Winter in Cotuit. Stephanie Brown Smith via Facebook
Welcome to our new, digital Cotuit Currents!
Hello Spring! The Currents is back from our January-March hiatus with a new, digital-only version of our monthly newsletter. More on that in a bit, but first, an important deadline:
In May, we will vote to elect one member on each of the Board of Fire Commissioners, Board of Water Commissioners, and Prudential Committee for a three-year term. If you want to run for one of these seats, here’s how:
- Pick up nomination papers at the Cotuit Water Department, 4300 Falmouth Rd.
- Collect at least 25 signatures. Extra signatures are recommended in case some signatures cannot be verified or are deemed invalid.
- Deliver the completed paperwork to the Town Clerk’s office (367 Main St, Hyannis) for signature verification no later than 4:30 p.m., April 6.
- Return the signature-verified paperwork to the Cotuit Water Department by 4 p.m., April 21.
For more information, contact Ryan Ouellette at rouellette@cotuitfiredistrict.org
In January, the CSCA Executive Board voted in new officers: Lisa Vasiloff (President), Lisa Nagel (Vice President), Natalie Spence (Treasurer), and Phil Odence (Secretary).
If that means nothing to you, here’s a bit of background…
The Cotuit Santuit Civic Association (CSCA) is a non-profit organization led by volunteers to provide a forum for civic discussion, identify and resolve matters, and promote a sense of community through activities and programs. We consist of a 12-person board who meet monthly at the Cotuit Library.
For the past many years we have written, printed, and mailed physical versions of our monthly information newsletter, Cotuit Currents, which highlights local happenings, Town news, and events. After a series of thoughtful discussions last year, the Board decided to switch to an email-first version due to rising costs and unreliable deliverability.
Thank you as always for your support of our organization and please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions, suggestions, or comments. We’d love for you to be involved!
Lisa Vasiloff, Presidentcsca@cotuitcivicassociation.org
PS: April is Membership Month! If you haven’t renewed your membership for 2026, visit our website for online payment. If you have a friend, neighbor, or colleague who lives in Cotuit and is not already a member, please help us spread the word!
In Case You Missed It
You may have noticed we’re using surveys to better understand what’s important to the community. If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to fill out the Concerns of Cotuit 2026 Survey before we meet with the Town of Barnstable in early April.
Cotuit Fire District News
💧 Board of Water Commissioners
The annual water main flushing program began at the end of March and will be completed before June 1. (Last year it wrapped up quite a bit earlier.) This preventative maintenance program helps ensure that our water quality is not compromised. While the program is ongoing, signs will be visible in the flushing area, and flushing locations will be posted daily on the Water Department’s website and Facebook page. Water discoloration may occur and should clear after a short time. Residents are advised to set aside water for drinking and cooking and to avoid doing laundry between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. It’s also wise to check water clarity before use by running the cold water first, as water lines outside of the immediate flushing area can be affected. Call the Water Department with any questions, 508-428-2687.
🔥 Board of Fire Commissioners
The Cotuit Fire Station renovation and addition is well underway. Throughout the winter months, crews worked on site preparation and foundational work, and residents will soon see the addition taking shape above ground as the structural components are installed. The Fire District continues to work closely with our construction partners and project leadership team to keep the surrounding streets as clear and accessible as possible and to limit disruptions to the community.
🏛️ Prudential Committee
Progress continues on the Cotuit Elementary School demolition and landscaping project. On March 9, 2026, the Prudential Committee voted unanimously to approve final construction and landscaping drawings and to send the project out to bid.
Interested contractors will bid on the project based on the detailed construction and landscaping plans. We are required by law to accept the lowest bid. We remain on track to have the building demolished and the landscaping completed during the spring planting season. The landscaping site plan is available for review on the CFD website.
Barnstable and Beyond
This month’s Town Council meetings are on April 16 and 30, at 6 p.m. in the Hearing Room at Barnstable Town Hall or via Zoom.
Seth Burdick
Town Councilor for Precinct 7
Office hours on the second Wednesday of the month (April 8) from 4–5 p.m. at the Cotuit Library. Seth can be reached at 774-228-0308 or by email:seth.burdick@town.barnstable.ma.us
Kip Diggs
State Representative
Office hours at the Cotuit Library on Monday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to noon. Kip can be reached at 617-722-2380 or by email:Kip.Diggs@mahouse.gov
Community Bulletin
Cotuit Library
Registration is required for most events.
- Easter egg hunt, Saturday, April 4, 10–11 a.m. BYOBasket!
- Tech Lab with Barnstable Council on Aging, Tuesday, April 14, 10 a.m.–noon. One-on-one and peer support for your devices.
- Seed Starting 101, Tuesday, April 14, 2:30–4 p.m. Learn the basics of seed propagation.
- CPR Class with Cotuit Fire Department, Wednesday, April 15, 10–11:15 a.m. Learn hands-only CPR, how to use an AED, and how to treat choking in adults and children.
- Earth Day Extravaganza, Tuesday, April 21, 2–3:30 p.m. Crafts on the Art Bus, nature scavenger hunt, plant identification with microscopes, and seedling planting.
- Geography Game Show, Wednesday, April 22, 2–3:30 p.m. Get kids excited about geography and world cultures.
- Poetry Workshop for kids, Thursday, April 23, 1–2 p.m.
Historical Society
- Applications for the Pemberton and Bernice T. Whitcomb Scholarship are due April 1. Open to seniors in all Barnstable schools. Download application and submit to info@cotuithistoricalsociety.org
- On Thursday, April 16, the Historical Book Club discusses Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism, by James W. Loewen. Cotuit Library, 6 p.m.
Cahoon Museum of American Art
- Mermaid Tea Party, Thursday, April 23, 1–3 p.m. Iced tea, snacks, crafts, games, and cupcake decorating. Perfect for kids and mermaid enthusiasts of all ages. $35/$25 members.
- Story Time, Friday, April 24, 10–11 a.m. Join us at the Museum for a special Story Time for children ages 1 to 4 and their caregivers, led by Cotuit Library Children’s Librarian Julie Thomas. Free with registration.
- Shadow Box Workshop, Thursday, April 30, 1–4 p.m. Explore the art of the shadow box with exhibiting artist Dawn McKenzie. $60/$50 members.
Barnstable Land Trust
Celebrate Earth Month this April with Barnstable Land Trust — we have lots of fun ways to help you ‘spring’ into action. Cast your vote for the MVP championship of BLT’s Marsh Madness game OR check out our other free programs: Earth Extravaganza in partnership with the Cotuit Library and Cotuit Center for the Arts, the Honor the Earth Fair with the Native Land Conservancy, our first seasonal birding walk with Cotuit local Tom Burgess, special volunteer land stewardship days, a State of the Harbor event (Barnstable Harbor), Tiny Trekkers, and more.
Cape Cod Academy
We invite Cotuit families to join the 2026 Summer Experience on Cape Cod Academy’s campus in Osterville. This summer, CCA is offering swimming classes, arts and crafts, cooking, and a variety of sports camps. Families can also rent out the pool or participate in family swim times. Additionally, one-on-one summer tutoring programs for students entering kindergarten through grade 12 are available. Our team of experienced summer instructors, who are CCA faculty, offer high energy, educational, and fun activities for all ages.
Fun Fact
Cotuit is home to the oldest running oyster operation in the United States, the first hotel on the Cape, and is considered the birthplace of “summering” on the Cape.
Thanks for reading and we’ll see you again next month!
