Barnstable Council Approves $68,000 Golf Fix, Elder and Youth Grants in March Session

BARNSTABLE -- March 3, 2022, Barnstable Town Council approves infrastructure grants and committee appointments while housing concerns dominate public comment. The council voted unanimously across multiple roll calls at its March 3 remote meeting to approve a $68,000 golf operations repair appropriation, accept a $154,140 Elder Affairs grant for the Council on Aging, and accept a $60,000 American Rescue Plan grant for the Youth Commission, with Town Manager Mark Ells also reporting the town secured an $11.47 million general obligation bond at 2.13 percent interest through Piper Sandler and Company, carrying a reaffirmed AAA rating from Standard and Poor's. Five public speakers pressed the council on the affordable housing crisis, prompting Councilor David Hebert to call for a regional approach that moves "beyond the 10 percent" affordability standard and for a housing investment exceeding the county's current $1 million commitment. Cape Cod Community College President John Cox appeared to update the council on the Frank and Maureen Wilkins Science and Engineering Center, on schedule and within budget for an August 2022 opening, with councilors urging Cox to pursue student dormitories. Three items, likely zoning or development matters, were continued to the March 17 meeting after Councilors Neary, Atzlis, and Shaughnessy recused themselves, stripping the body of a quorum.