View the Barnstable HandbookBarnstable splits its leadership between two roles. The Town Manager is the professional chief executive who runs the town day to day. The Council President — a councilor chosen by colleagues — presides over the Town Council and serves as its leader. Barnstable has no separately elected mayor.
The Town Manager
Mark S. Ells
Mark Ells has served as Barnstable’s Town Manager since 2016. A licensed professional engineer, he rose through the town’s ranks in senior roles including Assistant Town Manager and Director of Public Works before being appointed the town’s chief executive. As Town Manager he is appointed by and accountable to the Town Council, oversees every department, prepares the annual operating and capital budgets, and carries out the policies the Council sets.
| Role | Town Manager (chief executive) |
|---|---|
| In office | Since 2016 |
| Office | Town Hall, 367 Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601 |
| Phone | 508-862-4610 |
| Website | barnstable.gov |
The Council President
Craig A. Tamash
Craig Tamash represents Precinct 4 and serves as President of the Town Council. As President he sets the Council agenda and chairs its meetings, holding the town’s highest elected presiding role. Day-to-day administration rests with the Town Manager, whom the Council appoints. Councilor Kris Clark of Precinct 11 serves as Vice President.
| Role | Town Council President (Precinct 4 councilor) |
|---|---|
| Office | Town Council, 367 Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601 |
| Phone | 508-862-4738 (Council office) |
| Website | barnstable.gov |
Who Does What
- The Town Manager appoints department heads, prepares and manages the budget, signs contracts, and runs daily operations. Hired by the Council and replaceable by it.
- The Council President sets the agenda, chairs meetings, and represents the Council — but votes as one of thirteen and does not run departments.
- Together they balance professional administration with elected accountability — the defining feature of council-manager government.
Contact & Engage
- Town Hall: 367 Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601 · Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Citizen Resource Line: 508-862-4925 — you call, you ask, they answer.
- Watch: Town Council meetings air on Barnstable Government Access (Xfinity Ch. 8 / 1070, HD 1072) and stream online.
- Comment: public comment may be made in person or by Zoom; written comments to Council@barnstable.gov.
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