2026-10-21 - Assembly of Delegates

01:59Mhm.

02:05in conference room and um the meeting will begin.

02:13Clerk Fletcher, would you please be kind enough to

02:21It is now 4:01. So, this is the Cape Cod

02:26uh regular meeting of October 21st, 2006.

02:33this meeting of the Barnstable County Assembly

02:37and via remote means in accordance with applicable

02:41through live real-time broadcast at

02:46A public participation guide and meeting documents

02:53The County of Barnstable does not discriminate in

02:57on the basis of race, color, religion, national

03:01gender identity, or other category protected by

03:05regulations. Reasonable accommodations for people

03:09For more information or to file a complaint,

03:13County ADA non-discrimination coordinator

03:21or visit www.capecod.gov. Members of the

03:27Microsoft Teams. That information is available

03:34Next on the business calendar is opening

03:39to remember our troops who have died in service

03:56Thank you. Please stand for

04:15Thank you.

04:20Uh Clerk Latcher, can you please call the

04:31All right. Um Delegate Frederickson?

04:39The Uh you're muted, Delegate Frederickson. I can

04:48Delegate Frederickson, are you

04:53Can't hear us. Is uh Speaker is Is Uh no

05:00Yes, I can hear you. Delegate

05:06No. That is I hear you, Owen. I can hear

05:13I'll take thumbs up indication as present. Uh

05:20Here. Delegate Gallager is absent. Delegate

05:27Delegate Harder? Here. Delegate Kilian? Uh

05:39Is absent. Delegate Mally?

05:44Here. Delegate Newman? Here.

05:50Delegate Ty. Here. Speaker

05:55that's 11 members representing 67.86%of the

06:07I think we've got someone who called in but

06:13Gaskins. Is that you on a phone call, Delegate

06:21We see him on. We do have a quorum. You

06:24issue. I do see Delegate Gaskins on here.

06:29Next on the calendar is the

06:33The clerks have distributed Oh, yes. Next on the

06:42journals. The clerks have distributed drafts

06:48of October 7th, 2026 to the members prior

06:56Yes, Deputy Speaker Frizell. Thank you, Madam

07:00wanted actually give the clerk and assistant clerk

07:07for very difficult meeting. So, it was good

07:13thank you. Okay, thank you. Any Any other

07:20corrections from delegates or the clerk, [clears

07:25journal and the minutes are approved as submitted.

07:33If there is no objection, the

07:36in the committee of the whole to consider

07:45Since there is no objection, the assembly

07:50Next on the calendar is communications

07:56We now have public comment. Is there anyone

08:00on anything either on this calendar or in general?

08:07Yes, to raise there. Somebody on one

08:12Looks like Delegate Gaston. That looks like

08:16else online as well. Um Delegate Gaston's

08:22but unless he raises his hand, I don't know

08:30Seeing no one who wants to speak, um next on

08:37regional commissioners, administrator, and the

08:44Hereak is here on behalf of the executive branch

08:50Regional Commissioners meeting. Good afternoon,

08:57Um our Board of Regional Commissioners

09:02a virtual meeting. They met on October the 14th.

09:09they did discuss but took no action on the

09:17They agreed to take no action while County

09:21and operational review. Um Michael, the our County

09:28Council could complete a thorough legal review

09:34on administration and personnel. And again, no

09:41action rather than to approve or reject

09:49uh our administrator and our colleague director

09:57um briefed the commissioners on proposed

10:03ADU regulations that could restrict local

10:09Um the uh Brian uh explained that the existing

10:18Housing and Livable Communities, the EOH the

10:25affordable housing accessory dwelling

10:32would classify municipal requirements for utility

10:38health, emergency access, and onsite wastewater

10:46more restrictive than state requirements. And so,

10:53our our board and others uh other municipalities

11:01Brian said that the proposal could affect

11:06nitrogen-sensitive watersheds. And um

11:12between the DEP's environmental requirements and

11:19And they identified the need for coordination

11:27there was a comment period that ended on October

11:34Brian prepared and submitted comments on behalf of

11:39Um, but prior to that deadline, and their

11:44implications of the new language. The county asked

11:51amendments and conduct meaningful

11:56and state agencies and reaffirm the

12:02and provide consistency and

12:13Um, there were some uh

12:16There's some commentary on upcoming events

12:25Okay. No problem. Uh, okay. Um, there's a going

12:34uh next Monday the 26th. It's going to take place

12:41And um, there's a web web connection that you can

12:48via the web. We can [clears throat] we can

12:55are unavailable to you as yet. Um, that should be

13:02further said that the uh at the Commissioner's

13:10discuss uh first first quarter financial results

13:17and review uh the Michael's draft budget

13:24the next uh the the board's meet not the next one

13:30will will consist of largely fair amount of

13:37Um Commissioner Forest uh made an announcement.

13:42Congressman Keating that's planned for October

13:48is to announce funding for the Bay View Bogs

13:54Forest explained that the county and regional

13:59restor- restoration initiative which has supported

14:06and has raised more than hundred million dollars

14:13the years. Uh Michael also mentioned that there's

14:19on December 4th and that uh court Ken uh director

14:27Just lastly uh the work on the superior courthouse

14:32um is progressing. It's on schedule and on

14:37able to move back in prior to next June. Uh uh

14:46Um and then an additional announcement uh Marty

14:53from uh his uh leadership uh position at the fire

15:00it's for for personal reasons, as sort of uh

15:06sort of involved in in uh in taking so much

15:12is going to stay with the fire training academy on

15:18consult [clears throat] with with us. Um we uh on

15:24of emergency management, is going to oversee

15:30And uh lastly, uh the consent agenda and

15:37without incident. So. Thank you.

15:43Thank you for that report. I see that we

15:48Uh I see that Dan Gessen's hand is up,

15:53uh delegate O'Malley next. Uh delegate Gessen,

16:01Yes. Hello? Yes. Perfect. Uh and just

16:06uh I'm at drill right now uh with the guard, so

16:11that's why. Um so question for uh the

16:19at my meeting, uh the commissioners took no

16:25immigration ordinance 26-11. Um my understanding,

16:33gains the effect of being approved or signed or

16:39Um I know commissioners are waiting for legal

16:44of the ordinance, but they're not contesting the

16:49the ordinance is essentially in effect,

16:58Well, from from the meeting

17:01Yes, uh uh I've not heard them contesting

17:11Okay, thank you.

17:19Go ahead, Delegate O'Malley. Thank

17:23going to address the same issue. Home Rule Charter

17:30the Commissioners has not signed or returned a

17:36be in effect. So, I I have to presume that

17:43and the legal the legal matter seems to me would

17:49that appropriately? And I think that's a an

17:58Oh, Delegate Harder, go ahead. Thank you, Madam

18:03handy if we could get copies of Brian's slides,

18:11was wonderful. Um and I don't know, is it on are

18:18certainly follow that up. I don't know if the if

18:24gained gotten access to those slides, Owen,

18:32slides from from his presentation there's meeting

18:39there were slides. Are you sure there were? seeing

18:45what the rules were. Um because it's really

18:52for everyone um in every town because, you

19:00but this is really an attempt to take

19:05So, we're really going to have to be on

19:09Okay, thank you. I'll look into that. May I please

19:16Speaker. So, I'm a little unclear um and

19:24Eric and also delegate harder. What exactly is

19:32control potentially over housing if I have that

19:38is that we've commented on and is going to be

19:44Well, it's my understanding that the EOHLC has

19:54setting up ADUs. And that the uh

19:59As I As I said, the the proposed language would

20:07ordinances or local controls are more restrictive

20:17Yeah, yeah, yeah. I I understand. Okay, are there

20:25Uh thank you coming on. This is third select

20:34road show that the county commissioner is doing

20:38the election and they virtually postponed it. Do

20:43I don't have one off the top of my head. I'm

20:47Is it Is it Will it be on your website? I I Yes,

20:53the election and in early voting, I think. Sure,

20:58they're eager to visit Dennis. I'm sure. Well,

21:07Uh yes, uh Delegate Green. Thank you, Madam

21:15the question if anybody knows an

21:23the National Seashore um just the issue

21:34according to my information,

21:39that it was very contentious. So, now we have

21:47into effect that there actually is a National

21:57within the bounds of Nash of Cape Cod National

22:04within that within the bounds of Cape Cod National

22:17Elizabeth Harder, go ahead, Delegate Harder.

22:22um they have not done anything

22:28this as far as I can tell um [clears

22:35right now. [laughter] But um hopefully they

22:41everybody's sending letters, so hopefully

22:48Uh well, okay. So, that I mean perhaps uh the

22:55Um it is that possible that um through

23:03Hurry could bring that back to the administration

23:11the Seashore towns of um make sure that they

23:21I will be delighted to transmit

23:28Uh thank you. Uh are there any other delegates

23:34No? Okay. Well, thank you very much for the

23:42the um next on the um is the

24:06Um a point of order. I see that the

24:12is here to deliver an update on our regional

24:18which we're all delighted to hear. Uh and we're

24:22and and enlighten us more about what uh that

24:29it's a stand-alone department. Are there any

24:35[laughter] Uh good evening, everyone. Um as said,

24:41management uh now department of Barnstable County,

24:46the commissioners in July. Um so, I'm here to

24:51to the commissioners uh even before July on the

24:58which as you know occurred in February and March.

25:03dealing with the aftermath of to this point. So,

25:08of just a brief overview of that, but also some of

25:13been formed and some of the work we're hoping to

25:20to start by kind of you know as we are kind of a

25:25when it was formed, but really what I see as its

25:31it's really to support and coordinate disaster

25:37on Cape Cod. So, the way that I interpret that is

25:43programs, everything that we have across every

25:50when we are facing disasters from storms,

25:56and help prepare for those. I really view

26:00work with our town emergency management

26:05In every town it is your police or fire chief. So,

26:09director is for your town, reach out to me. I'll

26:14plans, training, exercises for them and

26:20The other big thing that I think most

26:24during storms. So, we activate the multi-agency

26:30and we provide resource support basically

26:35We make sure that we get them what they need to

26:39members. We support the regional shelter program,

26:45The other aspect of this, kind of the other

26:49which you all may know of, is the regional

26:54Uh many of you have probably joined those calls

26:58a coalition and planning forum since 2002. It

27:02back when after 9/11. Um it consists of all of the

27:10regional partners, uh partner agencies like the

27:14agencies. Um it also serves as the kind of federal

27:22SARA Title III, which is a federal regulation that

27:26on Cape Cod, we decided to make that a regional

27:31own individual LEPCs, um but really the basis

27:37Um it did become all hazards um over time and has

27:42in collaboration with the county. Um it is led

27:47so one from each. Um and then all the membership

27:53and that's, you know, compared to our department,

27:58um drawing on county departments, part of the

28:02with the Regional Emergency Planning Committee. I

28:06so I am the I like to say I'm the Owen of the uh

28:11all of their meetings during storm coordination

28:16Um I always say if you see me on a small screen

28:22So, uh just so you know, the after-action report

28:27pages. Um it was produced by myself, uh Vera

28:33Randy Colstad, um after meeting with a lot of uh

28:38blizzard, our town emergency management directors,

28:43specifically. Um we released it in July. It is

28:48report and the slide deck that I believe uh I

28:52the commissioners, which is more of an overview.

28:55our emergency management department. Uh, there's

29:00encourage you to read it. It's really good bedtime

29:04Um, but it's really good information. So, um,

29:08to take you back in time a bit, um, Blizzard

29:12storm we've had in a while. Um, certainly, as many

29:19Um, during that period we had a several snow

29:23um, this one may have been the most significant

29:29you know, most of the Cape was without power, as

29:33it was really heavy uh the heavy wet snow, um,

29:38ways, and it made it very, very difficult, um, to

29:43be able to get to the down power lines. So, that

29:46our regional shelter system. Um, so, all in all

29:51um, at least larger shelters. There was also a

29:55we really were in continuous operation for over 96

30:02in actually to relieve me at one point because

30:06um, to my own detriment. So, um, our AmeriCorps

30:09and once again, um, as they always do, AmeriCorps

30:13in keeping the Cape safe during the storm. So, I

30:17success stories. Um, certainly, uh, whenever

30:23could have been a lot worse. Um, this storm did

30:29major tide cycle. Had it done that, we would

30:33at least not to a great extent. Um, that certainly

30:40Uh, you know, if you remember the few weeks

30:46it had been extremely cold for the weeks prior.

30:49storm. So, it was still cold. We still needed to

30:53Um, it had been in the single digits uh

30:57um you know, I like to point out that while this

31:00could receive um both in the winter and certainly

31:06So, what this review found, um we had a

31:10different focus areas. I will point out that

31:14very much on county operations, areas that

31:19I always encourage the towns and our

31:23after-action review of their internal

31:28This didn't go into town-level operations. Um, it

31:33as the county um and our program. Um, the I think

31:39um the response succeeded because of the people.

31:44worked really well, it was because um

31:47the towns have great people who really stepped

31:52and I I think in a lot of ways compensate for

31:56a lot in emergency management across the country.

32:01trying to to work through these periods knowing

32:06things that it can be hard to you know, I like to

32:11all of the staff, um and I still wouldn't

32:16it's it's important to kind of recognize that and

32:20Um, but what we use this report for is to make

32:25are and start to prioritize how we can fill

32:31Some of the key lessons uh that really born out

32:35usually you get these findings that come out of

32:39organized. It is around um what went well, um so

32:46our areas of improvement, um and then I also like

32:50things that really they need to change right away,

32:54Um as far as worth keeping, um there were a lot

32:58overall from an outside perspective, the response

33:02were in the trenches, you know, we can see the

33:06I think from a from the community perspective, um

33:10of the work that was done. Um communications was

33:15information officer, did heroic work putting

33:20making sure that we're uh singing from the same

33:26a pretty clean handoff of of leadership. I think

33:30uh for Vera to come in. Um I think that

33:34that really stepped up um in support, Family Table

33:39Um they did tremendous work, as well as all of

33:43and so, you know, that needs to be pointed out. Um

33:48worked really well, um and we'd like to sustain

33:53um when they activated, they brought in a lot of

33:56staff, um which was really helpful. Um and I know

34:00would have benefited from. Um and Provincetown

34:05Truro, um and they handled everything basically

34:09and you know, we sent them up resources, but they

34:14showed a really good model of what a local level

34:18augment what we're doing at the regional level.

34:22people. Where we need to do better and I where

34:28all, um those of you who have been uh around for a

34:34Um you'd probably be surprised to find that

34:39documentation of these partnerships. Like I said,

34:45I think many years ago when the REPC was formed,

34:50more of a regional action, it happened because you

34:55who came together and shook hands and said, yes,

34:59we created regional shelter plans, but those

35:04right? Um and so there really were no agreements,

35:11in these shelters and supporting each other and

35:15that's something in the aftermath we wanted

35:19pretty sure the last time the regional shelter

35:23So, which is not a good sign. So, um and again,

35:28in the day, um we we had a lot of people who came

35:33seen those people retire, we've seen those people

35:38kind of handed, you know, it gets handed down

35:42you know, I if you go across the Cape and

35:46if you go across this Cape to the different towns,

35:50how things work. Their understanding of what the

35:55work even, um can be very different from town to

36:00really need to address. Um something where um some

36:04do not. They do not have the ability to do that.

36:08service, but they are a great resource that come

36:13local management of the shelters. So, things like

36:18critically uh deficient in the shelters. Um and

36:22mean doctors as doctors or even nurses. I I think

36:27you know, a very elderly community. There's

36:30needs. Um, folks might might have dementia, folks

36:35cot, or need help using the bathroom. Um, that's

36:41assistance. You know, that home health aids. You

36:44might come during the day, or family who come to

36:48that come with them to the shelter. Um, and our

36:53to do that. Um, I've also think that since

36:58here during those four years, but I I believe that

37:03our um, kind of nurses who might have retired, or

37:09we just didn't have a lot in that area. And even

37:14lot came, because they just it's it's seems like

37:18and there just hasn't been a a growth um, in

37:22looking at. Um, food service in the shelters, like

37:27Collaborative, and a few others Dennis Yarmouth

37:31feeding 2,000 kids a day. Um, and they they used

37:37they bring the food, um, but we need to make sure

37:41to heat up that food, making sure that our ovens

37:46be you'd be surprised how, you know, different

37:50and you don't always you get kind of surprised at

37:54Um, and you know, we were able to make

37:58but making sure that ensuring that, you know,

38:01there to make it easier, so that it's not

38:05the entire time. Um, and I also think just

38:09here within the county, uh, the emergency

38:13health department for a while, um, it really was

38:17like I said, those handshake agreements,

38:21emergency personnel would come here. They'd all

38:25But, I think what we've seen as town EOCs have

38:30more and more it was county staff coming in and

38:35but it wasn't something that was done across the

38:38department. Um, so, uh, I think pulling out into

38:44building out an incident support team is

38:47um, to kind of take our emergency operation

38:54So, I'm just going to talk about now some

38:58um, kind of that after-action report. Happy to

39:03uh, certainly you have it to review. Um, I want

39:06focusing on since to try to address some of

39:10sustain some of the strengths. So, I think

39:14of understanding and agreements with the towns

39:19Um, if everyone's responsible for something,

39:22um, it's important to remember that as a home

39:27management exists with the towns. Um, so, every

39:32Um, they're in charge of opening a shelter, of

39:38Um, you know, we don't have the authority to

39:42with them and support them and coordinate with

39:47Um, and so, making sure that we have these, uh,

39:51sent all of, uh, draft MOUs out to every single

39:57management does and what we need the towns,

40:02Um, it also very clearly lays out what AmeriCorps

40:07make sure that folks have an understanding

40:11are the things they shouldn't be doing. Um, you

40:15was one for 2 years. I can tell you, um, when

40:20But, you know, we want to make sure that they're

40:24fill the medical gap. That's not something they're

40:28you're in those emergency situations not to do

40:34with the towns who does what, who owns what. And

40:41that there's continuity. So, that if a chief

40:48it doesn't come down to us and our personal

40:51towns and the counties. And I'm also using this

40:58engage with with each other in sheltering. So,

41:02Cape Cod Tech in Harwich, you know, it's be it's

41:07to come together with inter-municipal agreements

41:11storm. So, and I know that's that's work that's

41:15supporting as well. So, those have been coming

41:21MOUs with different partner agencies like

41:25and responsibilities. I think that's a big thing.

41:28We've been working on upgrading our

41:33the multi-agency coordination center, the MAC,

41:39between the towns and kind of going up to the

41:44role is to support towns, meet unmet needs, host

41:50We have a few different staffing models that

41:55support from other county departments and programs

42:01that might be valuable. I've been working with

42:06that their stakeholders that they work with on

42:11this is something that we are trying to make sure

42:15for how we open a regional EOC and how we can

42:20logistics and resource needs. And I can certainly

42:26that, one of the things we've been forming are

42:29come about during the storm uh, absent post

42:34some of these become actual subcommittees of the

42:38longer process for that. Um, since they have to

42:42um, I'd like I we got some of these stood up right

42:47our county departments um, an emergency food group

42:52folks who are doing the hunger summit. They've

42:55all of our um, with the family table, with all of

43:01that world. Um, so they can help coordinate mass

43:06developed a regional comms group that is working

43:10that they have a representative from each town

43:14can kind of serve as the public information

43:18the same information and that they're putting out

43:24I have been uh, meeting with the town emergency

43:28Um, and there's a few other groups that we're

43:32one. Um, we've been forming a public works working

43:37directly from that world. Um, media coordination

43:42officials coordination. So, I would uh, what

43:46storm you'll probably hear from Michael Dunn um,

43:50just with um, elected officials during storms so

43:55not necessarily have to um, kind of parse it out

44:02Uh, so we you might have seen in the last uh,

44:06um, we were trying out some new styles

44:12in the mornings we had been doing what's called

44:15all of the emergency managers to get their unmet

44:21did those different those different work groups

44:24connect on any needs within their focus area.

44:29for the REPC those conference calls that

44:34based on feedback from the previous storm of

44:37that we could have more specific conversations

44:42not have to be on two hour long calls a day

44:47And that was a direct ask from our emergency

44:50they can't always be on those calls. And then

44:55that I know you all find very useful to be

45:03Few other projects that have gone on since then.

45:08through the work of Americorps. So we went through

45:13the cots, everything that was used and had them

45:19You can see some of the photos there of the

45:23sure that those are in working condition for next

45:28that exists at all of these. We also have

45:32have here at the county that we can deploy

45:36shelter that opens across the Cape whether it's at

45:40a local shelter outside the regional system

45:45We've also we also do host a lot of other

45:50an AM radio station that we can deploy for

45:55all of those have been serviced since the storm

45:59that they are maintained and ready to go Um, so

46:04and they're also all tracked and identified and

46:08uh replacement plan. So, we understand

46:12needs to be replaced so we can kind of plan

46:15that all of our shelter equipment and emergency

46:21The other thing we do is local exercises and

46:25and support communities in the preparedness world.

46:29we did a tabletop before that with the police and

46:34where we went through um, how the town would

46:41a vehicle incident um, during uh that event. Um,

46:47to talk through some of the gaps that we might

46:51our equipment and supported them during that event

46:56we're planning a few more exercises as well um,

47:02over the next few days. It's lagging now and

47:07whoop, there we go. Um, we're going to

47:10doing a tsunami tabletop at the request of the

47:14to talk about tsunami planning. Um, I know it's

47:18think it's possible here but it's just an example

47:23AmeriCorps will be doing a regional shelter

47:27and you can see a few other uh exercises

47:31management is a big one for post storm uh

47:38Uh, and then just finally two other kind

47:42so countywide uh risk and capability assessment.

47:48be part of a pilot program to work in their risk

47:53with them in getting kind of all of our data and

47:58county wide risk and capability assessment. Um,

48:03um, you know, where our priorities should rest,

48:07how have they evolved? I think we've seen that

48:11is growing. Um, so being able to identify, um,

48:16and help us guide. Um, we uh, did have one open

48:22took this position, my previous position, um,

48:26this individual is going to go work with

48:30capability. So, they'll be assigned to the

48:34whether it's a local shelter plan or something

48:39those as well as support them with local uh,

48:45Uh, the last two things I'll bring up is the uh,

48:50a company that uh, runs basically a free uh, no

48:56on to, you can see the uh, there's a there's a a

49:01single hazard, um, that you could face. You can

49:05flooding, wildfire, um, it gives you preparedness

49:12an emergency. So, if you saw flood waters rising,

49:16then how to recover. And we're actually going to

49:19specifically for the Cape on there. So, if you're

49:24your location services enabled, it'll know you're

49:29specific information in regard to, um, where

49:35your emergency manager is, those sorts of things.

49:41uh, materials that we're going to be able to give

49:45outreach to schools, councils on aging, events

49:50um, and help with some volunteer management,

49:55So, that's something that's a project that will

49:59after their training is done in November. And

50:04like. This is actually the website version.

50:07basically it's a dashboard with every single,

50:12and you can see on the right there kind of

50:16some more immediate action. It's totally

50:20and it's going to be really useful. So,

50:23we'll be able to point residents to a resource

50:28hazards or concerns they might have. On the back

50:33kind of see where the engagement's coming

50:38how many people are using the app, where they're

50:42What are the big concerns people seem to have

50:46looking up wildfire a lot then we know that that's

50:50they're looking into. So, that's another useful

50:54you with this. This is kind of the mantra for for

50:59certainly do things. It's continuous improvement.

51:05part of kind of how I view anything that we do.

51:10anything, it should follow with an after action

51:16that we then train on, that we then exercise,

51:21in the circle, and we make sure that everything's

51:24of this is continuous improvement and making

51:29I have talked enough and I certainly can go for

51:34happy to take any questions or talk more about our

51:40Thank you very much, Director Platt. This has been

51:45come to mind, um, but I will go to my colleagues

51:55Thank you, Madam Speaker. Um, [clears throat] do

52:01Because I know everybody Everybody I know

52:07but the going through the Red Cross the

52:14That's actually a great question. Um, so, uh, no,

52:22own They're just one of many volunteer agencies.

52:27the Citizens Corps Council. Um, it was formed

52:32were called volunteer or it was supposed to run

52:35And essentially it was a place for spontaneous

52:39of put raised their hand during a storm to go and,

52:46response, um, get all the checks that they need.

52:51an organization that no longer, um, is seems to be

52:56and I don't want to put her on the spot, but I've

53:00um, they're very interested in they're pursuing

53:05similar. Um, basically helping us during storms

53:09could do is put forward a volunteer reception

53:13know, in different places. So, when when we have

53:18wanted to volunteer there just wasn't an avenue.

53:22that, if you just send them into the shelter and

53:26well, who's liable? Like, who's, you know, who

53:30Were they Cory checked? Um, so, this would be a a.

53:35um, we'll be able to basically stand

53:38to volunteer to support this event, go to this

53:43assign you to an agency, um, assign you to a

53:47this is your shift. Um, that's the ideal. Um, and

53:52Corps as well if they have any sort of licensing

53:56see that grow. That's definitely a program,

53:59trying to go through one of the existing larger

54:07Uh, yes, uh, Delegate Green. Uh, thank you,

54:14very comprehensive in, um, your approach, I think,

54:26really s- super. I have two lines of questioning.

54:35I'm the Wellfleet delegate. Um, I was, um, curious

54:42because, um, our entire town was shut off.

54:47even if they were working on an

54:52um, the people in that area didn't get their power

55:00I was really very shocked about and, um, and it

55:09supplier came to our standing committee and, uh,

55:15back. I mean, they really did turn off Wellfleet.

55:21I I mean, I know it could have been colder, but it

55:28it it, uh, was 40° before the power was turned

55:35people in my town that are elderly or, um, have

55:42didn't go to a shelter. But, um, it would be, I

55:51more seamlessly, um, uh, work on this area so

55:59next and, uh, when there is a next, uh, situation.

56:06trying to address those kinds of issues? Yeah,

56:13do have a relationship with Eversource where they

56:18who serves in our EOC. Um they do meet with us

56:23relations team and their emergency management

56:28authorities and responsibilities, I I I don't want

56:33sway necessarily over them in in one way or

56:38Um they have their their way that they do things.

56:44to us in that they will um you know, have meetings

56:49push issues to them during the storm. Um I am able

56:54area or critical infrastructure area that is of

56:59example, the shelters, uh the Nauset shelter and

57:04I've been told has been an issue that has been

57:08their generator and couldn't get power back

57:11prioritize getting that back online because we

57:14the shelter. Um and they just told us there was no

57:19with them, um but that's really what it is. It's

57:24you know, they we can you know, we can exert

57:32go about their restoration during a storm is,

57:37area. Um the avenue that we've used in the past is

57:41so we can go through MEMA and through through

57:45have had issues um and kind of raise those issues

57:50but um they are a good partner in so far as they

57:55it can be very frustrating and very difficult

58:01Um and, you know, while I thank them for that, um

58:06talked about more, and I think the resilience of

58:11is something that is going going to continue to

58:16we're going to continue to have, I think, power

58:21from that more quickly is, I think, something that

58:26our utility or through other means. Um so, I'd

58:31but um you know, they they do communicate with us.

58:36meeting with I meet with them pretty regularly,

58:41influence their their actions is uh you

58:49I seem to notice, as well as other people, that

58:55power in our area. I mean, typically, you know,

59:03to have our heat um before something like

59:09you know, whatever uh discussions you

59:15knowing that um people in in my town uh found

59:22the other um area I wanted to ask you about was I

59:28to see if any of the delegates have have and then

59:35D Noman. Oh, thank you, Madam Speaker. Uh

59:40and I'm glad you're at the top of this. Um I

59:45medical crew that has retired and has dissipated

59:52like using school nurses and such that you

59:59that's a serious situation, 24 hours a

1:00:02your plans or what are your ideas on how we can

1:00:10So, with all of all of these challenges with

1:00:13I think there's a kind of a two-pronged or

1:00:18The first is we do need to get our medical

1:00:22plenty of folks on the Cape that are willing and

1:00:28is on the coordination side. So, the previous

1:00:33storm, and it just was not kind of backfilled, and

1:00:40folks leaving from COVID, just left, you know,

1:00:45folks either weren't here, they were no longer

1:00:50I know the health So, when we moved the

1:00:55we very specifically left the um public health

1:01:01reserve core with the health department to give

1:01:06So, I've been working with Director Gardner and

1:01:12to get that reinvigorated. They actually just

1:01:18start today. So, they've hired two new people to

1:01:24state system. So, for a long time our MRC kind

1:01:29little bit more of an old school method. Um, they

1:01:33Medical Reserve Corps program and and uh response

1:01:39um more quickly and more uh I guess in line with

1:01:44get them places. Um, but they'll be able to more

1:01:49can put out that call. So, that that's one end.

1:01:53management directors and I'll say it to you as

1:01:58tremendous. They are wonderful surge capacity.

1:02:02but they are still volunteers. And you can imagine

1:02:08a lot of folks who aren't here during the winter

1:02:13Um, I I bet if we did an MRC event um 2 months

1:02:18cuz more people are here. So, um what I told the

1:02:24exist within these towns. I know, for example, um

1:02:29has been in looking at um and they might have

1:02:34because that is a resource that exists in their

1:02:39we have had an MOU with Cape Cod Healthcare in the

1:02:44are also struggling getting nurses. So, we can't

1:02:49Um, but that is another resource. Um, we've seen

1:02:54um CNA organizations, home health aid

1:02:59aging and and the the resources that they put

1:03:04We don't necessarily need doctors. We're not

1:03:07not be coming here who have advanced medical

1:03:11um urgent care facilities. Um, but folks who just

1:03:17I also think we can do a lot more in the um

1:03:21their medication, and also making sure it's

1:03:26has someone who comes and takes care of you during

1:03:30help, you know, take medicine, things like that,

1:03:35and and fulfill that function as well. I think

1:03:38really the two-prong. We need to get the Medical

1:03:43have been taken and we have a new new folks who've

1:03:46engagement recently, which is good and promising.

1:03:51identify and develop contracts and relationships

1:03:57do this work in those towns that are there in

1:04:01that and we're certainly working with the other

1:04:05I think those should exist as actual agreements

1:04:19Oh, yes. Uh Delegate Frederickson.

1:04:24Andrew, tremendous uh presentation,

1:04:31that you are now your own unit, that you can help

1:04:37responsive during these uh critical times. Um you

1:04:45but my role is not that anymore. Uh, but

1:04:53you know, we have limited things we can do. But

1:04:58uh you 100%, and uh love to have some offline

1:05:06one asset I thought maybe be worth looking into,

1:05:12is uh Cape Cod Community College. Um, there's

1:05:18of different things, but uh And I got a few

1:05:23what you're doing and uh Look to build help uh you

1:05:32Thank you, sir. Thank you, Delegate uh

1:05:37Thank you once again, um Madam

1:05:44could...I know we spoke offline, um, earlier

1:05:50it to be a surprise for you today, um, but, um,

1:05:58develop a...a...a subcommittee, something that

1:06:04um, to address water and shark safety and, um,

1:06:13of our towns and it is a re-regional approach,

1:06:21the... the buy-in was quite, um, superior at the

1:06:30radar. Um, so could you talk a little bit about

1:06:36this re-um re-committed, uh because, it I think

1:06:43information, to hear from the public, to have open

1:06:50um, duplicate efforts from one town to the other.

1:06:55and towns could um progress even further with

1:07:04Yeah, of course. And I, I actually, I, I think

1:07:08maybe in my, my first then, um, and I think, you

1:07:14I think one of the avenues would be to kind

1:07:19and potentially, you know, if, if

1:07:23wanted by our towns on the outer Cape or by any

1:07:27as a subcommittee or working group under

1:07:31you know that's kind of our open meeting side of

1:07:37play are what the towns ask them to be because

1:07:43if it's a need and a desire that folks want to

1:07:49be more than happy to work to you know add it back

1:07:57Right now we're reviewing with the co-chairs

1:08:01an ordinance come through to a request for an

1:08:07more clearly as to what it is and part of that

1:08:11that works. So you know like like I said earlier

1:08:18agreements or kind of accountabilities created

1:08:25It really was based on the individuals involved

1:08:29some of these things and certainly any of those

1:08:34the future. Would be welcome to be brought

1:08:41the reason why we brought it forth was because

1:08:48we heard from the scientists that there sharks

1:08:54safety needs which the subcommittee broadened

1:09:04was involved in would be beneficial

1:09:10Well, thank you Delegate Green. Yes, uh Deputy

1:09:15first just to clarify, I didn't wasn't sure

1:09:20safety, is that what that's supposed? Uh yes, so

1:09:26this was. Um there was so the Barnstable County

1:09:30subcommittees. Um I believe there was I think it

1:09:34sharks and water safety. Um eventually I believe

1:09:40have most of the subcommittees of the RPC have

1:09:43years. I'd like to get those back up and running.

1:09:49It's okay, now this is your real my question.

1:09:54that presentation. I think it to me it justified

1:09:58us a much better handle on uh a very important

1:10:04So, uh I'm glad we decided uh to reorganize that

1:10:11ask just a real very fundamental question.

1:10:19Uh right now there is uh one and a half people,

1:10:24specialist. We just So, we have two and a half

1:10:29we just rehired uh or we just hired that second

1:10:33two people and one part-time. So, two and a half.

1:10:40can help you too that is this totally additive?

1:10:46from some other position that wasn't filled. This

1:10:53or how many is it? No. Oh, how many is

1:11:00So, uh under the So, when we pulled the division

1:11:05positions within that division. Uh in the new

1:11:08Okay. So, my last question here. Do you foresee

1:11:16you may need to be adding some people in order

1:11:24I I think as we go through this process um and

1:11:28and capability assessment becomes very important

1:11:33the need is. Um certainly um as many of you noted

1:11:40in the uh her report, um I'm also taking on the

1:11:45right? Um and so, there comes a certain point

1:11:53to be understaffed across the country. It's it's

1:11:58to point out uh you know, the value of something

1:12:05with uh with storms, but I think we saw this

1:12:12I will reach a point where when and I think I

1:12:15to add services or programs to what we're doing,

1:12:20have the staff to achieve the functions that we're

1:12:28I could foresee the need for additional support,

1:12:33the like. And we're evaluating all of those

1:12:36we have a lot of equipment. We have a a footprint.

1:12:42sitting in it. Um but that's not necessarily

1:12:48I think it's going to be important to evaluate

1:12:51foresee, um, you know, definitely growth.

1:12:58emergency management's one of those things that

1:13:01the end of the day. I think you're right there as

1:13:08All right. [clears throat] I think our existing

1:13:18The the force multiplier for us is the capacity

1:13:25towns to to fortify their emergency managers

1:13:34capabilities. So, we we, again, serve at

1:13:41emergency management, as Andy pointed out. And

1:13:47we've circulated to the town emergency managers

1:13:54are our effort to sort of codify,

1:14:02what we, what we are capable of doing and able to

1:14:10going to be looking to the towns also to stand up

1:14:16commentary on capacity question that Delegate

1:14:24Uh, Delegate O'Malley.

1:14:30Madam Speaker, that was inadvertent. Sorry.

1:14:39No. Well, thank you very much. This has really

1:14:44department and and what it will do for the Cape to

1:14:52that they have no control over.

1:15:02Now it's time for the assembly to convene. Next

1:15:08committees. The only report is from me as assembly

1:15:16regarding county interaction with

1:15:22as a point of reference uh Administrator Dutton

1:15:30almost a month ago when we tried to plan some

1:15:34would be away most of the week. So it has nothing

1:15:44Administrator Dutton contacted me

1:15:50the uh the ordinance and and how

1:15:56the commissioner's meeting on Wednesday, and he

1:16:02because the uh legal, their legal counsel

1:16:13execution of the ice ordinance as it stands

1:16:23therefore uh is not something that really we

1:16:31can can put forward. Um he at that time

1:16:38either the sponsors or some of the

1:16:43when he got back, which is something that

1:16:52We have we the assembly have

1:16:57uh legal document, which we have not yet received.

1:17:06the final document uh they weighed in earlier when

1:17:11document, which was approved by the assembly in a

1:17:20Um The commissioners are scheduled to look at it

1:17:28be on their agenda and from what I understand

1:17:38and so

1:17:43we'll put it back on our

1:17:47assembly agenda once we get these two legal

1:17:52discussion and full acknowledgement of

1:17:58if there are two different points of view,

1:18:05We're not going to do any questions today because

1:18:12uh as per noted by Delegate O'Malley per

1:18:23for a response. So, at this point there is nothing

1:18:32legal opinions. So, thank you for that and and

1:18:39Yes, go ahead. Thank you, Madam Speaker. So,

1:18:44delegates. Um we hear a lot about opinions of

1:18:51an opinion of counsel is not law. An opinion

1:18:58It is the judgment of a lawyer. And most

1:19:06it is actually a saying among lawyers, I'm one of

1:19:13Um often wrong never in doubt. Um So, I think

1:19:24And also, I'd point out that under

1:19:28it does not say that an ordinance is subject to

1:19:36So, again we all of us need to stop conflating an

1:19:45a court of law. That does matter. Not counsel.

1:19:52very same thing. And I've written many opinions

1:20:01Thank you. Um let's see.

1:20:06Uh since uh let's see, next in

1:20:12There are no orders for today. [laughter] So, next

1:20:22No new business? None that I'm aware of, Madam

1:20:30Clerk Fletcher? Um it is possible depending

1:20:37a committee meeting on Monday. Um stay tuned.

1:20:45or assistant Clerk Dvorak by the end of tomorrow.

1:20:55I guess I would you know, for a little bit more

1:21:00the Government Affairs and Rules Committee could

1:21:05or neither. So, if you're not on either one of

1:21:10it. Not that I would be worried anyway. And if

1:21:14an email from myself or assistant Clerk Dvorak by

1:21:23Are there any other announcements?

1:21:33The assembly has committed

1:21:37All the items on the calendar. Is there

1:21:44No? Since there is no further business,

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