View the Barnstable HandbookTown Government
Town Departments
Finding the Right Department
Most services residents need — paying a bill, pulling a permit, reporting a problem, registering to vote — run through a town department rather than an elected official. Each reports to the Town Manager, who appoints department heads.
The directory below covers the departments residents contact most. For the full list, hours, and staff, visit barnstable.gov. The Citizen Resource Line is 508-862-4925.
Department Directory
| Town Manager | Chief executive; oversees all departments and the budget. |
|---|---|
| Town Clerk | Records, licenses, vital records, elections, and voter registration. |
| Assessing | Property valuations, tax assessments, and exemptions. |
| Treasurer / Collector | Tax and utility billing and payments. |
| Planning & Development | Planning, zoning, housing, and economic development. |
| Inspectional Services | Building permits, health, and inspections. |
| Police | Public safety. Police HQ on Phinney’s Lane, Hyannis. |
| Public Works | Streets, sewer, solid waste & recycling, and structures. |
| Marine & Environmental Affairs | Harbors, moorings, shellfish, Sandy Neck, and natural resources. |
| Community Services | Recreation, the Council on Aging, youth, and veterans’ services. |
A Barnstable Quirk: Independent Fire Districts
Unlike most Massachusetts municipalities, Barnstable does not run a single town fire department. Fire and emergency medical services — and, in most villages, public water — are provided by five independent fire districts, each with its own elected officials, budget, and tax rate:
- Barnstable Fire District
- Cotuit Fire District
- C-O-MM (Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills) Fire District
- Hyannis Fire District
- West Barnstable Fire District
- Each is governed separately from Town Hall.
Town departments carry out state and local law. See how Massachusetts government connects to your town.