15 ways to screw your neighborhood

It took me the better part of three weeks to get this map from Town Hall. Take a look at these Precinct boundaries and you'll understand why.

The new Charter combines three precincts for each councilor for a total of five. There will be five councilors elected at large and the council president for a total of eleven councilors. One or more villages will lose direct representation with this schema.

Either Marston Mills goes the way of the dodo bird or Centerville needs to stage a takeover of Barnstable Village. There are only so many ways to chop Barnstable up into 15 pieces.

For a PDF version of this map, see: Barnstable Precincts 15 (1304.9K PDF)

To be fair, I offer the following disclaimer from the Town Clerk:

I found out you have been trying to get a copy of the discussion map of 15 precincts that was created. 

I had spoken with Richard Clark when the charter was in the beginning stages. He was looking to see what a map of the town of Barnstable would look like if it had 15 precincts. I looked to see if we had any of the maps that had been created by Boston for the last census that had a number of different variations of 12, 14 and 15 precincts - we did not. 

Our GIS Dept. was good enough to take what figures we have (based on the 2000 census) and drew a 15 precinct map for the charter commission to get an idea of what it would look like.  This is not an "official" map - it is basically a map that was utilized for discussion purposes.  That is why it was not filed with our official maps.

This is the future Richard Clark is offering you.

Comments

[Wilbur Johnson]

I would think you would be happy with the balance of power tipping in Hyannis favor with 1/3 of the precincts in that village. If this map is the final map then Hyannis could two at large councilors and two district. As I understand the current draft charter language there will be a total of 11 councilor.

With the map you display hyannis would only need votes for a simple majority when ever needed.

Keep in mind that the map you have display is based on ten year old census information and those precinct lines could very easily change!

[bugsy]

I don't see that Hyannis will necessarily gain anything from this plan. We'll get two or three seats from the eight available. How is this different than 4 of 13 - either scenario is 1/3 of the vote?

I do expect Marstons Mills to be chopped into tiny little pieces. It is generally thought that Barnstable, West Barnstable and a part of Marstons Mills will be combined. Similarly, Cotuit, Osterville and another piece of Marstons Mills is expected to make up another precinct. Centerville is expected to grab the remaining piece of Marstons Mills.

But, it doesn't have to go this way. Hyannis has lost a lot of its population and the power to draw district lines lies with Centerville AND Marstons Mills.

[ANONYMOUS]

Could you please find out the web-site that has all the retired employees living and deceased from the county of barnstable, town of barnstable and the amount of their yearly pension they or their spouse receives.

[bugsy]

This is the only database page I know about:

http://www.capecodapps.com/databases/salaries/search.php

It's doesn't have retires. Only accidental disabilities employees:

http://www.capecodapps.com/databases/disability/search.php

[pink slipped]

Are you seriously afraid this charter might be adopted? That map looks like an abortion. It'll never happen.

Has Fatsy Grenier redistricted the neighborhoods for the schools yet, or did she go back to Europe for some more rest and reflection on what a mess she has made for our children.

You should be far more interested in her hatchet job on redistricting for the schools because that is actually GOING TO HAPPEN.

[bugsy]

Gary Lopez follows the schools on his blog:

http://www.capecog.com

We all do what we can. I don't have kids in the school system.

[More maps..]

Here is the redistricting plan you asked about:

http://www.barnstablepatriot.com/home2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17824&Itemid=30

Under the plan approved by the school committee, Barnstable-West Barnstable, Hyannis West and Centerville elementary schools will see no displacements, as they are receiving schools.

Hyannis West and BWB will split the students formally districted to Hyannis East, with Route 28 a primary dividing line. Centerville picks up a small portion from Hyannis, as well as some students from Osterville.

The former MME charter school building will house the relocated program from Osterville Elementary School. It’s also where students from the closing Marstons Mills and Cotuit school buildings will attend.

The Marstons Mills charter school, which will be located at the former Hyannis East building, draws its students from an application process and is not subject to the redistricting plan.

“It really is truly miraculous,” Grenier said of how the plan came together.