HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Comment from Bolliger in OppositionLETTER TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
June 10, 2026
RE: Appeal of the Building Permit for 460 West Main Street
Dear Sirs and Madams:
We are concerned residents of Barnstable who would like to express our objections to the
Building Permit that was granted to the Housing Assistance Corporation for the relocation
of St. Joseph’s House to 460 West Main Street. In hindsight the Town should have had
zoning restrictions in place to have prohibited this development due to public and school
safety concerns. It is my understanding that the current shelter at 77 Winter Street is a low
barrier shelter which implies no meaningful vetting for neighbors in need at the facility.
There has been the necessity to wand those entering the facility for weapons and drug
paraphernalia. That fact in of itself, speaks volumes in what activity can be expected
around the grounds and immediate neighborhood for the proposed site. This will surely
bring blight to such a vibrant and growing commercial/residential corridor of Hyannis.
Although we do not live in Hyannis, we recognize that this village does more than its share
to provide services to the most vulnerable in our Town. The fact that it is expected to do
that for the whole Cape is ridiculous. We do not need a regional shelter. We need small,
faith-based, solutions sprinkled throughout the Cape. This will minimize impacts, and keep
those in need connected to their communities. Congregating people with mental illness,
substance abuse, and yes, criminal backgrounds is a recipe for disaster. There are no
“economies of scale” in the social service arena. People need one-on-one help.
We hope you will reconsider the Building Inspector’s decision. It never considered the
impact to Barnstable, and in particular Hyannis residents and businesses along West Main
Street. And please note that HAC’s own consultants ruled this location out from the
beginning of their site assessments. And lastly, policies that Catholic Charities and HAC
have employed throughout the years should be re-examined. They have been an abject
failure.
Thank you for your dedicated deliberations on this matter,
Dr. & Mrs. Glen Bolliger
298 Starboard Lane
Osterville, MA