Town of Dennis receives MassTrails Grant for $116,000

MassTrails Grant. This is the 3^rd trails grant we have received (South Gages Way and Great Western Road crossings of the Cape Cod Rail Trail being the previous two awards). This grant will pay for the upgrade of the Cape Cod Rail Trail Crossing at Main Street by providing advance warning signs and upgrading the pavement markings, making all three of the crossings similar. The work will also include resurfacing the parking lot, (the old Town Hall portion of the parking lot) and improving the handicap accessible parking and access to the trail along with other amenities.

The MassTrails Grant Program expands and links the state’s networks of off-road, shared-use pathways and recreational trails through matching grants, technical assistance, and resources available to municipalities, non-profits, and other public entities.

We anticipate starting the work in the fall when the bicycle season slows a bit.

Incredible grant writing work by Tom and his team!!

Department of Natural Resources

Crowes Pasture had a total of 4 nests so far this year. Currently there is one remaining nest with eggs. Three nests have already successfully hatched. The east access is currently only open following the escort calendar for the aquaculture grant holders. This is anticipated to continue for the next few weeks.

The recreational ORV access on the east side remains open. We anticipate the remaining nest at Crowes to hatch on July 11th which will close recreational ORV access until those chicks fledge. We will be monitoring the nest closely and may need to close earlier depending upon the hatch date. No vehicle escort plan is anticipated as the nest is too close to the access point.

South Village Landing currently has one active nest.

Chapin Beach has two active nests. The first nest is due to hatch the end of this week. Vehicle use/patrols will be restricted after the hatch date.

West Dennis Beach has 12 pairs of birds. Five nests have successfully hatched. We have 6 remaining active nests. The volleyball court chicks hatched a couple weeks ago and the “chick walk” that was set up in the parking lot was a success in getting them across to the beach. A big thank you to DPW staff, Henry in particular, and Beach staff in assisting to make the “chick walk” successful. There are currently chicks on both the main beach and the resident beach. As a result, beach raking is currently prohibited.

Keep in mind that closures remain in effect until chicks fledge (fly) at approximately 35 days of age. Given the number and location of nests at West Dennis, the west parking area closure is ongoing.

187 Upper County Road (Former Catholic Church Property) Status Report

During the Special Town meeting held on February 29, 2024, the citizens voted affirmatively to purchase the property at 187 Upper County Road (Article 3), and subsequently voted to transfer a sum of money to demolish the building located on this property (Article 4) and survey the property (Article 5). An as-built survey was conducted, locating the building, wetland and all associated features.

A “Plan of Land in Dennis, Massachusetts” was prepared by Paul E. Sweetser, Professional Land Surveyor, dated March 29, 2024. The property has a wetland located at the rear of the property, there have been a number of staff meetings regarding this property to determine next steps.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) has been actively preparing for this project and has had the power and water disconnected and the gas company is scheduling the disconnect, bid documents are being prepared by DPW. The consultant Kleinfelder has been retained for assisting with hazardous waste removal specifications for the bid document and met on May 30th via ZOOM to discuss status of project. The lack of existing building and septic plans have created a challenge in regards to depicting the scope of work. The Engineering Department, who assisted on May 31st to conduct a septic system investigation, finding a septic tank and leach pit as well as marking out the 50’ buffer zone from wetland.

It was determined that permitting through Conservation can be handled Administratively and a letter of intent has been crafted and notations have been made on the existing plan. The DPW is working with the Building Department to obtain a demolition permit in advance of bidding project, as to avoid any unnecessary delay, which will be transferred to the contractor upon successful bidding process.

The property has recently been mowed. The Select Board will be discussing and seeking feedback from the public on next steps for the property at an upcoming meeting.

Reminder Special Town Meeting

Special Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 1^st, at 7:00PM at the Dennis-Yarmouth Intermediate School located at 286 Station Ave. S. Yarmouth, MA. 02664

The Select Board will commence review of Town meeting articles during the month of July and continue through August and once complete the Warrant will be published in September.

August 13, 2024 is the Citizen Petition deadline for the October 1^st Special Town Meeting, due by 4PM to the Town Clerk’s Office.

September 20, 2024 is the last day to register to vote in the Special Town Meeting.

Select Board Meeting Dates

The Dennis Select Board will meet on July 16, 2024 for regularly scheduled business. Upcoming meeting dates of the Select Board can be found on the Town of Dennis website here.

All are welcome to attend and participate in our open and public meetings. The agenda for each meeting is posted 48 business hours prior to the scheduled meeting time and can be accessed through the Select Board’s webpage or the Town calendar webpage.

Attend in-person at the Town Hall, Stone Meeting Room. Or for alternative public access join the meeting online via zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7660036712 or participate by phone by dialing 1-646-558-8656 and entering Conference ID 766 003 6712 #.

The Town of Dennis Select Board members are eager to hear from residents – You can contact all five members of the Select Board by emailing the following addresses:

Christopher Lambton, Chair – clambton@town.dennis.ma.us
Paul McCormick, Vice Chair – pmccormick@town.dennis.ma.us
John Terrio, Clerk – jterrio@town.dennis.ma.us
James Plath, Licensing Chair – jplath@town.dennis.ma.us
Carlyn Carey, Member – ccarey@town.dennis.ma.us