Seeking snow plow vendors for the upcoming winter season.

The Town of Dennis Dept. of Public Works is actively seeking plow vendors for the upcoming winter season. The Town has generously increased rates this year and pays a guaranteed $1,900 per vehicle! Vendor applications may be obtained by clicking this link. Responses received by 15 December 2024 will receive an additional $5 per hour added to their pay rates. The winter season is fast approaching and we want you on the Dennis snow fighting team!

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY BUILDING CLOSURES

All Town office buildings and facilities, including the Dennis Public Library and Center for Active, will be closed on Thursday, November 28, 2024 and Friday, November 29, 2024 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Dennis Transfer Station will be closed on Monday, November 25, and Tuesday, November 26 per their normal work schedule. The Transfer Station will be open Wednesday, November 27 from 8AM to 4PM. The Transfer Station will be closed Thursday, November 28, 2024 and Friday, November 29, 2024. The Transfer Station will reopen on Saturday, November 30 from 8AM to 4PM.

The Dennis Highlands Golf Course is open for walking only from 8AM to 12PM on Thursday, November 28, 2024. On Friday, November 29, 2024 the Dennis Highlands will resume their regular schedule from 8AM to 4PM.

On Saturday, November 30, 2024, the Dennis Public Library will resume their regular schedule from 10AM to 2PM. On Monday, December 2, 2024 the Center for Active Living and Department of Public Works Office will resume their regular schedule, and the Dennis Town Offices will resume being open from 8:30AM to 4:30 PM.

TOWN OF DENNIS CHILDCARE SUBSIDY PROGRAM

Funding was approved at the Dennis May 2, 2023 Annual Town Meeting to pay the costs of funding and administering a childcare subsidy program for birth through 5‐year‐old children of Dennis residents to attend a state‐licensed childcare program.

The Town of Dennis Childcare Subsidy Program was funded to provide financial assistance for 50 local families with children who are under five years old as of August 31, 2024, for the program period September 1, 2024 -August 31, 2025.

A subsidy in the form of direct payment of $200 per month to State licensed childcare providers for up to 50 full time, year-round residents of Dennis (maximum of $2,400 per household) will be provided for one eligible child and meets a threshold of 81% to 150% Average Median Income parameter. Child must be enrolled a minimum of two days per week for eligibility.

Included below are a Childcare Subsidy Program Overview, an Application Form, and a Required Documents List. The Application Form (PDF)includes questions to obtain information for verification of eligibility.

Documents can be found here.

Applications and required documents must be completed fully and returned to:

Dennis Town Hall

Attention: Childcare Voucher Program

685 Route 134

South Dennis, MA 02660

Or may be scanned and emailed to DennisCSP@town.dennis.ma.us with the subject line “CSP.”

UPDATES FROM THE DENNIS CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING

THE BIG WRAP this year will be held on Thursday, December 12th, at 1:30 pm, at the Congregational Church of South Dennis, 218 Main Street, South Dennis. This is the day Friends of Dennis Senior Citizens get together and wrap over 2000 gifts for Dennis seniors who are alone and in need of Holiday cheer. If you would like to volunteer, please call our office at 508-385-5376 or email us at DennisFOD@hotmail.com.

AARP Tax-Aide is a free tax preparation service focused on helping taxpayers with low-to-moderate income. Sponsored by AARP and funded by the IRS, the program is staffed entirely by volunteers who enjoy working together, learning new things, and serving their community. We need new volunteers at our locations across the Cape and Islands. A background in taxes is NOT required. In addition to tax counselors who prepare tax returns, AARP Tax-Aide needs volunteers to contact, greet, and check-in clients; assist with administrative tasks; or help manage technology. All volunteers get training and support to learn the necessary skills and procedures. AARP membership is not required. Training starts in the fall and an AARP Tax Aide Computer is supplied. Want more information? Please email us at TAVolunteerd18@gmail.com.

MASSACHUSETTS DROUGHT ALERT

From the Massachusetts Office of Local & Regional Health:

Due to three months of below normal rainfall, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared a Level 3 - Critical Drought in the Central and Northeast Regions, and a Level 2 – Significant Drought in the Western, Connecticut River Valley, and Southeast Regions of the Commonwealth. The Cape Cod and Islands Regions remains in Level 0 – Normal condition.

To enhance awareness on the current drought conditions, EEA and MEMA are asking local, state and regional partners and stakeholder groups to assist in disseminating this critical information to residents, businesses, and farms in their respective communities.

Their office prepared a one-paged “Drought Alert” that provides information on the current drought conditions and how communities across the Commonwealth can do their part on water conservation and drought preparedness.

For more information on the current drought conditions, technical guidance regarding drought management actions and for drought-related tools and outreach materials, please visit www.mass.gov/ma-drought-management; for water conservation information, go to www.mass.gov/conservemawater .

Select Board Meeting Dates

The Dennis Select Board will meet on December 3, 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/8780036813 or participate by phone by dialing 1-646-558-8656 and entering Conference ID878 003 6813 #.

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

PERSONNEL UPDATES

The Town of Dennis is excited to welcome three new employees to our Finance and Building Departments.

Anna De Oliveira has been promoted from the Accounting Office Assistant to the Assistant Town Accountant. Anna brings with her a Master’s Degree in Finance and Economics and her understanding of municipal finance concepts. In her time with us she has learned many functions in the Treasurer/Collector’s office and the Accounting office as well as supervising the seasonal sticker office and managing the Dennis Childcare Subsidy Program.

With the vacancy from Anna’s promotion, we are excited to welcome Deborah Zinck as the Accounting Office Assistant. Deborah has financial experience in both for-profit and non-profit environments, skilled with bookkeeping, budget management and grant preparation. We are thrilled to welcome both Anna and Deborah to the Finance Team.

Annie Scola Wisnesky has joined our Building Department as their new Historic Clerk. Annie comes to us with a strong background in project management and customer service from her time working at the state offices. She is excited to be apart of the Building Department and the chance to work with the Dennis Historic District.