Board appoints volunteers to dozens of town committees; Cape Cod Commission seat goes to Michael McGee

The board met on Tuesday, April 7 in the Stone Hearing Room and by Zoom to interview and appoint volunteers to a range of town committees and commissions, approving most nominees by voice vote and selecting Michael McGee to fill the town's seat on the Cape Cod Commission.

The meeting, convened under state law and a March 28, 2025 amendment, was dedicated to committee interviews and appointments. The chair outlined an informal process for candidates to introduce themselves and answer questions before the board moved on motions to appoint.

Several long-term and civic-minded residents were appointed to multi-year terms. Kathleen ("Kate") Kane, who said she serves on the Dennisport West Dennis Advancement Committee and chairs the Zoning Bylaw Study Committee, was appointed to the 1867 West Ennis Graded Schoolhouse committee with a term to expire March 31, 2029. Barbara Hoose, an art-museum docent who volunteers at the local museum, was appointed to the Arts and Culture Council to a term ending March 31, 2029. Luke Fury, a construction company president who described experience with septic plans and the Dennis Housing Authority, was named to the Board of Health through March 31, 2028.

Other appointments included Catherine (listed in the record as Catherine/Kathleen) Travello to the Caleb Chase Fund (term to 03/31/2027), Rico Muldera to the Capital Outlay Committee (term to 03/31/2029), Josh Vermeer to the Community Preservation Act Committee (term to 03/31/2029), and Robert (Bob) Sarette to the Council on Aging (term to 03/31/2029). Several other committee seats were filled including Barry McLaughlin for the Dennisport/West Dennis Advancement Committee, Larry Bridal to the Library Board, Joe Remillard as an alternate on the Waterways Commission, and Alan Fisk and Brian Hines to the Zoning Bylaw Study Committee.

The Shellfish Committee appointment of Sue Lauder, a West Dennis resident who holds a shellfish permit and serves on the West Dennis Library board, was approved with one abstention recorded. The board noted vacancies on the Substance Use Disorder Advisory Council (SUDAC) and later appointed Margie (Margaret) Mart, who described long-term residency and work in education and community organizations, to a full-term vacancy on SUDAC expiring 03/31/2029.

The most contested decision centered on the town's representative to the Cape Cod Commission. Three candidates were mentioned; after statements and brief board discussion about communication and representation, the board moved to appoint Michael McGee to a three-year term to April 24, 2029. Michael McGee emphasized regional coordination and infrastructure priorities, saying, "Dennis deserves strong, consistent representation at the Cape Cod Commission." The motion carried by voice vote.

Votes were taken by voice for each appointment; most were recorded as "aye" or "unanimous." Where the record notes a different result, it is identified in the votes-at-a-glance below. Appointees were reminded to see the town clerk to be sworn in.

Votes at a glance

- Kathleen (Kate) Kane — 1867 West Ennis Graded Schoolhouse committee; term to 03/31/2029; motion approved (voice vote). - Barbara Hoose — Arts and Culture Council; term to 03/31/2029; motion approved (voice vote). - Luke Fury — Board of Health; term to 03/31/2028; motion approved (voice vote). - Catherine Travello — Caleb Chase Fund; term to 03/31/2027; motion approved (voice vote). - Rico Muldera — Capital Outlay Committee; term to 03/31/2029; motion approved (voice vote). - Josh Vermeer — Community Preservation Act Committee; term to 03/31/2029; motion approved (voice vote). - Robert (Bob) Sarette — Council on Aging; term to 03/31/2029; motion approved (voice vote). - Barry McLaughlin — Dennisport/West Dennis Advancement Committee; term to 03/31/2029; motion approved (voice vote). - Larry Bridal — Library Board; term to 03/31/2029; motion approved (voice vote). - Mark Levitt — promoted from alternate to full member, Road Safety Task Force; term to 03/31/2029; motion approved (voice vote). - Bob Sarette — appointed alternate, Road Safety Task Force; term to 03/31/2027; motion approved (voice vote). - Sue Lauder — Shellfish Committee; term to 03/31/2028; motion approved (voice vote) with one abstention. - Elizabeth Browning — South Dennis Historic Commission; term to 03/31/2029; motion approved (voice vote). - Margie Mart — Substance Use Disorder Advisory Council; term to 03/31/2029; motion approved (voice vote). - David Bridal and David Friksdale — Tourism Committee appointments; motions approved (voice votes). - Joe Remillard — Waterways Commission alternate; term to 03/31/2027; motion approved (voice vote). - Alan Fisk and Brian Hines — Zoning Bylaw Study Committee; terms to 03/31/2029; motions approved (voice votes). - Michael McGee — appointed to the Cape Cod Commission; term to 04/24/2029; motion approved (voice vote).

What happens next

Appointees were asked to visit the town clerk to be sworn in. The chair closed the meeting and noted the next meeting start time; the session adjourned by voice vote.