Small business loans, transfer station hours, construction and other Barnstable Town Notes – Barnstable Patriot

The State Treasurer's Office of Economic Empowerment is offering Empowerment Grants to support Massachusetts small businesses amid this spring's coronavirus outbreak.

Grants will be focused on small business owners located in Massachusetts Gateway Cities, including Barnstable. Businesses that are minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and/or immigrant-owned and have been in business for at least one year are encouraged to apply.

Preference will given to small businesses in industries especially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including home cleaning services, personal training/fitness, brick and mortar establishments (excluding chain stores and marketing franchises), and personal care services, such as hair and nail salons.

The application deadline is May 29, and funding decisions will be made by June 12. Complete details are online at http://www.mass.gov.

Transfer Station hours

The Transfer Station and Recycling Center are temporarily closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at least through Monday, May 18.

"On the busier days, despite our best attempts, this area does not provide for appropriate social distancing," Supervisor P.J. Kelleher said in a May 4 statement. "These measures are being done to provide a safe environment for our employees and our residents."

These measures create redundancy in staffing and assist in continuing the ability to provide essential services during a time when social and physical distancing are key elements being used to combat COVID-19.

Recycling is not considered an essential service during a State of Emergency; however, the Transfer Station is an essential operation to town residents, Kelleher said. Current sticker holders may continue to utilize the facility to dispose of trash.

Recycling Sticker holders will be limited to disposal of scrap metals, disposal of yard waste, and access to free compost. The acceptance of chargeable recyclable items has been temporarily suspended. These items include but are not limited to mattresses, TVs, white goods, and toilets.

The transfer station office and gate house are closed to the public and all person-to-person transactions suspended. Staff is available to answer phone calls at 508-420-2258.

The Construction & Demolition (C&D) Area will be accepting material with restrictions. All vehicles disposing of C&D material will be required to weigh the material on the scale. The gate attendant will direct the vehicle via intercom on how to proceed.

Payments for C&D material will be accepted by check only. Cash and electronic payments will not be accepted. Check payments may be placed inside a designated box/container at the intercom system. Receipts and weigh slips will not be issued during this time.

The above measures follow the recommended guidance of social and physical distancing and strive to limit the amount of disruption these changes may cause.

Call for public comment

The Town of Barnstable Planning and Development Department is accepting comments on substantial amendments to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2019 Action Plan and Citizen Participation Plan. A summary of the amendments is posted on the town website: http://www.townofbarnstable.us/departments/cdbg/

The purpose of the amendments is to apply for Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding and flexibilities provided to make it easier to use CDBG-CV funds and 2019 and 2020 program year funds for coronavirus response. The town anticipates receiving $168,324 in CDBG Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds.

Complying with the flexibilities provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Securities (CARES) Act the Town will accept comments for a period of not less than five days from this notice.

Please submit comments by email to kathleen.girouard@town.barnstable.ma.us with CDBG Comments in the subject line please. Comments received by May 12 will be considered and included in submission to HUD.

Kent leaves Lions

Chris Kent coached the St. John Paul II boys hockey team to its two most successful seasons in program history. The Lions won their first-ever playoff game during the 2018-19 school year, and for the 2019-20 season set a number of school records, including most wins (17), best regular-season record (17-2-3), most goals scored (127), fewest goals allowed (33), most shutouts in a season (6), best goals against average by a goalie (Gunnar Stevens, 1.38), first season in which one goalie played the entire season (Stevens), and first appearance in a sectional quarterfinal.

Someone new will have to continue Kents legacy, as the school recently announced a search is underway for a new head coach.

Its probably one of the hardest decisions Ive faced in my life, Kent said. The biggest things Im going to miss are the families, the coaches and the kids.

Kent said hes stepping away to focus on his childrens varsity careers. His son Anthony and daughter Cali will both attend Sandwich High School next year, and Kent said coaching at another school would impede his attendance at their games.

I have an older daughter who I watched play field hockey all through high school, and I never missed a game, Kent said. Times flying, and Im getting old. I just want to sit back as a parent and enjoy watching my two kids play.

A coach at the youth and high school level for 25 years, Kent came to JPII as an assistant when Chuck Jancaterino took over the program in 2015. Jancaterino left after the 2017-18 season, at which point Kent took over.

Human rights nominations

The Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission (HRAC) is accepting applications through May 5, 2020 for the Annual Malcolm McDowell Award, named in honor of the noted human rights activist and former member of the Barnstable County Human Rights Commission.

Two graduating members, who have participated in their schools Human Rights Club and the HRAC Human Rights Academy, who demonstrate initiative, leadership, and dedication to improving the human rights atmosphere of Barnstable County and the wider world, will receive a $250 gift certificate.

Alan Milsted, Chair of the HRAC Board said, I am delighted that, although we have had to cancel the Spring session of the Human Rights Academy, we are still able to offer the McDowell Award to students graduating as seniors from high schools or from the Riverview Schools GROW program.

The recipients will be announced on May 10. Application and further details may be found at https://bit.ly/3cQm61I

Construction in Hyannis

Construction is scheduled to begin the week of May 11 at the intersection of Center Spring Streets in Hyannis and is anticipated to take one week. Normal work hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Work will involve excavating trenches in the roads, installing sanitary sewer pipes and manholes, backfilling, compacting, and paving. During active construction there will be lane closures or temporary detours with signs and police details to direct traffic past or around the work zones.

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Small business loans, transfer station hours, construction and other Barnstable Town Notes - Barnstable Patriot