Barnstable County Government

Barnstable County Government Cape Cod, Masachusetts
Barnstable County Regional Government of Cape Cod The purpose of this site is to present matters of public interest in Barnstable County.

Barnstable County Regional Government is proud to focus attention on regional issues and resources that impact our coastal waters, environment, and public health and safety. We work hard to develop programs to educate and inform our residents on conserving energy, food safety and nutrition, recycling and household hazardous products (just to name a few). Facebook Policy
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ments to this site provided by Barnstable County. We encourage you to submit your questions, comments, and concerns, but please note this is a moderated online discussion site and not a public forum. Once posted, the County reserves the right to delete submissions that contain vulgar language, personal attacks of any kind, or offensive comments that target or disparage any ethnic, racial, or religious group. Further, the County also reserves the right to delete comments that: (i) are spam or include links to other sites; (ii) are clearly off topic; (iii) advocate illegal activity; (iv) promote particular services, products, or political organizations; (v) infringe on copyrights or trademarks; (vi) use personally identifiable information; (vii) contain individual-specific and other confidential information. Please note that the comments expressed on this site do not reflect the opinions and position of the Barnstable County government or its officers and employees. If you have any questions concerning the operation of this online moderated discussion site, please contact the Barnstable County administration.

🥶Cape Cod Gardeners: Please step away from the panic button.Yes, it's going to be cooler than normal for the next few ni...
05/29/2026

🥶Cape Cod Gardeners: Please step away from the panic button.

Yes, it's going to be cooler than normal for the next few nights.

No, this is not the Garden Apocalypse.

Most of Cape Cod is expected to stay around 50°F, with some spots dipping into the upper 40s. That's a little chilly for late May, but it's not unusual and it's not a freeze.

Here's the quick version:

🌸 Hydrangeas? Fine.

🌱 Perennials? Fine.

🥬 Lettuce, kale, peas, and other cool-season vegetables? Also fine.

🍅 Tomatoes, peppers, basil, cucumbers, melons, and eggplant? They're the drama queens of the garden. They prefer warm nights and may sulk when temperatures dip into the upper 40s and low 50s.

🪴 Tropical plants and houseplants that have moved outdoors for the summer may need extra attention. If you can bring them inside, do it.

If you're worried about tender plants, cover them with a sheet, light towel, or row cover overnight. Container plants can also be moved into a garage, shed, or protected spot.

The good news? This weather may slow growth a bit, but for most gardens on Cape Cod, it's not a disaster.

Think "light jacket weather" for your basil, not "evacuate immediately."

🌱 Not sure if your plant is pouting, panicking, or perfectly fine? Give it a few days after the cool weather passes. If you notice changes or have questions, connect with the Master Gardener Association of Cape Cod through the Horticulture Clinic at capecod.gov/hortclinic. They're happy to help you figure out what's going on in your garden.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection season is in full swing across Cape Cod!Now through the fall, Cape residents can sa...
05/29/2026

Household Hazardous Waste Collection season is in full swing across Cape Cod!

Now through the fall, Cape residents can safely dispose of items that don't belong in the trash, including:

✔️ Oil paints and solvents
✔️ Automotive and fuel products
✔️ Household cleaners
✔️ Lawn and garden chemicals
✔️ Mercury-containing items

Proper disposal helps protect Cape Cod's drinking water, local waterways, and the environment we all depend on. It also helps keep first responders safer by removing potentially dangerous materials from homes, garages, sheds, and basements.

⚠️ Before you load up the car, check your town's collection schedule and accepted items. Not everything can be brought to every collection.

👉 Visit www.loveyourlocalwater.org to:
• Find your town's collection brochure
• See what materials are accepted
• Learn what cannot be brought to collections
• Get dates, locations, and program details

Let's clear the clutter and protect the Cape we love. 💙

Got boat shrink wrap? 🚤♻️You can recycle your boat shrink wrap at Cape Cod transfer stations now through July 31. It’s F...
05/28/2026

Got boat shrink wrap? 🚤♻️

You can recycle your boat shrink wrap at Cape Cod transfer stations now through July 31. It’s FREE for Cape Cod residents.

📍 Bourne
📍 Chatham
📍 Eastham
📍 Falmouth
📍 Wellfleet

✔ Clean wrap only
✔ Remove straps, vents, and zippers
✔ No curbside recycling

This program is a partnership between Barnstable County’s Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and WHOI Sea Grant , helping keep plastic out of our landfills and local waters.

👉 Get full details, locations, and tips:
seagrant.whoi.edu/shrinkwrap

Let’s keep Cape Cod clean, one boat at a time

Town of Chatham, MA Town of Eastham Town of Wellfleet, Cape Cod Town of Sandwich, MA Town of Barnstable Town of Mashpee Town of Yarmouth Massachusetts Town of Dennis Town of Brewster, Cape Cod Town of Harwich Town of Orleans, MA Town of Wellfleet, Cape Cod Town of Truro, Massachusetts Town of Truro Health & Conservation Department Town of Provincetown

Cape Cod’s biggest regional challenges were front and center at Wednesday’s Barnstable County Commissioners meeting in Y...
05/28/2026

Cape Cod’s biggest regional challenges were front and center at Wednesday’s Barnstable County Commissioners meeting in Yarmouth.

The meeting was part of Barnstable County’s “Meetings in the Community” initiative, which brings one Commissioners meeting each month to a different Cape Cod town to encourage regional collaboration and allow residents and local officials to participate more directly in discussions affecting their communities.

Discussions included:
• wastewater infrastructure and water quality
• impacts of long-term construction on local businesses
• coastal resiliency and marsh restoration
• online scams targeting seniors
• planning for the Cape’s aging population
• housing, open space, and redevelopment pressures
• state lottery aid distribution formulas

One projection discussed during the meeting: by 2030, nearly half of Cape Cod’s population is expected to be age 60 or older.

Town leaders, regional officials, and County departments participated in conversations about issues affecting communities across Cape Cod.

Read the full recap here: https://loom.ly/_o5Zuwc

REMINDER: The Barnstable County Commissioners are heading to Yarmouth next week as part of their ongoing meetings in Cap...
05/22/2026

REMINDER: The Barnstable County Commissioners are heading to Yarmouth next week as part of their ongoing meetings in Cape Cod communities.

Join us on Wednesday, May 27 at 10:00 AM at Yarmouth Town Hall to hear updates and discussions on topics impacting the region — including healthy aging programs, protecting seniors from internet fraud scams, open space planning, the Bass River Dredging project, and more.

These meetings are an opportunity for residents to hear directly from local and regional leaders — and for the County to hear from the communities it serves.

📍 Yarmouth Town Hall
🗓 Wednesday, May 27, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM

Can’t attend in person? Watch live on the Barnstable County YouTube Channel or join via Zoom.

The full agenda will be posted at least 48 hours before the meeting at www.capecod.gov.

05/21/2026

Cape Cod’s beaches, woodlands, and marshes are more than scenic landscapes. They are essential to the region’s drinking water, wildlife habitat, and economy. To help ensure these resources are protected for generations to come, the Cape Cod Commission is developing a regional open space plan.

The 2025 Regional Policy Plan (RPP) establishes a goal to conserve, preserve, and enhance a connected network of open space that supports the Cape’s natural systems and community character. It also includes a recommended action to develop a regional open space plan to identify lands of natural and community significance for protection.

Read more: https://cccom.link/0426-OS

Summer break is coming… and the “I’m bored” countdown is already ticking. 😅The Barnstable County 4-H Youth Exhibit Hall ...
05/21/2026

Summer break is coming… and the “I’m bored” countdown is already ticking. 😅

The Barnstable County 4-H Youth Exhibit Hall gives kids a chance to create something, learn something new, and see their hard work on display for the community this summer.

And nope, you do NOT need to be in 4-H to enter.

Kids ages 5 to 18 can submit projects like:
🎨 Art and crafts
🧁 Baking and cooking
🌱 Gardening
📸 Photography
🧱 LEGO creations
🔬 Science and STEM projects

It doesn’t have to be perfect. The best part is watching kids build confidence, try something new, and say, “I made that.”

Start brainstorming those fair projects now at https://loom.ly/j4pGCJc

The Barnstable County Commissioners are heading to Yarmouth next week as part of their ongoing meetings in Cape Cod comm...
05/20/2026

The Barnstable County Commissioners are heading to Yarmouth next week as part of their ongoing meetings in Cape Cod communities.

Join us on Wednesday, May 27 at 10:00 AM at Yarmouth Town Hall to hear updates and discussions on topics impacting the region — including healthy aging programs, protecting seniors from internet fraud scams, open space planning, the Bass River Dredging project, and more.

These meetings are an opportunity for residents to hear directly from local and regional leaders — and for the County to hear from the communities it serves.

📍 Yarmouth Town Hall
🗓 Wednesday, May 27, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM

Can’t attend in person? Watch live on the Barnstable County YouTube Channel or join via Zoom.

The full agenda will be posted at least 48 hours before the meeting at www.capecod.gov.

05/20/2026

When it comes to getting wastewater treatment certifications, quality-controlled sampling and laboratory analysis is paramount. A good R&D program pays close attention to the numbers as well.

We will work with you to develop a sampling plan that fits your needs and budget. Your samples will be taken by qualified MASSTC staff and taken to our parent agency’s state-certified Water Quality Laboratory for analysis.

Field data are recorded with each sample to give you a better picture of your system’s performance.

To find out more about our lab and sampling, or to inquire about
pricing, head to our link in bio!

The County Newsletter from the Commissioners’ Office is published twice each month following the Barnstable County Commi...
05/20/2026

The County Newsletter from the Commissioners’ Office is published twice each month following the Barnstable County Commissioners’ regular meetings, providing updates on regional initiatives.

Edition 37 includes:
• Shareen Davis named the 2026 Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year
• CCRTA recognized for its blizzard response efforts
• Youth Connecting Spaces initiative updates
• Beach water monitoring returning June 1
• Boat shrink wrap recycling regional impact
• Courthouse restoration project updates
• FY2026 Third Quarter Financial Report highlights

Read the latest edition and sign up to receive future newsletters directly in your inbox. https://conta.cc/4wDSsXj

Address

3195 Main Street
Barnstable, MA
02630

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+15083756600

Website

http://www.barnstablecounty.org/, https://linktr.ee/capecodgov

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