Last Friday was Nick Cortese’s last day working for the Town of Barnstable. Nick has been the host of Barnstable This Morning for the past two years and also produced our nightly Barnstable Today program. His last show began with a series of surprise guests and continued through the morning with good cheer and well wishes from many of the 25 interviewees Nick interacted with each week. The new host of Barnstable This Morning will be Sarah Colvin. Sarah joins us after many years as a radio news reporter and news director with WQRC-FM. Sarah will be on-air beginning Monday, August 1st.
In memory of Mary G. Santos, a long time volunteer for Meals on Wheels and many other Town activities, a dedication ceremony for the Mary G. Santos Memorial will take place today, July 29th at 1PM on the Hyannis Village Green. Mrs. Santos worked as a clerk at the former Dumont’s and Acme pharmacies during the 1930s and 1940s. She worked for Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands from 1968 to 1985. She was a member of the Emblem Club, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars, all in Hyannis, and the American Legion in Yarmouth and was a communicant of St. Francis Xavier Church in Hyannis and belonged to its guild. Mary was the first to volunteer for many public events. A tree was dedicated to her many years ago and the placing of a stone honoring Mary completes the Town’s tribute to this wonderful citizen.
This week we mourned the passing of Ed Semprini, the dean of the Cape Cod Press Corps. Everyone who knew him defined him as the consummate professional. The legacy he leaves is filled with integrity, fairness and the highest ethical and professional standards in local journalism. Ed always was willing to spend time and offer advice to young journalists wanting to follow in Ed’s footsteps. Ed will be missed by many on Cape Cod and we extend our sympathies to his family.
On Tuesday the Town Council agenda meeting was held. The August 4th agenda includes a proposed ordinance for a West Barnstable Village Business District; several grant acceptances; two easements for the Stewart’s Creek Restoration project; a self-insuring Workers’ Comp Program ordinance; creation of a gift account for the Centerville Playground; and several reappointments and appointments to various committees. Before getting to the above business the Council will be addressing four Open Meeting Law Complaints filed by both councilors and two citizens.
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) has selected Barnstable as one of 25 cities and towns across the state to receive four charging stations. These charging stations will be located at municipal sites to encourage the use of electric vehicles in our community. In the announcement Secretary Richard K. Sullivan of EOEEA said, “Electric vehicle technology is a significant way to reduce greenhouse gas emission and expand our clean energy economy.” Falmouth and Nantucket also received grants.
I have asked the Barnstable Police Department to investigate the destruction of several cedar trees on town property over at Fortes Beach, Hyannisport. Many trees were “topped” in the middle of the night. The Conservation Commission has worked with neighbors in Hyannisport to control the vegetation in this coastal dune area and I am disappointed someone would clear cut this area without permission.
Time Capsule: You may recall that a time capsule was uncovered during the renovation of the Town Hall. The hope of those placing the 1896 time capsule was that it would be opened in 200 years. We have decided to honor that request and put the time capsule back in the cornerstone location. At the same time we thought placing an additional capsule (turns out there is room for a small container) would be of interest to future Barnstable residents. Working with the Town Clerk’s office we will decide what to place in the capsule. Probably a town report, a description of the renovations and uses since the building was built, and newspaper articles will be in the capsule. We are seeking your suggestions for what should be placed in the new time capsule.Feel free to email your suggestions to tmnewslettergroup@town.barnstable.ma.us. We have some time on this because we have to get the new time capsule, so put on your thinking caps!
Many have a love hate relationship with Seagulls–but artist Leo Sewell believes they are beautiful and has now immortalized them with his new sculptures expected to land in front of the Wings store on Hyannis, Main Street early next week. The artwork, provided by Wings is a part of their original regulatory agreement to place sculpture in front of their storefront.
The eighteenth session of Inside Barnstable Town Government, A Citizens Leadership Academybegins Wednesday, September 7, 2011 and runs through November 17, 2011. The free academy is an 11-week commitment and students will learn about the operations of town government. The program is designed to advance understanding of and participation in civic affairs as well as to increase awareness of the challenges facing municipal government. All classes will be on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-9:00 pm and will be held in various locations throughout the Town. The Academy also includes a bus tour of the seven villages. The classes will be conducted by Town staff and provide interactive learning experiences, group discussions, and site tours. Applications are available in the Town Manager’s Office or online at www.town.barnstable.ma.us. To receive an application by mail or fax, please call 508-862-4610. For specific information, you may call either of the Academy facilitators: Susan French (508-362-2864) or Meg Loughran (508-362-5490).