Lifelong Barnstable Resident Atsalis Declares For Council Opening

BARNSTABLE, MA – A local realtor and lifelong Barnstable resident who says he has the experience in both the public and private sector needed to make a difference in the community is the latest candidate to replace Britt Beedenbender on the Barnstable Town Council.

Nikolas “Nik” Atsalis announced his candidacy on Monday to seek the seat on the council representing Precinct 4 and has vowed to help Barnstable and Centerville recover from the economic trauma caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Atsalis, who is married and the father of two, is a realtor with William Raveis Realty and also serves as a member of the Barnstable Recreation Committee.

“I’m running for Town Council because it is crucial that our town has experienced leaders as we deal with the coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout,” Atsalis said in a news release announcing his candidacy. “We need someone who will make sure we receive our fair share of recovery funding, supports our small businesses during this challenging time, and someone who works aggressively on behalf of the residents of Precinct 4 and the entire Town of Barnstable.

“My combination of private and public sector experience means I’ll be ready to lead from my first day in office.”

For Atsalis, the key issues facing the town are short-term rentals, the cost of municipal sewer projects and how they will be paid for and the church steeple cell tower.

As part of the town’s Recreation Committee, Atsalis, 51, is part of a group that assists town officials with rules and regulations for playgrounds, athletic fields and the municipal ice rink. Prior to working in real estate, Atsalis had a successful career in the information technology staffing industry and owned his own staffing business.

If elected, Atsalis would replace Beedenbender, who resigned as Councilor last month citing the rigors of the job, a lack of support from town officials and insults from the community. The town charter requires a special election to fill the remainder of Beedenbender’s term. The election will be held Nov. 3 in conjunction with the general election.

Jeffrey Swartz, the vice chairman of the Barnstable Planning Board, has also announced his candidacy for the seat on the Council.