Cape Cod Ledger

Town Administrator's Report

March 14, 2023

 

1. Winter Storm Information From Dennis Police Department –

WHAT...High winds gusting between 60-65mph, some reaching 70+mph with heavy rain.

IMPACTS...The soaked ground and high winds may knock down trees and limbs which may impact power lines.  The highest winds are forecast to occur from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday, early afternoon.  Trace amounts of snow may be possible toward the end of the storm.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

Secure items on your property that are outside, or bring them inside during the storm. Anyone who loses power and heat and need to leave their home may call the Dennis Police Department at 508-394-1313, at which time they will be asked to come to the Dennis Police station, 90 Bob Crowell Road, South Dennis, where the Community Room will be open as a temporary warming shelter.

If there is demand for a larger warming shelter the town will open the Dennis Council on Aging Center, 1045 Route 134, South Dennis.

Citizens encountering fallen trees or wires should call the Police Department using the 911 system - if an emergency - or dialing 508-394-1313. Do not go near downed lines – they may be charged. Police or fire personnel will respond to these calls and notify appropriate utilities.

Contact Eversource (Electric Company) to report any power outages at 1-800-592-2000. Citizens are encouraged to use the Eversource phone system to report power outages – the system automatically tracks these calls and provides information to Eversource as to how many people are out in a given area. The system will also give the caller a call back to provide information as to when the power is expected to be turned back on.

Use 911 for emergencies only, for all other calls you can dial 508-394-1313.

2. The Town of Dennis is Hiring for Seasonal Positions!

Town of Dennis is Now Hiring for summer seasonal positions, including Lifeguards, Police Community Service Officers, Natural Resource Monitors, Golf Rangers and Laborers, Beach Attendants, and Recreation Counselors and Instructors. Applications are open for the 2022 Summer Season.

We also have many year-round full and part-time openings as well.

View current job openings here.

3. 2023 Annual Town Meeting (ATM) –

The Select Board is underway with their review of Town Meeting Articles for placement on the Warrant, the Board will continue their review over the next several meetings.  The Finance Committee will soon commence their review of Town Meeting articles.  The Planning Board will be meeting on any proposed Zoning Articles.  It is anticipated the Select Board will review the final 2023 Town Meeting Warrant at a meeting in early April.  All Town Meeting Article/Warrant Review are held in meetings that are available for the public to attend in person or via zoom.  Please see the Meeting Calendar on the Town website for dates/times/locations and meeting agendas.

Pursuant to the Code of the Town of Dennis, By-Law:

Chapter 40, § 1, the Annual Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, the Select Board Opened the Town Meeting Warrant at their meeting held on Tuesday January 10th.

Chapter 40, § 2 and under the MGL ch. 39, § 10, the Annual Town Meeting Warrant & Election Warrant will be posted no later than Tuesday, April 25, 2023.  

Chapter 40, § 8, Citizens Petitions are due to the Town Clerk’s Office no later than 4:00 pm on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. 

Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 51, §§ 26, 28, the last day to register to vote at both the Annual Town Meeting and the Annual Town Election is Friday, April 21, 2023.

 

4. Cape Cod Commission 2024 Regional Transportation Plan Update -

Let your voice be heard: Attend a public meeting and take our survey 

For Immediate Release (March 8, 2023) – The Cape Cod Commission is seeking comments and input from the public to support development of the 2024 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP).  

The RTP sets the long-range vision for the transportation system on Cape Cod in 2050. It is the primary means for the allocation of federal and state funds for the Cape's transportation needs. The Cape Cod Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), a collaboration of local, regional, state, and federal transportation officials, is charged with updating the RTP this spring. 

The Cape Cod Commission wants to hear from you. What is your vision for the future of transportation on Cape Cod? More sidewalks and bike paths? Increased bus service? Commuter rail? Improved pavement conditions? Replacement of the existing Canal bridges? Safer roadways? Increased access to electric vehicle charging stations? 

To kick off the RTP development process, a series of Listening Sessions have been scheduled to gather early public input. Each Listening Session will include a presentation and time for questions and comments.  

Regional Transportation Plan Listening Sessions:

Monday, March 20, 2023 | 5:00 PMTruro Town Hall 24 Town Hall Road, Truro, MA

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 | 11:00 AMHyannis Transportation Center215 Iyannough Road, Hyannis

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 | 6:00 PM VIRTUALwww.capecodcommission.org/outreach/join Passcode: JoinPhone: (929) 205-6099Meeting ID: 961 1903 7671

An online survey will be made available later this month. To learn more about upcoming meetings, view a recording of the virtual meeting, and participate in the online survey, visit www.capecodcommission.org/rtp.  

Contact Colleen Medeiros, Cape Cod Commission Transportation Program Manager, with any comments or questions. Email: colleen.medeiros@capecodcommission.org; Phone: 508-362-3828; Fax: 508-362-3136 Attn: Colleen Medeiros Mail/in person: 3225 Main Street (Route 6A) | PO Box 226, Barnstable, MA 02630

 

5. 2023 Sticker Sales Kickoff –

The Finance Department announces 2023 in-person and online sticker sales information;

February 15, 2023 - Transfer Station permits available for on-line purchase 

March 15, 2023 – Beach and Harbor permits available for on-line purchase 

April 3, 2023 – ORV permits available for on-line purchase 

April 3, 2023 – Sticker Office open for in person Transfer Station, Beach and Harbor Sales, part-time (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 10am – 2 pm) 

May 1, 2023 – Sticker Office open for in person Transfer Station, Beach and Harbor Permits (Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm) 

May 20, 2023 – Sticker Office adds in person hours on Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 2pm

This information will be posted on our website as well as shared on social media.

TOWN OF DENNIS STICKER OFFICE ACTIVITY FY2022 SEASON

 

6. Haigis Beach Seawall Update on Work to be Completed –

As you may know, Haigis Beach revetment sustained damages as the result of the December 23, 2022 winter storm, requiring emergency response/repair to the damaged revetment.  The Select Board and Finance Committee approved a reserve fund transfer request in the amount of $18,500 to address the immediate emergency repairs necessary to ensure the seawall is safe.  The Engineering report and recommendation has been completed.  The report cites the immediate safety concern and need for preventative measures.  The recommendation is to collapse the voids created by the wash out from the storm.  Large caverns were created with boulders precariously hanging in the air. Two significant sections of the wall have been effected.  All care will be shown to protect the existing stairs.

Both MassDEP and our Engineer have reviewed the applicable regulations to evaluate the use of concrete.  Both have determined this would be in direct violation of resource protection regulations.  In addition, it would pose a significant problem when a permanent repair is made.  The process will be:

• Utilize an excavator with a hammer attachment to break up the concrete suspending the boulders in the air.
• install 3-5" minus stone first
• install 6-12" minus stone on top of that
• Larger boulders may be required based on the Engineer's observation as the work progresses
• Then replenish and fill all remaining voids with beach sand.

A sieve analysis has been completed and approved for the sand that will be utilized. Sand has been stockpiled at the site. 

Stone has been procured.  The machine has been reserved.  All work will be performed from the top of the wall.  No work will be performed on the beach.  The intent with this approach is to make the wall safe and stabilize it as much as possible (for as long as possible) until a final repair/ solution plan has been achieved.

The work plan has been reviewed and approved by Conservation.  An emergency permit to proceed has been issued.  Work is scheduled to begin this Monday and could take up to two weeks.  All work will be complete by April 1st.

 

7. Glendon Beach Portable Rest Facilities –

On October 5, 2022 the Select Board were presented with three options for the sanitary facilities at Glendon Beach.  These options included installing infrastructure for a portable facility, rehabilitation of the existing facility or demolish existing and provide ADA complaint temporary restroom facilities.  The Select Board voted unanimously for the temporary facilities.

This review was precipitated by the need to replace the existing sanitary facility.  It was a 50-year-old wood frame structure in severe disrepair.  It was not ADA complaint.  In May of 2018 ATA Article # 16 was passed in the amount of $150,000 for the complete replacement of the facility.  This started a three-year regulatory process where it was determined an in-kind building similar to what had been constructed at other beaches would not be allowed.  This was due to the facility being located within a flood plain, and coastal resource area.  Building Code prohibits the proposed structure in a flood zone.

Initially a portable sanitary facility seemed like a viable option.  However, as the project progressed the costs escalated significantly.  The lowest bid received to build the necessary infrastructure to accommodate the portable facility was $239,000.  This would result in an overall projected project cost of over $370,000.   Given this extremely high cost, the Select Board evaluated the three scenarios presented.

After a review of the options the Board determined the actual costs and challenges far outweighed any potential benefits.  This left the portable toilets option as the only realistically viable option. This option has allowed for beach and dune restoration; enhanced views; added a larger beach area for patrons and additional parking spaces resulted.  ADA complaint portable toilets will now be available onsite for the first time.  In totality this has resulted in additional services to our residents and guests.

The demolition has been completed.  The old septic system tank and field have been removed and properly disposed of.  The beach and bulkhead have been restored.  Conservation has signed off on and approved the completion of the demolition and beach restoration.  The blocks have been set for the temporary sanitary facilities area and Sea Grass storage raked up from the beach.  Fencing will be installed next.  Currently the original appropriation has a surplus of $69,110.60.  The project will be complete before the April 1st deadline.

Please stay safe with the forecasted weather event today and tomorrow.

Respectfully,

Elizabeth C. Sullivan

Town Administrator

Original source can be found here.