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Oak Bluffs Select Board votes to join Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund
Summary
At a July 7 special meeting the Oak Bluffs Select Board voted unanimously to join the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund (CCIWPF), endorsing a state-administered 2.75% lodging fee that applies to short-term rentals, hotels and inns. The Finance Committee supported the decision; town staff will coordinate outreach and representation in the trust.
The Oak Bluffs Select Board voted unanimously July 7 to join the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund, endorsing a state-administered 2.75% fee on short-term rentals, hotels and inns to fund regional water-protection projects.
Commissioner Cassandra Bowler outlined which neighborhoods and sectors would benefit from phased wastewater work — including the Lagoon Pond neighborhood, town environment and commercial areas — and framed how costs and beneficiaries align across project phases. Select Person Emma Green-Beach moved to join the CCIWPF; Select Person Mark Leonard seconded the motion and the board approved it 5–0.
Commissioner Tom Hallahan raised a procedural point, saying he believes a decision to leave the trust would require a town meeting vote with a two-thirds majority. Board members and staff also discussed the town's broader capital needs, including an upcoming high school project, as background to the decision on future debt co-funding for wastewater Phase 2 and beyond.
The board clarified that the 2.75% fee is assessed on short-term rentals, hotels and inns and does not apply to longer-term rentals; the fee is collected by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts rather than the town. Ms. Hester Agudosi, a homeowner, asked for more detail on the fees and was directed to obtain the meeting presentation from the Select Board office. Property owner John Johnson asked whether the 2.75% would be passed on to guests; the meeting record notes that the mechanism is administered through the state tax collection process.
Finance Committee Chair Malecki told the boards the Finance Committee had voted to approve joining the CCIWPF and noted that some communications elements are in place. Acting Town Administrator Brough is set to meet with Erin Perry early next week to discuss next steps and who will represent Oak Bluffs on the trust; the Select Board office will post information on the town website.
Votes at a glance: - Approve minutes (June 23, 2026): motion by Select Person Sean DeBettencourt; seconded by Select Person Emma Green-Beach. Vote: 5–0 in favor. - Join Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund (CCIWPF): motion by Select Person Emma Green-Beach; seconded by Select Person Mark Leonard. Vote: 5–0 in favor. - Wastewater Commission adjournment: motion by Chair Gail Barmakian; seconded by Commissioner Cassandra Bowler. Vote: 3–0 in favor. - Select Board adjournment: motion by Select Person Emma Green-Beach; seconded by Select Person Mark Leonard. Vote: 5–0 in favor.
The meeting record also notes an administrative item: Select Person Bill Cleary signed a $672,154.59 warrant dated 07.08.2026 (27-01 Pay, split). The boards adjourned at 5:52 p.m.; regular Select Board meetings are scheduled July 14, July 28, August 11 and August 25, 2026.
