View the Barnstable HandbookTown Government
Barnstable Town Council
Barnstable’s Town Council has thirteen members, one elected from each of the town’s thirteen precincts. Councilors serve staggered four-year terms and choose one of their own as President to chair the Council. The Council is the legislative and policy-making branch of town government, and it — not the Town Manager — appoints residents to the town’s many boards and commissions.
- Sets policy and law by adopting ordinances and resolutions.
- Controls the purse by adopting the town’s annual operating and capital budgets.
- Hires the executive by appointing and overseeing the Town Manager.
Council Members
President Craig Tamash (Precinct 4) chairs the Council and Vice President Kris Clark (Precinct 11) serves as his second. Each councilor represents a single precinct. The Precinct 13 seat is currently vacant following the death of Councilor Felicia Penn in June 2026 and will be filled per the town charter.
Gordon Starr
Thomas Kane
Betty Ludtke
Craig A. Tamash
John R. Crow
Paul Neary
Seth W. Burdick
Lisa DaLuz
Charles R. Bloom
Matthew Levesque
Kris Clark
Barry Sheingold
Vacant
Individual councilor emails and direct lines are on the town’s Town Councilor Contacts directory at barnstable.gov.
Meetings & How to Participate
- When: twice monthly (once in July and August) at Town Hall, 367 Main Street, Hyannis — Hearing Room.
- Agendas & minutes: posted in advance by the Town Clerk under the Open Meeting Law at barnstable.gov.
- Public comment: residents may speak in person or by Zoom; written comment to Council@barnstable.gov.
- Watch: meetings air on Barnstable Government Access (Xfinity Ch. 8 / 1070, HD 1072) and stream online.
Public hearings and meetings are where residents shape town decisions.