Community Corner

🌱 How a 99-year-old keeps Barnstable’s property tax system on track

And check out HOLIDAY MARKET Fri & Sat @ Hyannis Arts Hall • LAST CHANCE holiday gifts on the Barnstable Patch calendar

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Coffee in hand, Barnstable? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a 99-year-old keeps Barnstable’s property tax system on track
  • How a Route 132 bike crash shut down traffic for hours
  • How a new county housing program could reshape year-round homes on Cape Cod

Also on today's calendar: HOLIDAY MARKET Fri & Sat @ Hyannis Arts Hall • LAST CHANCE holiday gifts and 3 more events.

Find out what's happening in Barnstablefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Barnstablefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Partly sunny; windy, colder, with a high of 39 and low of 22 degrees.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny, brisk and cold, temps: high: 33, low: 23.
  • Saturday: Mainly cloudy, with a high of 38 and low of 26 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Meet 99-year-old Mel Pauze, who keeps this piece of Barnstable government running (capecodtimes.com) — A 99-year-old Barnstable resident, Melvin Pauze, is quietly keeping the Barnstable Board of Assessors functioning by reliably serving as one of only two active members. His decades of assessing experience and volunteer spirit have helped the town maintain critical property valuation and tax work, even as Barnstable struggles to fill hundreds of volunteer positions on boards and committees.
   

2. Bicyclist struck by two trucks near mall in Hyannis, taken to hospital (capecodtimes.com) — A bicyclist suffered serious injuries after being hit by two pickup trucks Tuesday afternoon on Route 132 between the Airport Rotary and Cape Cod Mall in Barnstable. Police closed the busy stretch of Iyannough Road for several hours for accident reconstruction, and the man, who is temporarily staying in Hyannis, was taken to Cape Cod Hospital.
   

3. Hingham Company To Lead Barnstable County Regional Housing Services Program (patch.com) — Barnstable County has tapped Hingham-based Barrett Planning Group to run its Shared Regional Housing Services program, which supports Cape Cod towns with affordable housing compliance and planning. The expanded initiative, funded initially through ARPA, centralizes technical assistance, data management, and monitoring of deed-restricted units to help preserve year-round housing options for residents across the region.
   

4. Orleans Food Pantry Expands to Keep Up With Increased Demand (provincetownindependent.org) — Rising food insecurity across Barnstable County, where over a third of households struggled in 2024, is driving record demand at local food pantries. The Lower Cape Outreach Council has tripled the size of its Orleans pantry but is straining to afford enough food as SNAP funding disruptions and high living costs push more Cape residents to seek help.
   

📸 Around Barnstable

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Barnstable

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📣 Barnstable Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Anybody know of a good window washing company?
    I have skylights I can’t reach. Thanks neighbors! (Nextdoor Old Jail Lane Environs)
  • Barnstable Community Horace Mann Charter Public posted a job opening for R 3040 CNA Instructor in Barnstable. Apply here.
  • Travelers Insurance Company posted a job opening for Outside Auto Appraiser Trainee in Barnstable. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Barnstable here.

Ok Barnstable! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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