the top of my heart. Um, in that
time frame that I just describe uh described, Barnell had 397 cases uh or calls for elder fraud. Of that, 257 uh made their way into a police report. Of that, 13 cases were charged or about
5%. So, um what we did is we got got together as an office to see what we could possibly do to try to bolster or assist our law enforcement partners with their investigations. We got with the Cape delegation. We put together a package that uh essentially outlines our
wish to hire two forensic examiners. We're thinking of certified public accountants that are kind of on the tail end of their career. They made their money. Now they want to engage in some public service. Two additional prosecutors, of course, to prosecute the cases and two victim witness assistants to work with the victims in the case.
The grand total comes to about $580,000. Um we reached out to every council on aging I have in my district. I have 20. Uh we've reached out to every police chief. I have 22. Um they are now beginning to submit letters of support
uh of our request. If you've been following, uh tomorrow or Wednesday is going to be a big day when the Mass Senate drops their budget and uh any amendments to their budget will be due, I believe, by Friday. So, the it's a little bit of a time crunch at the moment. Uh we've also uh been in
conversation with Cape Cod 5. We're expecting that they're going to be submitting a a letter of support of our efforts and um I did this with the town of Bonstable uh the Bonville council last week uh and the vice president of the council offered hey would you like a letter of support from us and of course
I said yes. So uh that's something they're going to be voting on in their next meeting. So with that said I guess I come with an ask. Um, if I get some particulars through your chair about our proposal, I'd ask that you would consider perhaps by your next meeting uh to support our efforts because
everything helps. Thank you. Questions from the board. I'll go with Mr. Mscali and then Mr. Brown. those those numbers with respect to reductions of lethal non-lethal overdoses. Yes. You know, in addition to your policy, which
I'm sure had something to do with it, what what would you say some of the other contributing factors to those reductions would be? Availability of Narcan, which is obviously a really good thing. So, it's why it I can't, you know, connect the numbers directly, anything like that. All I can suggest I
I truly think you can draw a reasonable inference that our for lack of a better description hardline policy on these uh pushes of fentanyl is taking a positive effect. Thank you Mr. Brown. Uh couple years ago uh when you came you
identified a real shortfall in your own budget and I wondered if you've been able to be successful at increasing that and what are your expectations for this year? Touching a nerve sir. Um, so for those of you that may not have been here, just by brief, uh, if I could give an overview, uh, when I first took
office, I learned something. The Northwest District Attorney's Office comprises of two counties, Hampshire County and Franklin County. I happen to have three counties with Baronville, Dukes, and Nucket. Uh, the annual population for my district and the annual population for the Northwest District is almost identical. Hovers
right around 260,000 people. Our population obviously swells in the summer to upwards of a million. Uh when you compare the two districts, they have four district courts, I have five. My criminal docket cases, I think it's roughly 15% higher than their criminal
cases. So meaning we do more work at that time. Sir, my budget was $5.5 million. Their budget was $8.5 million. As I'm speaking right now to you, my budget is somewhere around $6.45 million. Somewhere around 6.45. And
they're around 104. Um, so it it it's really frustrating that I get to see this district be able to perform a level of services that I can't even come anywhere near. So, um, I've made I've had conversations with the delegation as you might imagine. Um, looking upwards
of, you know, a 60% increase in my budget is quite challenging to get. Uh, however, I know they are working as hard as they can possibly work to try to close the gap between our district and that district. So you might need two letters of support. That's an eyeopener.
I would greatly appreciate it. I can and I can get you tomorrow the specific numbers that I'm talking about from the time I took office through present day through what the proposal is through the governor's budget and the house budget for the next fiscal year and it candidly it keeps widening.
Thank you. Any other questions or comments from the board? Um I just have one other comment and that is I see you have the keep them coming program. Yes. Um, I'm really happy to see that that's still alive and well. I worked with that for years. Okay. I want to give a shout
out to Katie Green in my office. She does a great job with it. Yes. Anything else from the board? How's the uh the DA and and us uh meetings going? That's going really well. Um, Kelly Quley, if if I can. Um, when I took
office, I promised that I would do two things. I would create a new position called the community engagement officer whose main responsibility is to be in our communities every single day. I did that. Her name is Kelly Quley. The task that I asked her to to establish was create a new community coalition called the DA and us. Um, and that has been up
and running. I think they've had two meetings. I think two meetings here in Falmouth. Um, and she's trying to meet quarterly. Uh, we set up a a chapter in every single town across my my district. Um, and she meets quarterly with them. Just try to keep her finger on the pulse. Uh, because every Cape Town's a
little bit different. They have their own particular experiences. The police do a marvelous job trying to do what they can, but we're just trying to supplement their efforts to try to stay attuned as to what's going on. Great. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Our next meeting is May 19th and anything that you would want to get to us would be
need to get to the town manager at least a week before. Okay. I you'll have it in the inbox by tomorrow morning. Okay. Thank you very much. Thanks. Thank you. Thank you. Have a good day. And and Madam Chair, we'll be asking the town manager to prepare a letter of support in that regard. Is that his direction? It sounds like he will be sending
information and I'll take a look at it when we get it and then it would come back to the board on the 19th. Okay. Thank you. Okay. We're going to move into the presentation and update on Barnesville County's activities programs. Michael
Dutton, county administrator. Welcome. Thank you. Thank you. Um and thank you uh board for inviting me. It's a pleasure to be here. Um just by way of introduction, uh I've been a very quiet Felmouth resident. uh since 2013.
Um that's what happens when you're a fan with resin. Did you say quiet? I was quiet. That's you said quiet. The mic went off until now. Um prior to that I was on Martha's Vineyard for about 20 years. Um I've got over 20 years of municipal leadership
experience. Um I've also worked in banking, healthc care, uh been a private practice attorney. I drove a forklift. I don't know what else I could tell you. Um, but I have done a lot of work uh statewide advising town managers um on
sort of best practices. I've done a lot of advising on forms of government. Uh for the last uh 12 years before coming to Barnes, I was uh in the town of Bridgewater, which is one of 13 uh towns which is actually a city form of government. So um so with that, I took
uh the Barnstable job and uh it certainly hasn't been as boring as I thought it could be. So, I will this evening uh if okay with uh the board, I'll do four things. I'll just outline the uh role of the county as it's uh as it's described in the charter. Uh I'll
give you an idea or uh some sense of what we do uh in terms of regional services and uh give you an update on ongoing issues and then finally where I think the county is going from here. Um so I'll start with it. The charter uh
for those that don't know the the charter the home world charter was adopted in 1988. It is largely unchanged since then. There have been some tweaks. Um obviously 88 uh 1988 pred predates my presence on the Cape. Um but my
understanding is that that charter was pretty much adopted fairly quickly in order to preserve Barnstable County as a county. Um at that point in the late 80s, early 90s, a lot of the counties statewide were being dissolved. that was a big uh state initiative. So, um there
are six counties that actually remain uh all in the southeast sector and Barnstable by far uh does more uh in terms of uh government services than the other than the other five uh existing counties. So the the Barnstable County Charter
says um that Barnstable will provide quote the means and structure to deal with regional issues, which I always thought to deal with sounds very kind of informal, but anyway, the means and structure to deal with regional issues which transcend the
existing boundaries of municipal governments. Um so we were designed to be regional. I realize uh spent 20 years on the vineyard and that rword word was a really hard thing for people to swallow on the town level. Um but really uh regional government um and I'll get
to this a little bit later. Regional government is here to provide the services that you need. You tell us what you need and we'll go out and try to provide it. Um so anyway, that that that sort of structure and that and that uh sort of mission for the county is very
simple, but it is uh purposefully quite vague. uh and as I say allows towns to tell us what what they need and allows us to try to provide those services. So what services do we currently provide? So I'll break this down into four different areas. First being
environmental. Um I think this board probably knows a little bit about our alternative septic systeming test center at uh Joint Base Cape Cod. Um we are um one of the most soughtafter testing sites in the country. Um we have uh very
large uh nonprofit organizations and for-profit organizations wanting to come to that location in order to test uh alternative septic uh designs and and technologies. Uh we have the um Americanore Cape Cod program which I'll
I'll talk about a little more in a moment. uh does a lot of natural resource work in the towns and does a lot of education in terms of natural resource uh planning and uh and education. We've got uh coastal flood plane planning. We've got coastal
resilience work. Uh we have landfill monitoring. We've prepared um for new uh regulations or upcoming D regulations requiring PAS testing uh of capped landfills. Um, and I'll get to the lab work and the PAS PAS testing in a
minute. Uh, we support uh municipal shellfish propagation. Uh, we do joint bids to provide lowcost uh seed uh stock for the towns to uh seed their their various shellfish beds. Um, in terms of education and training, we have 4 youth
services uh nutrition education uh entomology. Our major uh focus obviously for the entomologists is tick born illnesses, tickborne disease. Uh and we work closely uh with the vineyard uh study group uh in order to to provide uh
information uh uh on tickborn diseases specifically. Uh we provide fire training uh most uh mostly mobile training uh operations, mobile training opportunities. uh we go to take the we take the equipment the training equipment to towns in order for the the
towns to use that uh for training. Now why is this important to the towns? Because it drastically reduces the amount of your fire department's overtime budget. Um that is a killer for most towns. uh you are required to provide certain fire training and you
also um as a best practice provide a lot of fire training uh for for your uh uh firefighters. This is an opportunity to provide that training uh either while on duty uh or in a way that mitigates the
need for a lot of uh overtime expense. So uh overtime expense can really can really kill town budgets. We realize that. And so this has been a particularly um popular um uh fire training, particularly popular program
with the uh chiefs uh all over Cape Cod. Uh we do food safety. Uh we sponsor food safety certificate courses. Uh we do hazardous waste. The county runs hazardous waste collection days. Uh several of which are in Falmouth on a year to which I've used
on a year-to-year basis. Uh we run the master gardener program uh through our horiculture uh program. There are about 250 uh participants in the master garden garden gardener program. Uh we have a human rights uh academy that uh educates
uh students capewide. Uh and we have important to the Cape Medicare uh counseling, the Shine program. Uh last year we ran about 8,000 seniors um through the uh Shine Education Program. The actual program runs mostly through
the uh Councils on Aging uh in each town, but the county does uh support uh counseling at at the county complex uh in Barnstable Village. Um so the other another topic, health and wellness. Uh, as you probably
know, we do beach monitoring uh in conjunction with a county lab um in conjunction with uh the DA. It's always hard to follow the DA. Um, I've done it twice now. So, any case, um, we do uh have child
sexual abuse services uh that does work very closely uh with the DA's office. Uh, Children's Cove is the name of that program. Um it's uh it's not not something that um that's a great uh high um high
visibility program, but it is critically important to the the Capes. Uh obviously the DA's office and the police departments on the Cape. Um we do public health nursing. We provide immunization programs. um is one of our most popular services as a matter of fact and uh it
provides a cost-effective convenient option uh for those seeking vaccinations uh including those without insurance. Uh we do infectious disease monitoring. I don't think I need to talk about that. We've gone through five years of uh dealing with that. Um, we also run an
ask a public nurse program and we do that through the Capees food pantries. Uh, and they try to uh place public nurses on site so that people using the public food pantries can can ask medical questions and uh and check vitals whether blood pressure or blood sugars
and so on. Uh, one of our most important services um I talked about this a few minutes ago, water quality lab. Uh we provide water testing services uh for all the Cape Towns uh at below rates. Um
I'm also happy to report we we implemented and and tested and certified new equipment uh which provides PAS testing. Uh my understanding is we're one of only five labs uh statewide uh that that offer uh PAS testing.
Um we also uh provide analytic services to private well owners um private drinking well owners. Uh we also do testing of uh waters around shellfish harvesting areas uh ponds, lakes uh and
we do uh wastewater sampling uh testing from uh wastewater samples that are taken from the uh mass alternative septic system test center. We do swimming pools, um doing any number of different things at town request and uh
and uh as I mentioned before, we're testing uh uh leech that comes out of the uh landfills uh cap landfills um across the board. So um my last
topic is regional initiatives. Um emergency planning. So Barnstable County uh regional emergency planning committee is uh creation of the county and it serves not to supplant or take the place of uh
the town's regional uh emergency planning but it serves to um allow a free form uh free flow of communication uh among the towns and between the towns so that we can make sure when we have uh a natural disaster or a man-made
disaster that we can be utilizing the resources of every town in the most optimum way possible. Um, we also uh manage the uh Cape Cod Medical Reserve Corps and uh and as we all get older and as the Cape population gets older, uh I
can tell you it's more and more challenging to find volunteers for the uh Cape Cod Medical Reserve Corps. So, if anybody has a medical history and is interested uh in volunteering, I'll be happy to take that call. Um, I think one of the items that uh this board probably
knows very well, uh, Barnstable County Dredge is, uh, is a, uh, an operation that, uh, really, even though they've got a limited window, uh, the operation itself, the planning and the permitting and the efforts go, uh, go on year round. Um over the 26 years of the
dredg's operation, we've removed about 2 and a half million cubic yards of uh of dredge material. Most of it uh high quality sand. Uh something like 98% of the dredge spoils get uh get to be um
put back onto the beach probably where they came from. Um but it uh it allows uh beach reourishment. One of my u one of my sort of pet projects in the upcoming year is to tr try to establish for towns what the economic benefit is
of dredging or of the Barnstable County dredge. Uh you've got a boating community that relies on on the dredging Great Pond, Green Pond um that we did another one uh recently in Falmouth and that's um you know that ensures that
your boating community including fishing community um can get in and out of your harbors. Um without that um it it becomes pretty problematic. Your boers and and vacationers and uh fishermen are going to go elsewhere. So, so that um
that is uh one of the benefits, the economic benefits. Um we also there's an economic benefit to the shellfish community. There's an economic benefit uh in in trying to mitigate coast coastal erosion as well. And those are all things that the dredge does. Um the
challenges with a dredge, uh it's a high cost to running to running two uh pieces of heavy equipment with the associated booster pumps and and piping. Uh we've got enough piping uh to to pipe sand two miles. And we did a project uh recently,
not in Falmouth, but we did a project that that piped the dredge spoils two miles uh to their ultimate uh ultimate uh disposal site. Uh which is mind-boggling to me. Um so we're we're looking um anyway
that's the challenge. the high cost uh permitting challenges is is uh really excruciating right now. You got federal permitting agencies. I won't throw any federal agency right under the bus. Um but they own the bridges if that gives you any idea who that might be.
them. It's a it's a challenge to try to to try to get uh permits out of uh most of the federal agencies and uh and then you've got uh an associated sort of parallel permitting track with uh a bunch of the the agencies uh state
agencies. So, so we are actually um having the second um of uh dredge summit, second dredge summit coming up uh uh next week, the 15th, Thursday the 15th. And we're convening all of the the permit granting uh authorities in one
place again to try to talk about specifically how we can uh how we can overcome some of the uh some of the challenges that we've found with dredging. Um and then finally the challenges uh time of year restrictions for those that don't know uh time of
year restrictions have to do mostly u with reproductive cycles of of various fish and crab and as well as clover. Um so so we have to thread these needles uh for every single project we do and the time of year restrictions for for say
Falmouth might be a little bit different than the time of year restrictions for Harwitch or the time of year restrictions for Chadam. So, so trying to walk through that uh itself is a full-time job. Um but but uh so far they're doing a darn good job with that.
Um so in terms of what we're looking to do over the next year, educate on the economic importance of maintaining navigable harbors uh and channels. Um I guess is that my time up? Um work with the Army Corps. Uh I didn't mention
them. Army Corps and uh the other permitting agencies to try to streamline the permitting process. And then finally, we're looking into purchasing a different type of dredge that allow us to be a little more nimble on some of the smaller but critical jobs uh that need to be done. And I think actually
Falmouth is probably a really good example uh of that because my understanding is that the two job at least two of the jobs were fairly small um and and we could have been a little more nimble in trying to get in and and do that. We're looking at at a longarmed
excavator with with a barge uh in order to get uh those types of jobs done. So, finally, I'll just rattle off a few of the others. Uh IT services. We provide uh IT services to six of the the Cape's 15 towns. Um we do procurement services.
We do regional per uh regional procurement. Um and uh so that the towns don't have to go out and do procurements for a lot of the pretty routine simple items that uh that you would otherwise have to go out for. Um the Aqua Fund
septic loan program uh formerly was handled by uh the towns as the septic loan program. Each town had a septic loan program. Um, and I'm happy to report that uh we received a commitment of $13 million uh from the D revolving
fund in order to uh to renourish that uh revolving loan program. That's probably not nearly enough money. Uh, I can tell you as more and more homeowners are tying into uh new uh sewer connections or they are having to upgrade their
title 5 systems uh or cesspools uh up to to code. Uh it's very likely that we'll be looking uh for a lot more uh funding in order to cover the the uh revolving loan or the rather the uh aqua fund uh loan program.
Um, so ongoing initiatives, what I'm I I always refer to this as what I'm working on now, what's on my desk right now. Um, Americanore, uh, we did learn last week that, uh, actually last a week ago, Sunday, uh, that, uh, the federal funds,
uh, were being cut for the Americanore program. And, uh, we have until the end of this week to quote unquote exit the members. Um, so federal funding makes up very roughly half of our program. County funding makes up the other half of the
program. So, sir, you are over your time. So, if you could just um wrap it up so that if the board needs to ask you anything, I'd like to give them a few minutes. I certainly will. Um, well, that's that's really that's really it. I just wanted to mention the
American Americanore uh program did get the funding cut, but the county commissioners have have decided to continue uh through the three month uh uh natural end of the program. And then we're going to regroup and talk about uh what we potentially can do for the next
year. Um and so that uh where the county is going is the only other thing I was going to mention. Uh number one, we want to make sure that county operations are sustainable. We've got a budget of roughly $26 million. I never in a million years thought I'd say this, but that's not a whole lot of money. Um, we
manage roughly $15 million worth of grant funding each year and um and within all those revenues um is uh is how we get the job done. Our revenues derived mostly some from from assessments to the towns uh but mostly
from registry of deeds uh funds and uh that is uh unlike real estate tax that can fluctuate dramatically uh year to year monthto month. So, um, but I'll emphasize again, we're driven by local community's needs. Um, whatever Felmouth
needs, if it's something that we can couple with another town, we are happy to, uh, provide that conduit and make sure that, uh, that you your services are being provided for in as mo and as cost-effective uh, a way as as possible.
So, questions from the board. Mr. Brown, Mr. Dutton, thank you for coming today. I I really am interested in your frustration with certain entities that don't get their work done and get projects off the desk. We have our DPW director can tell you better than I, but
I think it's been seven or eight years we've been trying to get a bridge permit to enhance coastal resiliency and provide freshwater flushing to one of our coastal bays. I personally think that the agencies should be removed from
the process because they're not able to keep up. They go uh sit on their desk, they don't get to it, and the information gets stale. By the time they get around to looking at it, the other agency feels the same way. They're bouncing back and forth like a ping-pong ball. I would love to see the county
draft a letter to propose that there be some change to this management system. I think CZM should perhaps just do all coastal resiliency projects and streamline because by the time we get approvals, conditions have changed. We're trying to get projects done and it
takes so long that it it's not we're chasing our tails. So, if you were to do that, maybe the towns, all the towns might sign a letter of support for it. That's I think that's um that's a perfect idea. Um, I know that one of the uh we did we've we're coming to the end
of a study on on permits specifically for the dredge and one of the recommendations that will be will come out is to actually um sort of plant a person within Army Corps uh that can manage our Cape Cod grants specifically.
And so um so doing on a state level something very similar u is is also um a great idea. So I'll I'll definitely bring that Mr. Mscali. Uh yeah, thank you again Mr. Dutton for coming. Um uh
our representative Dan Getton on the uh guessing on the Assembly of Delegates got the resolution before them with respect to the housing crisis and I know it was uh kicked up to the county commissioners. I wonder if you could speak as to where it is and and and in
particular Mr. Gesson's thought about an advisory task force of some sort on a county level. Uh absolutely that um so the county commissioners and the assembly uh voted to to have asked me to create a working group. Um, and right
now, uh, we are, uh, about to I'm about to meet, uh, with the other town administrators, managers just to go over the regional housing initiative, uh, that that we funded, uh, two years ago as sort of a test case to see if if that kind of professional uh, expertise was
needed by the Cape Towns. Um, clearly the resounding uh, response to that was yes. that uh that regional approach, that regional housing office, if you will, is something that the the town's appreciated and and worked uh worked uh well with. And so we are going to go
back out to bid looking for consulting services to continue that uh for the next three years. And uh so that that's sort of the first step. My my intent would be to create a working group made up of the the folks that um that made up that original working group for the
regional housing, you know, mostly town affordable housing uh uh representatives or affordable housing uh staff. Um because that's that's those are the people that see the affordable housing issues uh most clearly uh within each
town. And uh I don't pretend that we're going to be able to solve uh the quote unquote the affordable housing uh issue. Uh but I think that if we can come out of of that working group uh with some focus and some specific ideas on how we
can solve the uh very specific things, then I think we'll be we'll be in in good shape. Thank you, Mr. Zillinsky. Yeah, thanks for coming, Mr. Dutton. I uh could you do me a favor and restate the uh the percentage of usable spoils you you mentioned early cuz I know that
we've we've had some challenges on the percentage that we had had to house that weren't usable. Did you say somewhere up as of 98% or that's my my recollection is it's I can get you the exact figure but it's somewhere between somewhere in the neighborhood of 98% and that that
that includes all of the the history of the dredge. Uh, okay. Because I'm I'm talking about us specifically, Doug, do remember at the um at one of our workshops that one of the big one of the big holdups was where do we put the unusable spoils cuz we've got some bays
that haven't been done for so long, right? They're really silted up. I was thinking if that's only 2%, we got bigger problems if we can't house 2% of what? But I I was looking at it as our our waterways and not as a whole. No, it's it's Capewide and the whole history of the dredge program. Thank you, Miss
Goldstone. You mentioned uh and thank you very much for your presentation and thank you for the update on Americanore because I was going to ask about that. Um you provided an impressive list of different water types that you mentioned. One you didn't mention that's an increasing challenge
here on the Cape is ponds. And I'm wondering if that has come up with other towns and if you have thoughts on pond water testing. So the the freshwater initiative um my understanding is that that's been sort of managed at this point uh through the Cape Cod Commission. Um and on an uh ongoing
basis uh again my understanding is that that is going to probably expand. Uh, I think their focus, don't quote me, I think their focus was limited uh to fif maybe 50 uh ponds uh capewide. And I think they're expanding that focus and
uh we'll continue to collect data and to collect uh testing data in order to get a broader picture of of what's affecting the ponds and and then ultimately make recommendations on on best practices to each of the towns.
Thank you very much. Thank you. Cape uh capecod.gov is uh the website and I encourage folks that don't have it to sign up. There's a uh a monthly newsletter that goes out uh at the beginning of the month and and it sort of highlights a lot of the things that
the county is doing. So, great. Great. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, we're going to um Mr. Renshaw, do you want to kick this next one off? Uh yes, Madam Chair. Uh Peter McConny, our DPW director, is going to present. Um the request is for the board to
consider um designating this uh this uh signage, new signage, proposed signage as a public uh public safety usage. Um as you all know, um it was I think two meetings ago, the board uh uh voted to move forward with accepting the grant
funding that was uh provided by the Felmouth Road Race. um tonight's request and Peter's going to give you the details. Um the building commissioner's office advised us that um all of the other particular specifics with regards to the signage meet the sign code. It's
the digital portion of the sign um and those dimensions um that would require a variance if select board tonight uh decided that it did not meet that um public safety uh purpose. But I think we've got strong arguments to show that it does. And with that, I'll turn it
over to Peter. Thank you, Mr. McCanny. Peter, good evening. Peter McCanny, director of public works. I believe in your packets you have um a uh existing conditions plan of the uh public works facility. You also have a blowup of the area where the sign will be going. It
will be on our property on the side of the roadway. The existing sign is within the site. It's uh dilapitated and it's hard to read right now. It's basically it's non-repable. Um, so what we're looking to do, the original item under this, as town manager had indicated a
couple of meetings back, we had uh came for a grant that was approved through Felmouth Road Race for the uh in the amount of $25,000 for the digital portion of the sign. the uh so when we came forward with this request it's to uh ask for a variance for 180 co sign
code 184-25 which is freestanding sign freestanding sign and 184-26 was which is illumination um if as the town manager says if the portion of the sign which is the uh digital portion of the sign which is 24
square ft if that is uh considered exempt under 184-9 n exemptions and exclusions, then the sign does meet um does meet the sign code. And uh uh I think I believe you also have some correspondence from the uh zoning
enforcement officer for the uh for the signage. Um the sign is basically going to be used for public safety services. It's going to be for roadway detours, highway highway flushing, storms, um emergency operations. It also will not just be for
public works. The police department will al also have access to it and fire department if if things come up, amber alerts or what have you comes up for the police department. The attention of this uh of the digital sign is for public safety and for purposes. It's not for
other other indications for the sign. So if I understand you correctly, if it is for public safety, it does not need a variance. So, the total square footage of the of the sign, you're in this area, public use area, you're allowed 18
square feet. The sign address and our um the sign address and the uh uh the name of our building is 12 square ft. The digital portion of the sign is 24 square ft. So, it brings it up to 36. If the 24 was considered public safety, which we
think it is, the zoning enforcement officer thinks it is, it would bring it down to 12 square feet and it would be would be within the um sign code and we would not need a variance. So maybe the board is being asked to affirm that it is used for public safety. That's the
digital portion of the sign. Yes. Thank you, Mr. My question would be if we don't go along or approve that, then what are the next steps? What what would you have to do in order to get it done? Then we would be looking for a variance to 18425
for the freestanding sign and 18426. So 18 back to us basic we could do this tonight if if it's 18. So the the 1842 is for animated signs. Typically animated signs when you have digital
signs it'll the signs will flash. It'll show whatever in the background. the size of our screen, the speed of the roadway. We're looking to have one single sign. So, it's seconds when people come around that corner from Goodwill Park to go past our sites. We wanted to have one solid sign and not be
flashing. So, it will not be animated. It'll just be one. It will be lit, but it'll be digital lit. So, that's the reasoning for the 26. It's not going to be an animated. And the 25 is just uh because it's 36 square feet. I mean, I'm
fine that it's public public. Madam Chair, if I could just for clarification down to Miss Goldstone. Thank you. It's to uh select board member Mskeelli's question. So it was late last week um we had prepared the agenda packet with um the uh the request for the variance to those two sections.
It was late last week after the packet was posted that um the zoning compliance officer uh consulted with us and and and mentioned the fact that by the way if the select board um is inclined to to to um affirm that this is a public safety use then this exemption would apply. So
to answer your question, we were prepared to go the other route uh getting the variance. Um I believe this is perhaps an easier path if the board is persuaded that this is a public safety purpose. Thank you. Thank you, Mike. Miss Goldstone, I would I would just say that um so as I'm reading the the
exceptions clause um signs erected or posted and maintained for public safety and welfare or pursuant to any government function which is the Department of Public Works and so I would be happy to make the motion to approve would just like to expand it
beyond public safety to public safety and welfare and pursuant to the function of the DPW to give DPW the flexibility in how that sign is used and so this doesn't come back to us that X message was not actually public safety. Um I'd
happily second that as described. I I would move approval of the Department of Public Works request that the content of the embedded digital message board portion of the sign is considered to be for public safety and welfare and pursuant to the function of the
Department of Public Works and therefore meets sign code 184-9 exceptions. Second it. Okay. Okay, I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion amongst the board? Mr. Brown, one question not actually related to the sign itself, but is it possible that these similar alerts
could be mirrored on the DPW website or on the page? Yeah, the the the programs are not connected together. Our intention is um for for instance, when we put out a rave alert, if there's a water main break, a service break, um to
have it reflected on both so you'll see it on both sides. They're not connected, but internally we should be able to that's our goal. We'll be able to have it come out on on both sides, rave alert and that would be great if it's in both places because not everybody's going to go down Gford, but if they go down Gford
and see it and they think, "Oh, I better check on that when I get home." And and just additional, so um the sign will be connected to the uh building's generator. So if there's a loss of power, the generator runs to run the fuel facility, it it's connected. So that it will have power and it'll be
running. And one last question. I'm sure you've already know this, but it just looked like it was kind of close to the road. The sight lines are okay there. So, with public works, we're a little bit different than a regular parking facility. When you think of a park facility, you might think of a car or a
truck pulling out. Public works, we have an excavator that has a 10-ft boom. We have a a front end loader that comes out with forks. if we we have to be careful placing that sign because the the piece of equipment will be in the roadway before they can
see up and down the roadway. So, what actually what we're going to do is we're going to take uh one of our digital mobile signs and we're going to put it out in that area and we're we're just going to we're going to get get it to the right location for we're going to have for our operators that um it'll
work. I see. So, this is just a general location and you're going to work out the details, correct? Okay. Thank you. Right. Okay. So, I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion amongst the board? Seeing none, all those in favor? I I unanimous. Thank you. Thanks,
Peter. Thank you. Okay, Mr. Renshaw D. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh the board tonight is being asked to consider a request from Felmouth Art Market for a waiver of the special event permit fee for the art market at Marina
Park on Thursdays from June 26th to October 9th of this year. U madam chair, select board, the applicant submitted a letter requesting the waiver of special permit event fees. Um that letter email is in your packet. The applicant donates all vendor fees to the cultural council. Revenue helps as you know provide grants
to local artists and supports cultural events in the community. Madam Chair and board, in accordance with the approved fee schedule, the permit fee for this event is calculated based on a formula which you've seen before. Um, I thought it was important to mention that over the course of the previous eight years, Select Board has voted to wave the
permit fee for the past three years from 2022 through 2024 and to reduce the fee to $300 in prior years 17 through 21. And I believe the applicant is here tonight to uh to present. I'm Sarah Glover. I am the new uh coordinator of
the Felmouth artisan market and here to request if you would um wave the fee. Could you speak a little bit louder? How about if we do it this way? You have the request. How about questions from the board or concerns about the request?
Uh Mr. Mr. Brown, I don't have a concern about the uh re reducing the fee, but what I'm wondering about is the the lawn maintenance over there and it's not it's not a curveball question to you. It's just Yeah. to the town manager. Curveball question to the town manager.
Curveball. Yes, it is. I guess it is. It didn't occur to me to ask you in advance. No, no, that's So, so that's a great question because I know that's been a concern over over the years for a lot of these events. Um I'm not aware of any any particular complaints. Um I know uh uh Greg Frasier um monitors and and
was it did this go before the special event committee? It did. Yep. And uh and those things are vetted uh site board member Brown. So in my opinion tonight I I don't think it's a huge concern. We'll continue to monitor it and if there are any issues we'll we'll address those as they come up. Maybe we need like a
policy for if it's a rainy day, you got to park in the parking lot or something. I was just going to add I I do believe we have a an ability to cancel for rain. So, um that the onus is on the parks department to issue that communication
in advance of the event so that the event can be cancelled. If I could just say we don't if it's raining, we don't have the market. Okay, good. Any other questions of the applicant from the board? No. No. I I think this is a great
arrangement and happy to see the uh the funds going directly to the cultural council. Yeah. Is that a motion, Miss Gold? I would move approval of the request from Falmouth Art Market to wave the special event permit fee for the art market at Marina Park from June 26 to
October 9, 2025. Second. Okay. I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion amongst the board? All those in favor? I. It's unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, Mr.
Mscali, you are up. You you submitted um a draft because we had talked about um a select board handbook back at our workshop in December and you submitted a draft. Did everyone have an opportunity
to look at it? Yes. Okay. Would anyone like to make any comments or suggestions? Mr. Brown did notice one thing I thought might be missing was the responsibilities of the chair and I wonder if it should include uh engaging
the public answering questions via email or otherwise. I mean I I view this process as being somewhat uh uh over a period of time. So I think you know the purpose that you know member Goldstone and I had had had agreed to draft
something. Admittedly, it it it got a little bit sidetracked and uh but I wanted to get something before before the board. Uh I think the the process should be to to look at it, you know, closely and you know, we'll have another
discussion with with a new board. more than likely that'll be uh in place after the May 20th election and uh you know have that board also have an opportunity to look at it and uh and make some suggestions. Um, you know, the the
question is that once I started looking into it, uh, although I know it was suggested that that we have a a handbook, there is some some consideration that a handbook might not be necessary that we have a, you know, a
pretty good onboarding packet uh, that uh, that's available that that mentions a lot of the things that I think are, you know, in the handbook. Uh I took committee handbook. Well, no, we have an onboarding packet that has you know you know 10 or 12 tabs and things that new
members should be looking at. I think it's important that we uh look at orientation for new board members and that's something that you know that that I I beef that up with. Uh I took a couple of the u uh the the slides from
Mr. Senate's uh presentation back in December and actually just repeated them in in the draft. So um you know I I think I call upon any members to you know edit it, send me suggested edits. Uh but I think it's going to be you know
a bit of a process before we get to a final product whether we call it a handbook or policies or whatever we want to call it. I I think that Mr. round to your point about about the chair. I think there are times when it depends on
the nature of the email and what is in the email as to when anybody can respond um and when responding and reply all. I think we need to talk about that. I think that needs to be put in here. Um I did go through it carefully and I do
have some suggestions, Mr. Mscali. I don't know if you want me to go through them or if you want me to just give them to you. Um, I think that I think it's a really good start. I thought it had some some good bones. Uh, but I did make some
comments. Um, for example, on page five when you talk about uh FSB members will vote according to their convictions, will avoid bias. I think adding some language about the um conflict of interest law moving in there might be a good idea. So, I just made some notes
and I'm happy to to give them to you. Um, I also would like to see a little bit more development of um, and I know there's something in here about staying in our lane in terms of being board members in our relationship with the town manager. I'd like to see that
developed a little bit more, but I I agree it's kind of ongoing, but I think it's a great start. Goldstone. Yeah, I I would agree. Um, it's it's great to have a a first draft to begin the discussion. Um I uh as I
was reading through it um felt myself hearing town council's voice in my head um in that um a lot of what is in here is um collating um what is in the charter,
what is um in law, what is you know in in other places and wanting to make sure that we avoid um having a situation where the you know the the select board handbook is restating essentially law or or another
document and the need to if that changes make sure we we propagate through and um would love to see the handbook go more deeply in the direction of putting on paper some of the things you were mentioning going more deeply into things that are not um simply uh roles and
responsibilities as stated in the charter that but but go more into um uh often unstated kind of standard operating procedures. Um I think the code of ethics or code of conduct is a a really good thing to have in there so that it's it's more about um you know an
understanding of of expectations that fall that that go beyond what is stated in in the charter. Um, and I I definitely agree that an ongoing conversation so that this is a document that reflects um a consensus of of the board is is really important.
May I ask a question? Yes. Um, so was this purely organic or did was this modeled after someone, you know, partially someone else's handbook? I' I'd looked at a couple of different ones. Surprisingly, few towns that I could see actually have an official
handbook. So, the ones you looked at, did you also check their charter to see how their charter differs from ours? No, but I looked to see if this was consistent with our charter, and I believe it is. Well, ours is. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Anything else? I appreciate your work in getting this to us. It's a good start. Thank you. And I would ask that any board members send their edits to Mr. Mscali. I'm more than willing to give you mine. And if you have any questions, however you want about mine, um, just
let me know. Anything else on the potential handbook? Okay, that was quick. All right. Um, basketball games on Celtics. Okay. Uh, Mr. Renshaw,
discuss the impacts of the proposed mass development study to examine the feasibility of moving the Cape Cod Gateway Airport to Joint Base Cape Cod. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, so, uh, back in midFebruary, uh, my office, I was contacted directly by, uh, Mr. Greg
Duran, who I believe is in the audience this evening. Uh, Greg lives in Balme, uh, neighborhood subdivision. Um, he indicated to me some concern about, and at that time it was just beginning to hit the newspapers. I think the Cape Cod
Times ran a story in late January um with regards to a January 30th uh meeting of the Barnes Town Council. Um they uh the council at that time on a 7 to5 vote um directed that a letter be sent to
Mass Development. Um and this is part of Mass Development. As you all know, they're doing a master planning uh function um at Joint Base Cape Cod. The request of uh the Barnes Town Council was that as part of this master planning process that Mass Development do a
feasibility study uh for locating what was referred to as a a civilian and military operations airport um at Joint Base Cape Cod. Um in effect um moving the uh Cape Cod
Gateway Airport, the Hyannis airport to Joint Base Cape Cod. um the uh the concerns um expressed by by Mr. Durban and and some others subsequent to that that initial email in midFebruary um were were many uh traffic issues um
on the ground, traffic issues in the air, um just flight operations in general, the additional um noise uh for from flight operations um over not only the balade uh neighborhood subdivision but also the general area um were
concerns expressed by Mr. Durban and some others. Um I attempted to uh gather some more information through mass development but as of today I haven't been able to get much information as far as the status of that request uh by Barsible town council to include a
feasibility study of again combining or creating this joint civilian military airport at the base. Um so I don't know at this stage kind of what where where we're where they they are at with incorporating that into the feasibility study or the master planning study. Um,
but I wanted to have a discussion uh to make uh the select board here aware and you likely already were that it was at least being discussed and you know likely some of the impacts and some of the residents concerns about those impacts um on our quality of life here in Felmouth if that was ever to come to
fruition. And there's some information um that Mr. Durban had provided um in regards to just kind of some put it in perspective so to speak, some relative information. Um the current uh runways at Cape Cod Gateway Airport um 5,425 ft and
5,253 ft. Uh the TF Green uh airport in Providence, Rhode Island, 8,700 ft and 6,81 ft. Those two main runways. Joint Base Cape Cod by comparison uh 9,500 ft and 8,000 ft. uh the two main runways
and Logan International um 10,083 feet and 10,000 feet plus some other obviously shorter runways. So again, it speaks to if there if this were to come to fruition uh as a result of this feasibility study and I understand I wasn't here at the time, but I understand this has been talked about in
the past. Um if it were to come to fruition, there's a real concern uh by Mr. Durban and some others in the community that this could create kind of a Logan South kind of an environment and atmosphere. And uh I've managed in other communities um that had much smaller
airports that increased uh flight traffic and flight operations and it did result in in uh pretty significant negative impacts on quality of life. Uh the flyovers are just the constant air traffic. Um so again wanted uh for the purposes of tonight's discussion make
the board aware and allow you to ask any questions. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of answers from the perspective of mass development in terms of where they're at currently with uh with the process. Uh and I and ask Mr. Durban to make himself available through the chair to maybe make any comments that he would
like the board to know as well. Would you like to address the board, Mr. Durban? Yeah, I can make come up to the come up to the podium and introduce yourself, please. Yeah, I just go over this, you know, real quick as, you know, Mike mentioned
just just introduce yourself into the mic. Yeah, sorry. Greg Dubin, resident of Balme. Uh, only three and a half years, but I hope I can still address the board. Um, yeah, concerns on ground traffic. Uh, there may be some
significant construction if this goes ahead as a civilian airport. You got baggage handling, maybe a new terminal, parking areas. So if that construction happens, you know, it'll probably be after Sagamore Bridge construction, but
it might be done in parallel with Bourne Bridge construction, and that would really impact our neighborhood. It's already a tough intersection, 28 and 151, and getting out of our neighborhood is already a challenge. So concerned
about construction traffic and then given the runway lengths much larger jets could land there than Hyannis or Providence and when you have a plane with several hundred people coming in there's traffic you know obviously
generated from that um noise from air traffic uh not only you know quiet enjoyment of our life and balade the one of the runways is oriented you know to the uh southwest towards Valley Me neighborhood but also
the beaches um you've got you know all the Buzzards Bay beaches may see an impact from large aircraft uh traffic um and then the runway length is obviously the you know the big concern you know whatever might be said in the
study or the limited or you know whatot if it's there then it might become well it started as an emergency you know if Boston has some weather problems or whatnot. Well, divert to joint base and then it becomes well, you know, seasonal
air traffic uh we could allow and then you you climb up to, you know, it using its full capability which is jets with several hundred passengers. Um and you know obviously u air traffic safety is a
concern. We're all aware of the events in Washington which are continuing to evolve. um when you have joint operations of military and civilian uh aircraft um especially with Coast Guard because when they got to go they got to
go it's an emergency. There's other National Guard installations which I consider more of a planned exercises and whatnot. Coast Guard dispatching of rescue services is going to need to clear airspace immediately. I think just
it's just more dangerous in that situation. So um and obviously personally it's a question of degradation of property values not even if it is going to happen or not it's just the fact that there's a study that it might happen you know now
this this might impact that. So any questions Mr. Brown? So I would share that the potential for increased volume of bringing people to the Cape. I mean I think we're getting close to our limit. I don't think we need to find new ways
to bring more people here. I think that uh an environmental concern is serious concern. I know that there's been environmental problems at the Barville airport and maybe the town council is realizing it might not be the best thing for them to be hosting an airport and they're trying to get rid of it. I don't
know. But I just know that they potentially have PAS contamination there from testing their uh firefighting foam in the woods and I'd be concerned about the management of it at the base and the development. You know, we just uh had
objections to a a gun range which be much less impactful than an airport. Well, I think the environmental concerns and the conflict with the military mission, it's a secure facility. What are we going to do? break off part of it and make it open to the public. It just
seems like a conflict there. So, I see a few problems with it in addition to the the volume and the airspace concerns. Do you remember the history when this came up last time? Do you remember that? Not really, but it didn't get too far as far as I remember. I was just wondering um
Miss Goldstone and then Mr. Mscali. I would I would say I have I I share some of the concerns already surfaced and have others of my own just given the lack of proximity to um public transportation or services how it would impact housing on the base. you
know, there there's any number of questions and I but I guess the the relevant questions at this point are whether or not um first of all, a letter from one town council is sufficient to to actually
trigger the feasibility study um by mass development and then um what that which of these sorts of questions that feasibility study might actually address um and and whether that would consider
that feasibility study in this context would also consider all of the other uh potential projects that are that are kind of in some stage of formulation on the base as as it's being you know how how this question would be handled
relative to all of the other things being considered right because if it's taken out of context from the various other potential uses um could be really problematic. So, I guess I'll just kind of process questions with where we actually are, but it sounds like may or
may not have those answers from mass development. Yes. So, Madam Chair, um and select board member Goldstone, I I was hoping, as I said earlier, to have at least some some early answers to what the status is. Um, and to in full disclosure, uh, when you read and I have
a copy of the actual, well, a draft of the letter that was signed by, um, the president of the town council, um, you know, it talks about a feasibility study and kind of lists all of those things that would be they're looking at economic impacts. Um, it never specifically mentions the movement of a
particular airport, in this case, Cape Cod Gateway, but it's the newspaper article I refer to, the Cape Cod Times. um the comments the discussions that occurred by the town council on January 30th talk about this airport hyena sparkstable gateway is not going anywhere. So it's pretty clear that
that's what the focus was. But unfortunately I don't have answers to those great questions about would one community's interest in a feasibility study be enough to trigger a mass development feasibility study or include that portion uh in a master planning
study? I don't I don't know. Um our questions have gone unanswered, but we'll I'll continue to try to get some information on a mass development. I'll go to Mr. Mscali and then Mr. Zalinski. Certainly, I I share everyone's concerns about the the project and and the
feasibility study. Um I I don't think we're in a position at this point to necessarily oppose anything, though, as as far as a letter of opposition, if you will, or opposing the feasibility study. I don't think we know enough at this point. Uh if we were going to do
anything, I think we'd register some of the concerns that have been mentioned by Mr. Dubin and members of the board and you know say we're going to follow this closely to see how it's going and take a position at some point in the future. But as far as taking a position in
opposition, I I don't think we have enough information at this point. Yes. and and madam chair and select board member mscali. I I think in the in the department town manager recommendation I said no formal actions being requested. Um working with madam chair and Mr. um Mr. Durban I was clear that you know
tonight was just for discussion. I did include some language in there that I would take direction but I agree we don't have enough information. I was hopeful again to have a little bit more status update as far as where that request was at this point. Um but I don't have that. So I would agree just a discussion and then continue to monitor
and follow it. I I think it's really important that the board be aware that this is happening uh whatever this is um and that we need to stay alert and and follow directly impact. I'm going to go to Mr. Zillinsky, Mr. Brown, Miss Goon.
Unfortunately, I I respectfully disagree with Mr. Mscali and the town manager on this. I think we do have enough information. My wife and I since we were children grew up in that neighborhood and we've watched the water degradation. We've watched all
the things they've done to clean it. Um just the amount of fuel that would be hauled into that area and just for refueling and would be a nightmare. We've spent my whole adult life watching them try to clean that mess up. And I I would be it's a good thing I'm not going
to be on the board because I would be stomping my feet as a no all the way through. And that's with the greatest respect for both of you and your opinions. But I've been a hard no from the get-go. A hard no of even moving forward with having an airport at JBCC.
Damn right. Just clarifying, Mr. Brown. And I would feel a similar uh I I don't think I really want to just take no action. I I know we don't have to take an action, but I would like to send a letter highlighting concerns
about environment and the other uh military mission conflict and potential impacts to the Falmouth community. It doesn't have to be a clear letter of opposition, but just uh let them know that we're paying attention
and that we have concerns. So, it's not a a formal letter to oppose. It's just that you've got our attention and these are some of our concerns. So, it's not a letter about the feasibility study. It's a letter about
concerns that Felmouth residents have with having an airport at JBC. Is that correct? About the potential for it. Yeah. I I guess I was Well, I was going to say I was going to say the exact same thing as member Brown, but perhaps different. I I would actually
um I I think a letter about the feasibility study and frankly about the fact that we haven't been able to get answers um and making it clear that there are multiple towns that would be impacted that we need the information about the feasibility study that we have any number of concerns about the
potential projects and that those need to be addressed in this process. whatever that process and maybe there is no process because maybe one town is not enough to to trigger the feasibility study, but we need to know that because our town is is potentially
impacted by this. Mr. MS Kelly. No, I I what I was suggesting I think was the same thing that member Brown was was suggesting that we register those concerns, list them uh and let let them know we're uh we're we're watching and
interested and going to have a seat at the table because we are we are very much you know impacted you know the most impacted town on the Cape probably born as well. Although we're not voting, is there consensus to develop a letter um
from this board to ask the the town manager to craft that and bring it back to us to send out uh outlining the concerns in general uh and and uh respectfully requesting additional detail as far as the status of Barable's
request. Sure. Right. Yes, I would agree with that. Is that does that make sense? not opposition but just asking expressing the concerns of the board and then uh status information on the on the barcel request. Hopefully we'll get some more information giving him direction. Yes. Yes. Make sense. And maybe then
we'll get more more information and we'll know better what we might take a position. Agreed. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Okay. I will go through the consent agenda. If any member of the board would
like to hold an item, please notify me. Licenses consider a vote to approve an application for a Sunday entertainment license. Buzzards Bay Coalition, MBL, Swope Center, 5 North Street, Woodsole, Sunday, 10525, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. administrative orders. I'm going to
hold number one. Number two, uh, consider a vote to approve a request for a variant sign code 184-32 off- premise signs, Buzzards Bay Coalition, Buzzards Bay wershed ride event signs in Woodsole, Sunday
10525. Accept the FY25 wellness grant in the amount of 6 $600 from Cape Cod Municipal Health Group to the human resources department grant account. with our thanks. Accept the following donations from local businesses to be
used as raffle prizes at the annual health and benefits fair. $100 gift card to the island queen. Two $50 gift cards to Crab Apples restaurant. Four $25 gift cards to Jim's Clamshack, two $25 gift
cards to Gelfie's Candies, and Kitchen Faucet from Ferguson. And again, thank you to these local businesses. Consider a vote to appoint inspectors of animals, Scott Mcan, Katherine Pquette, Chlor Khloe Eric, and
Molly Mason. Consider a vote to authorize the Marine Environmental Services to file the 2025 Seapport Economic Council grant application. Madam chair, I'll move the se um move the uh consent agenda with
the exception of administrative order number one held by the chair. Second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor? I I unanimous. Okay, brief comment. Thank you to the town manager and staff for providing the
additional information requested as of the last meeting about the marine and environmental services grant. Thank you. Okay. Number one, um, in talking with the tow manager, we need more information. Do you want to go over this real briefly? So, uh, uh, DPW director
and I had a conversation, uh, this afternoon, um, and I asked him to go down and take a look at the site. There's some concern, um, with regards to the, um, jointly owned pole, uh, petition of the number of utility poles that would be positioned in a relatively
small area. I'll give you the number. It's eight in a 250 foot segments of Main Street. Um, we felt that was excessive. So, we're going to sit down with Eversource to try to get some more information before the board is asked to approve this thing because once it's approved, as you all
know, it's going to be hard to take it back. So, we just want to see like an awful lot. Going to get them to try to reduce the number of utility polls in some way. So, we will table number one until we receive more information and a recommendation from the town manager.
All right. and 556. Is that the new uh development across from Betsy? It uh Liberty Green. Liberty Green. Oh, it's Liberty Green. Oh, yes. Okay. So, we are going to review and consider a vote to approve the minutes of the meetings public session August 22, 2022, August
27th, 2022, and April 22, 2022. Did everyone have an opportunity to review the meeting notes? Yes, exactly as I recall them. Is that is that a motion, Mr. Brown? I would move approval.
I'll second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion amongst the board? Well, I mean, I wasn't here in 2022, nor do I think uh member Goldstone was. But you don't have to be but but I understand that the advice from council
is that all we need to do is be comfortable with the process and that the process was handled properly in approving minutes. So, I'm prepared to move in favor of it as well. Okay. So we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion amongst the board hearing?
None. All those in favor? I. It's unanimous. Town manager supplemental report. Mr. Renshaw. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh two uh I think important updates I wanted to give you both pertaining to uh Felmouth Fire Rescue. Um I'll start with uh I think maybe the biggest update in regards to the
Hutchville Fire Station. Um, as you know, several months ago, uh, we we had some issue with regards to the four-fold, the infamous four-fold doors. Um, we worked with Tower Construction, the the general contractor to get that
issue resolved. Um, the doors I received an update just last week uh from our OPM. Uh, the doors have actually the fabrication has been complete. uh Door Engineering Incorporated out of Minnesota, I believe, um is the firm that fabricated the new doors. Um
they're uh to be delivered um this week. Um May 7th um is actually the delivery date. Um and I'm told that the um installer will get to work almost immediately. Um it's about a month, month and a half uh installation
timeline. So, um, based upon that information, um, we feel we're going to have the four-fold door issue, uh, resolved, um, in a month and a half, two months. Um, Peter and I had a chance to sit down with, uh, Chief Smith to talk
about some of the other kind of issues related to, uh, the successful opening of Hatcheville. Um as you all know uh fire rescue and uh our emergency communication center and police for in a certain respect have been dealing with
uh the implementation and launch of a new computer aided dispatch or CAD system. Um that has also not been without problems. Um it's been a uh a huge lift, a huge effort from IT as well, our IT department. But we feel confident that we're going to get that
CAD, new CAD system up and running um by early June. Um in addition to the uh station alerting system, uh which is exclusively the fire rescue side, alerting the stations and sending apparatus. Um, so with all that being said, Peter and I last week had a chance
to sit down with Chief Smith and um, we received a pretty favorable uh, staffing trend from Chief Smith as he's looking over the past few months. Um, you know, we're graduating firefighter recruits from the academy. Um, our injured on duty numbers are getting much much
better. They're people are coming back to work. So, all that being said, um if the staffing uh scenario continues to remain uh uh positive, uh I'm projecting to be in a position to open the new Hatchville Fire Station sometime in
early to mid July. Again, based upon all of these things coming together at the right time, the new four-fold doors being installed without issue, um the uh implementation, the launch of the CAD system, the station alerting system, and the very important big piece, the
staffing model, uh that that that picture remaining positive trend. Um the average daily number of staffing being uh being being constant. And just to um clarify, this is staffing a sixstation model. Yes, six station
model. Thank you. That's an important uh uh clarification or part of this um based upon select board um direction to me a year and a half ago uh operating a sixstation model. Thank you. Got a question, Mr. Brown. Little little beyond the scope, but maybe you can
answer. Are we going to need to renegotiate for uh 18 at start of shift to to be ready to open? No. Um it's as it appears right now we are not going to that that was a consideration at one point. We were having some initial discussions. Um we feel that there's a
there's another um there's another model staffing model um utilizing existing staffing from uh station 5 to move over. So we can we can have we can meet the contractual obligations to have two firefighters, two staff members on an apparatus on a piece of equipment that's
in by contract. Um based upon the again the that average daily staffing at the beginning of the shift, we feel comfortable if nothing changes and that trend continues as it's been the past couple few months, we would not have to go to an 18 minimum staffing model.
Okay. And negotiate that. Did I capture that correctly? Are you anything else from your report? I do have one other thing. Sorry. Um again, fire rescue related. Um back in uh at town meeting back in November of 2023, as you all may recall, um town meeting
approved the appropriation of about $80,000 uh for um the West Felmouth Fire Station improvements was the category that included repair of the rear stairwell, which was accomplished. Um and I think everybody's happy with that project and
the way it turned out. But um perhaps more importantly, it involved a um engineering structural uh feasibility study to um look at perhaps adding an additional bay on the side of the current building. Um that would allow
for be constructed so a uh a fire engine, an apparatus could occupy the new bay. Um and an ambulance perhaps could could be uh positioned uh in the uh the old the current bay. Um so we uh two weeks ago uh myself and the DPW
director and the fire chief met with uh an engineering firm Gail and Associates. Um Gail has a lot of experience in this area and they gave us a proposal that I re recently signed off. Right now the contract documents are being drawn up. So, I hope to launch that feasibility
study with regards to expanding West Felmouth Station 4 um in the next couple few weeks. Great. Thank you for that. Good news. Appreciate it. Really good news. Mr. Mscali, just one other item if if I may. uh the the calendar that we uh
voted on uh for future meetings uh I did not notice at the time, but uh after our meeting on May 19th, we will not meet again or we're not scheduled to meet again until I believe it's June 16th. Uh and I've spoke with Mr.
uh about the possibility of getting another meeting in there possibly that June 5th, I think, or June 6th. Uh we we're going to have three two how many new members are we going to have? No.
Possibly three, but probably possibly three. Uh in in any event, uh I I've asked him to look to to possibly schedule a meeting uh at at that time. I mean, I'll look at the is a Friday night. No, no, no, no, no. Whatever. I don't have my
calendar. I think it's maybe June 3rd. The first the first Tuesday of the month, I think is what the discussion we were having. Is that That would be June. Okay. Could you send that that date to Mr. Ren? We can consider that on May 19th. Adding a date. Abs. Absolutely. Okay. I'll bring a revised calendar that
was adopted by the board previously and we'll insert that for discussion. One second. the uh yeah the the problem was that the Mondays both of which were religious holidays and that's why we didn't schedule them on those Mondays and then the next available Monday was
June 16th. So if you want to do an off date then it would it would be like June 3rd I think we would be looking send it to Mr. Renshaw and he said he could update the calendar and then you can vote it on the 19th. Not a bad idea. Yep. Anything else? Nope. Okay. How
about select board reports? Miss Goldstone. Uh I attended the uh freshwater planned advisory committee uh meeting. Um and uh I think everyone should be aware they had some lively
discussion about um possible uh fertilizer uh regulation, fertilizer ban, but not really going to the extent of ban um and talking about how uh something like that might move forward. Um so I think um an important discussion
to uh stay a breast of. Thank you. Any other select board reports? I'll be going to visit Nucket again Friday with the Cape Municipal Leaders Group and we're going to be checking out the compost facility and uh getting a better understanding of how
they manage their waste over there. Thank you. Any other reports, Mr. Mscali? No, ma'am. I'm just going to ask you again. Happy to make a motion to adjurnn. There you go. Okay. I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. Okay. I have a motion
in a second. All those in favor. Thank you. [Music] [Music]
The Steamship Authority is a proud partner in many Falmouth community events, including town meeting coverage, and for good reason. Not only do we have a terminal and offices here, about onethird of our employees call Falmouth their home. We always work hard to serve our neighbors, friends, and the traveling public. We recently put seven
new electric buses into service at our Falmouth parking lots. Soon we'll be adding new vessels to our fleet, continuing work on our energy efficient woodsole terminal buildings, and adding solar panels at our largest parking lot. At the Steamship Authority, we're serving the islands and you. Welcome to
the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce. The Falmouth Chamber is dedicated to working on behalf of our members to make Falmouth a better place to live, work, and conduct business. We are committed to developing the economic, cultural, educational, and civic interests of our
community and welcome the support from all organizations to achieve our combined goals. Whether you call Falmouth at home, are a summer resident, or a visitor, we hope you take advantage of all that the chamber has to offer. Hosting services for fct.org are
provided by Megaet Communications. Megaet offers a wide array of internet services including mega backup cloud service, server colllocation, T1 fiber, metro Ethernet, as well as telephone services such as hosted PBX and digital
voice. Their number one goal is to keep your communications network up and running and allow you to focus on growing your business. 877-6342638 or meganet.net. Net.