Barnstable town manager gives regular update on budgets, environment, events and infrastructure

In a recorded town manager update covering May 27 through June 9, Mark Ells summarized routine and near-term matters for Barnstable residents: the proposed FY27 operating and capital budgets are posted and public hearings begin June 11; preliminary FY27 tax bills will be mailed and are calculated at 50% of last year’s assessed totals, with payments due Aug. 3 and Nov. 2, 2026; the town will transition to ClearGov budget transparency software around July 1; MassDEP guidance on approved alternative septic technologies was received; Eugenia Fort's beach vehicle access will be temporarily closed June 10 to protect nesting shorebirds; Hyannis will present a drone light show for the July 4 celebration because the harbor cannot accommodate a legally sighted fireworks barge; and the Sagamore and Bourne bridge projects are moving through permitting, bidding and maintenance phases with reconstruction timelines and funding prospects discussed at a bridge coalition meeting.