HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRAFT Facilities ChapterBarnstable LCP – DRAFT Town Facilities
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TOWN FACILITIES CHAPTER
INTRODUCTION
Why Town Facilities Matter?
The Town of Barnstable’s facilities play an important role in enhancing the health, safety, education, and
economic vitality of the community for both residents and visitors. These facilities provide a platform
for delivering a diverse range of educational and recreational services and programs, catering to various
ages and interests and fostering a vibrant and connected community.
Please see Section 4: Built Systems of the Existing Conditions Report for more detailed information on
town facilities.
DATA SHEET
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WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED?
The Town of Barnstable last adopted its LCP in 2010. A great deal of work was put into the development
of that plan, and it has been actively implemented over the past fourteen years. Below is a high-level
overview of some notable implementation achievements related to Town Facilities.
Plans Achieved
The 2010 LCP called for the creation and adoption of several new or updated plans, many of which have
been addressed since then.
Town of Barnstable ADA Self Evaluation and Transition Plan (2021)
Identifies issues and conditions that could impact individuals with disabilities and sets forth a written
process and method to modify, replace, or remove identified Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
compliance issues and conditions over time.
Town of Barnstable Legacy Program (2022)
Provides a uniform and mindful process for requests to honor Barnstable community
members on public properties, through the purchase and placement of items that
incorporate recognition or commemoration.
Gateway Airport Master Plan (2022)
The Master Plan is a long-term land use plan for the Gateway Airport required by the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA). The primary objectives of the Master Plan are to ensure safe and operationally
efficient facilities that meet FAA standards, develop feasible and flexible alternatives to meet forecasted
demand, and define compatible land uses surrounding the airport.
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Barnstable Public Schools Facilities Condition Assessment (2023)
Analysis of existing conditions of the ten (10) Barnstable Public School buildings totaling 1,062,600 gross
square feet, a space utilization assessment, and identification of more than 1,000 individual capital
improvement projects.
Open Space and Recreation Plan (2018)
The Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) is a blueprint to guide the Town’s plans, investments,
policies and regulations in support of protecting and enhancing open space and recreation resources. It
provides a realistic plan of action to address issues, challenges and opportunities to meet the
community’s open space and recreation needs.
Comprehensive Athletic Fields and Courts Study (Weston & Sampson for DPW) (2017)
The purpose of the study was to determine the types, quantities, and potential locations of athletic
fields needed by the Town both now and in the future. The scope of work included documenting
existing usage, understanding potential future usages based on trends, and comparing that information
with an inventory and condition assessment of existing fields to create a 20-year Strategic Plan for
capital expenditure, maintenance, and future field development.
Efforts Achieved
The 2010 LCP called for many strategies and actions for the Town to pursue related to Facilities. Below
is a summary of the key achievements.
Facility Improvements: Structures
Several improvements have been achieved for structures over the last 5 to 10 years including Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility improvements at the Barnstable Community Innovation School
and Town Hall including renovating the restrooms at Town Hall and ADA parking spaces at the
Innovation School; structural repair and replacement including replacement of the entire roofing system
at the Barnstable Community Innovation School, replacement of the fire sprinkler at the Senior Center,
replacement of the truss system within the cafeteria at the Hyannis West Elementary School, removal
and replacement of the unit heaters and chiller at the Barnstable Police Department and removal and
replacement of windows at the West Barnstable Community Building; interior renovations including
renovation of the Senior Center kitchen, interior upgrades the Barnstable Police Department, and
replacement of lavatory fixtures and drinking fountains at Barnstable United Elementary School.
Facility Improvements: Fields
Several improvements have been achieved for fields over the last 5 to 10 years including full
reconstruction of the existing softball field and improvements to the parking area at Lombard Field as
well as relocation of Luke’s Love playground and memorial brick walk and installation of 12 pickleball
courts and related site work in Marstons Mills.
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Community Preservation Act (CPA) Facilities Efforts
Between 2006-2024 a total of $6,581,169 dollars were awarded with Community Preservation Act (CPA)
funds in support of 25 recreation projects. Projects include topographical survey and design for the Cape
Cod Rail Trail; playground construction, renovation and equipment; and design and maintenance for and
construction of recreation fields.
ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES
The facilities maintained by the Town of Barnstable face challenges including resilience to climate
change, rising costs of construction and maintenance, and fluctuating seasonal demand. The Town has
the opportunity, through anticipating needs and regulations, evaluating environmental and social
conditions, and coordinating implementation to protect, preserve, and improve town facilities for the
next generation.
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Public Facilities and Services
Public Safety
With a staff of almost 150, the Barnstable Police Department is one of the busiest dispatch centers in
Massachusetts. Staff have outgrown existing office spaces and now employ cubicles and village
substations to supplement facility needs. In addition, the Department has reported staffing/hiring
challenges.
Barnstable is divided into five fire districts, independently governed by elected Prudential Committees,
for the provision of emergency services including fire and emergency medical response. The Hyannis
Fire District was the first district formed in 1896 after Town Meeting rejected the creation of a town-
wide fire department due to Barnstable’s size and number of villages. All components of public safety
face seasonal fluctuations in community needs with an influx of tourists and seasonal populations.
Libraries
Barnstable is home to seven independent libraries, with one private, non-profit organization contracted
with the Town in each village to provide library services to residents. These seven libraries offer diverse
life-long educational opportunities, including youth and adult programming, museum passes, and access
to databases and eBooks. They are each a beloved cultural institution and critical to the social cohesion
of the villages and neighborhoods they serve. The libraries face challenges including aging buildings and
limited physical space. In particular, the Hyannis Public Library, recently developed plans to renovate a
portion of the existing building and to add a new addition which will support expanding and evolving
programming and services. The proposed renovation features a teaching kitchen, a children’s room as
well as a separate youth section, flexible spaces to host a range of activities including large workshops
and individual study and enhanced access to multiple outdoor spaces.
Education
The Barnstable Public School District benefits from a diverse student body and a low student to teacher
ratio (11.6 students per teacher), meaning more opportunities for individualized teaching and care. The
district faces challenges, such as aging buildings, limited physical space, and discouraging long-term
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enrollment trends. Additionally, Cape Cod’s high cost of living and housing makes it harder for the
district to recruit and maintain teachers, administrators, and other staff. According to the Massachusetts
Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), as of 2023, Barnstable students’ performance is “partially
meeting expectations”.
West Barnstable is home to Cape Cod Community College, which offers associate degree programs.
Additionally, Cape Cod Regional Technical High School (in nearby Harwich) provides training in different
trades, such as plumbing, carpentry, and culinary arts. These and other resources help individuals
enhance technical skills, achieve career goals, and meet the needs of the ever-changing regional
economy.
Community Centers
The Barnstable Adult Community Center (BACC) and the Hyannis Youth Community Center (HYCC)
continue to serve as focal points for many community recreation programs and services. The Barnstable
Adult Community Center Master Plan project is currently analyzing available development and
recreational opportunities on the property around the BACC. Built in 2009, the Hyannis Youth and
Community Center offers a year-round indoor sports complex with two ice rinks, a multi-sport
gymnasium, and a walking track. This property has the opportunity for master planning and expansion
of recreational amenities. There is also an opportunity to replace the now-demolished Osterville
Recreation Building with a new, modern recreation center.
Recreational Resources
The highlight of Barnstable’s recreational infrastructure is its beaches. Beach and/or bathhouse
improvement needs have been identified at Hamblin Pond, Joshua’s Pond, Dowses, Sea Street, Covell’s,
Loops, and Kalmus. An evaluation should be conducted to determine if bathhouses should be improved
or replaced. Opportunities for enhancement of the Veteran’s Park Beach and Hathaway’s Pond with
additional recreational amenities (splash pad, playground equipment) also exist. The JFK Memorial on
Ocean Street is also in great need of renovation. There have been recent efforts to provide safe,
accessible playground facilities in all of the villages, supported by the Community Preservation
Committee. Recent accomplishments include improvements to Luke’s Love Playground in West
Barnstable, Barnstable Hollow in Barnstable Village and improvements to playgrounds in Centerville and
Osterville are underway. Recreational access to the water is a consistently high priority when residents
are surveyed through the Open Space and Recreation Planning process. Boat ramps and marinas,
including Gary Brown, Wequaquet, and Prince Cove, have annually reoccurring issues with overcrowding
and lack of trailer parking. Scudder Lane and Bay Street experience parking issues during shellfish
season. Opportunities to enhance public waterfront access should be explored when they arise.
The Town owns and operates two public golf courses. The maintenance of these courses are funded
through an enterprise account and the Town should continue to evaluate capital needs, revenues, and
opportunities for the future for these properties.
Historic Buildings
Over time, the Town has acquired a number of historic buildings and associated properties to secure
their preservation. Some of these buildings come with deferred maintenance issues, and others should
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be maintained in accordance with historic standards. Some buildings, like Town Hall, host town offices,
and others, like Burgess House and the Zion Union Heritage Church, serve civic functions. Strategies
should be put in place for continuing to prioritize the needs of these historic structures over time.
GOALS & STRATEGIES
Public Facilities and Services
Provide well-maintained public facilities and services that serve the current and future
social, economic, cultural, safety, traffic, and communication needs of the community; that
are equitably distributed; and are provided with minimal environmental impact.
Strategy: When allocating resources to meet capital needs, the Town will consider major
maintenance of existing facilities, revenue from the disposition of existing facilities and the
provision of new or expanded facilities.
Strategy: The Town will ensure that those facilities and services necessary to support
development and redevelopment will be adequate to serve the development at the time the
development is available for occupancy or use, without decreasing levels of service adopted by
this plan.
Strategy: Funding of major capital facilities will typically rely on long-term financing and not on
current revenues. The term of the financing should generally be no longer than the useful life of
the facility.
Strategy: The Town may apply various alternative funding mechanisms in the development of
capital improvements identified in the Capital Facilities Section to optimize use of limited Town
resources. Such mechanisms include joint ventures with the private sector, grants, or other
means.
Strategy: The Town will support and encourage the joint planning, siting, development and use
of public facilities and services with other governmental or community organizations in areas of
mutual concern and benefit in order to maximize efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize impacts
on the environment.
Strategy: Services provided through enterprise accounts including, but not limited, to Water
Pollution Control, Solid Waste Division, Sandy Neck, Barnstable Municipal Airport, Fairgrounds
and Hyannis Golf Courses and Town Marinas will be paid primarily by users, except in unusual
circumstances where the public benefit may justify the use of general funds. When facility
improvements provide benefits primarily to a limited group of users the costs will generally be
paid by the benefited parties through Local Improvement Districts (LIDs) or other means.
Provide high quality public safety services for the residents of Barnstable through cost
effective maintenance and upgrades of facilities and equipment.
Strategy: Maintain and purchase vehicles and equipment as necessary to meet applicable
standards.
Strategy: Upgrade and maintain emergency communication equipment.
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Strategy: Consider the impact of new development presenting extraordinary impacts on
Barnstable's public safety services during project review and mitigate those impacts to the
extent feasible.
Provide educational facilities to meet the present and future needs of Barnstable residents.
Strategy: Continue to work with the school department to plan for and fund facility
maintenance and upgrade of school properties.
Strategy: Because of the scarcity of developable land and the cyclical nature of population
trends, the Town should identify and secure or retain land for future school facility expansion.
Strategy: Ensure that buildout projections and residential development approvals are
communicated to the affected public school district in a timely manner so they can plan
effectively for future needs.
Continue existing operations at the Barnstable Municipal Airport.
Strategy: Enhance coordination between the Airport Commission’s master planning activities
and the Town’s Planning and Development Department.
Strategy: Actively explore integration of multi-modal transportation services with airport
services.
Strategy: Implement goals established within the Airport Master Plan.
MAPS
Mapping is an important tool for visualizing policies. The maps below can help the community see
where town services and facilities exist today.
Please see the Existing Conditions Report for a fuller range of maps.
Map X: Map of Town Facilities