HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Comment from Elizabeth FreedmanJacob Dewey, Chair
Barnstable Zoning Board of Appeals
Town Hall
367 Main Street
Barnstable, MA 02631
July 7, 2025
Subject: Wilkens Lane Affordable and Workforce Housing
To the Board of Appeals,
My name is Liz Freedman, and I had the privilege of serving as Principal of Barnstable
High School for three years, concluding last year. I'm also a parent with children
currently in the Barnstable school system, so I speak to you today not only as a former
school leader, but as a parent strongly invested in the future of this community.
Throughout my time as principal, one of the most persistent and troubling challenges we
faced was the lack of affordable housing. Time and again, when hiring talented
educators and staff, supervisors would quietly check applicants’ addresses. If they didn’t
have a Cape address, the question quickly became: Will they be able to stay? Did they
know someone in the Cape if needed? When someone did list a local address, there
was always a sigh of relief—not just because they were from this beautiful area, but
because we knew housing would not be a barrier to them accepting or keeping the job.
But even that isn’t always a guarantee. I personally know of teachers who have had to
rely on winter rentals—forced to uproot their lives each summer so the property owner
could move back in or rent to vacationers at a higher rate. That’s not just disruptive —
it’s demoralizing. And it’s certainly not the kind of situation that helps us attract or retain
high-quality educators.
In my time as principal, the housing issue only worsened. The lack of affordable housing
has real consequences for our schools, our students, and the broader community.
This proposed project would bring much-needed affordable housing to our area.
I ask you to approve the Wilkens Lane special permit — not just for today’s workforce,
but for the long-term health and strength of our schools and community.
Yours Truly,
Elizabeth Freedman
Barnstable, MA