Select Board — May 4, 2026
The meeting featured significant discussions on long-term financial stability, legal intervention against a utility, and a failed motion regarding major housing funds.
Public impact
Projected Operating Budget Deficit
Great Pond Sewer Assessment
Emergency Preparedness Gaps
Decisions logged
Topics discussed
00:31 Recognitions and Proclamations
The Board issued a proclamation for Ron Nunez as the 2026 Outstanding Citizen of the Year and recognized several community members, including Karen Rinaldo, Rev. Nell Fields, Wilson Smith, and retiring staff members.
08:50 Town Manager's Report
Town Manager Rentschura welcomed new Fire Chief Jeff Lewis and provided a public service announcement regarding drought levels, explaining that Falmouth has improved from a Level 2 (significant) to a Level 1 (mild) drought condition.
14:22 Public Comment: Energy Assistance
Eleanor Ling from the Energy Committee announced a National Grid Customer Assistance event to help residents manage energy bills.
16:40 Public Comment: Budget Deficit Request
Richard Doobi requested future agenda items to discuss a projected $105 million operating budget deficit and the lack of a revised long-range financial plan.
22:00 Public Hearing: Barnstable County Fair Licenses
The Board held a hearing regarding entertainment and Sunday entertainment licenses for the Barnstable County Fair at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds.
26:00 Public Hearing: Shipwreck LLC Licenses
A hearing was held for Shipwreck LLC regarding a one-day entertainment license for a road race after-party; a local resident expressed concerns regarding noise levels.
34:00 Naming Request: Shining Sea Bikeway Extension
The Board discussed a request from the Friends of Falmouth Bikeways to name the bikeway extension the 'Patty and Leonard Johnson Bikeway Extension' and install a plaque.
44:38 Licensing: Old Casino LLC
The Board reviewed a request for the transfer of an all-alcohol restaurant license and new entertainment licenses for Old Casino LLC at 286 Grand Avenue.
66:11 Presentation: Farming Falmouth
Jess Cole presented findings from a community food discussion series, highlighting needs for farmland preservation, food policy coordination, and farm worker housing.
86:38 Historical Commemorations and Events
Discussion regarding upcoming July 1st events, including a plaque dedication at the Heights and the potential planting of a 'liberty tree' to mark the 250th anniversary.
94:32 Great Pond Phase One Sewer Assessment
A presentation on the updated project costs, SEU (Sewer Equivalent Unit) assignments for 799 properties, and the betterment assessment structure for the Great Pond sewer project.
136:55 Eversource Substation Project Intervention
The board discussed whether to file an intervenor's petition with the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) regarding Eversource's request for zoning waivers for the Falmouth Tap substation.
140:36 FCTV Digital Navigator / Digital Literacy and Scam Prevention Program Update
An update on the grant-funded program aimed at bridging the digital divide through technology training, one-on-one support, scam prevention, and community partnerships, with plans to expand services to schools and the workforce.
164:00 Review of FY23-FY27 Strategic Plan
The Board reviewed the updated, revised strategic plan developed with consultants from UMass Boston, discussing amendments regarding farmland protection, plan extension, and priority ordering.
22:12 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Update and Consultant RFP
An update on town-wide DEIB initiatives, including recruitment practices, staff training, and a proposal to hire a consultant to build a roadmap for a permanent DEIB officer; discussion focused on setting realistic expectations for the consultant's role.
220:12 Cape Cod Country Club Solar Project Update
An update on the proposed 23.33 MW ground-mount solar array and battery storage system, covering property donation, legislative status, and ongoing lease and tax negotiations.
232:03 Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Loan Approval
Discussion and vote regarding the issuance of interim loan notes and bonds to fund the Great Park Phase One sewer project construction.
240:09 Affordable Housing Fund: Bushwood 545 LLC Award
Discussion on whether to rescind a $3.4 million financial award to Bushwood 545 LLC due to the developer's failure to close on the property and the owner's entry into a new agreement with a different developer.
262:16 Winter Storm Bernardo After-Action Report and Post-Storm Emergency Response Review
A review of the town's performance during a major snowstorm, identifying weaknesses in communication, generator redundancy, road clearing tracking, debris management, and the need for better emergency communications (including non-digital methods), a dedicated Public Information Officer (PIO), and website improvements; also discussed limitations of warming centers versus regional shelters.
286:13 Emergency Shelter and Warming Center Coordination
Discussion regarding the limitations of warming centers, which close in the evening, versus regional shelters managed by the Red Cross and regional emergency management. The board discussed the possibility of better utilizing local facilities like Elm High School for overnight shelter.
294:51 One Stop for Growth Grant Application
The Community Development Director presented a proposal to apply for a $150,000 grant to update the town's local comprehensive plan, involving housing, transportation, and natural resources.
298:00 Approval of Meeting Minutes
The board reviewed and corrected the previous meeting minutes before final approval.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
Affordable Housing Fund Rescission
Eversource Substation Project
DEIB Consultant RFP
Split votes
Community vs. board tension
Action items
Notable statements
The forecast shows an operating budget with a cumulative deficit for years 2026 through 2035 of $105,953,802. — Richard Doobi · Requesting discussion on long-term financial planning and the massive projected deficit. 16:40
If you were to ask me to construct a department to be a part of and to be the chief of Falmouth, would it be it. This is exactly where I wanna be. — Jeff Lewis (Fire Chief) · Welcoming remarks following his appointment. 09:58
Land must remain in active agriculture to serve the community. Conservation, preservation alone doesn't guarantee food production. — Jess Cole (Farming Falmouth) · Emphasizing the importance of active farming over mere land preservation. 67:39
I just implore our select boards to keep an eye on the taxes and fees in total Totality, not just necessarily in silos... — Unidentified speaker · Expressing concern regarding the cumulative impact of the sewer assessment on taxpayers in the future. 159:47
...neighbors need to be listened to. What was also mentioned is, one of the most affordable pockets of Falmouth, and it's time that, it's time we do respect the areas of town... — Unidentified speaker · Arguing in favor of intervention against Eversource to protect local residents and property values. 146:33
I'm somewhat disheartened that in this particular instance, it seems that, Eversource isn't being as collaborative and cooperative with respect to what Town residents' concerns are... — Unidentified speaker · Commenting on Eversource's lack of responsiveness to community suggestions regarding the substation site plan. 146:03
Reach out to District Attorney Robert Gallois... He's trying to establish an office on elder frauds before the Cape and Islands. — Unidentified speaker · Suggesting regional partnerships for scam prevention. 157:58
Change the order of the prioritized list and put financial and economic stability at the top. — Unidentified speaker · Commenting on the strategic plan priorities. 167:07
We need to move out of town hall... DEIB work is in our community affairs, in the business community, in the real estate community. — Unidentified speaker · Critiquing the scope of the DEIB position and emphasizing community-wide engagement. 209:00
No employee of this town can solve all social ills within our town. — Unidentified speaker · Discussing the realistic scope of a DEIB consultant's role. 225:12
The matter before us this evening isn't a policy decision, it is a fiduciary decision. — Unidentified speaker · Arguing that the decision to rescind housing funds should be based on the board's duty as trustees rather than their support for workforce housing policy. 250:14
We could also explore... underground utilities, which are much more resilient in the system. — Unidentified speaker · Suggesting long-term mitigation strategies for power outages during storms. 285:45
We still need to be able to do some of the rudimentary things for communicating to people... when the internet goes down, so does everything else. — Unidentified speaker · Emphasizing the need for non-digital communication methods during emergencies. 279:58
We do have in our strategic plan that we just approved, to consider dedicated communications staff. — Unidentified speaker · Responding to the discussion about the need for a Public Information Officer (PIO). 311:13
EDIC was formed to be a project-oriented body... we want to be a partner, and we will be a partner, as much as—but we want to really help with economic vision. — Unidentified speaker · Discussing the Economic Development Advisory Committee's (EDIC) support for the grant application. 295:55
Public comment
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grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4-fast, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-05-30.