COTUIT FIRE DISTRICT NEWS | | |
💧 Board of Water Commissioners
Cotuit remains in a Level 2 Drought, and conserving our drinking water supply continues to be important. Under our current voluntary conservation measures, non-essential outdoor watering is limited to two days per week—Monday and Wednesday for odd-numbered homes and Tuesday and Thursday for even-numbered homes. Please also avoid outdoor water use between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.
| Automatic irrigation systems deserve special attention. Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 21, Section 67 requires newly installed or renovated irrigation systems to have a system interruption device that suspends programmed watering during periods of sufficient moisture. Check that your rain or moisture sensor is installed and operating properly, and adjust your irrigation schedule for current weather conditions. If Mother Nature has already watered your lawn, your irrigation system shouldn’t! | |
🔥 Board of Fire Commissioners
The Cotuit Fire Department is preparing to move into the new fire station addition. This important milestone will allow renovation work to begin on the existing station. Emergency services will remain fully operational throughout the project, but during this next phase, residents may notice changes to parking, building access, apparatus locations, and activity around the station. We are working closely with the contractors to limit traffic disruptions along High Street, and we will continue coordinating throughout the project to minimize the impact on our neighbors and the traveling public. We appreciate everyone’s continued patience, understanding, and cooperation as construction progresses. We also thank the contractors, project team, Fire Commissioners, and department members whose hard work continues to move the project forward.
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🏛️ Prudential Committee
At the Prudential Committee meeting on September 21, the Water and Fire Departments presented their projected capital expenditure needs. Both presentations are now posted on the Cotuit Fire District website under Meetings.
| Beyond the continuing replacement of water mains and the periodic repainting of our water towers, the Water Department projects the possible long-term need to construct a water treatment facility to treat contaminants in our drinking water. They stressed that our water currently meets all health standards, but noted slowly increasing levels of some contaminants. The Commissioners do not see this need within the next five years. If eventually necessary, such a facility would likely cost $30-$35 million, plus ongoing staffing and operational expenditures. | The Fire Department projects, over the next 15 years, $4.48 million in capital expenses, 80% of which will relate to vehicles and apparatus. In the short term, the Department will be seeking about $900,000 to replace the 32-year-old Engine 2. The Chief noted that the wait time for the delivery of a new vehicle is several years. | | | | |
Here’s a sample of what’s happening at the library this month. Registration is required for all listed programs. | |
For adults:
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A Cape-friendly Landscape, Tuesday, October 6, 2-3 p.m. Association to Preserve Cape Cod’s director for education, Kristin Andres, will share ways you can support pollinators and birds, protect water quality, and conserve water.
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Walk and Talk, Wednesdays, October 7, 14, 21, 28. Bring a water bottle and friendly vibes to the library parking lot for some light stretches and then a relaxed stroll around the village.
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Trees!! with Sherry Hines, Friday, October 16, 2-3 p.m. Local horticulturalist and tree nerd Sherry Hines from SavATree will present tree identification and maintenance tips, as well as how to gauge the overall health of your trees.
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Wonder Walk in Ropes Field, Saturday, October 17, noon-1 p.m. We are partnering with the Barnstable Land Trust for their Write Out Cape Cod program. Use your senses to complete a mindful scavenger hunt, and record your observations through poetry, short stories, or drawings. Each participant gets a notebook to use and bring home.
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Mushrooms! with local shroom expert Chase Freeman, owner of Cape Cod Mushroom Company and developer of Sporeline, a mushroom farm management app. Learn about edible mushroom cultivation on Cape Cod. Tuesday, October 20, 3-4 p.m.
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Weeds? Tuesday, October 27, 2-3 p.m. Discover local plants, such purslane, chickweed, dandelion, St. John's Wort, and plantain, that can be foraged for food or herbal applications.
For kids:
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Fun Friday Storytime with Miss Julie, October 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 10-10:45 a.m. Registration opens one week prior to the program.
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Music and Movement, Mondays, October 5, 19, and 26, 10-11 a.m.
For everyone:
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Pumpkin Bedazzling, Friday, October 30, 1-3 p.m. Bring the spooky sparkle to your fall decor and bedazzle some plastic pumpkins! All supplies are included in this free arts and crafts activity.
| | Friends of the Cotuit Library | |
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Many thanks to our new and renewing members, who make it possible for us to provide the Cotuit Library with many nice-to-haves that cannot be funded in the annual Library budget. Beyond the $10,000 the Friends contribute to the annual budget, we also fund discount museum passes, virtual author talks, additional copies of Libby books, and more. If you aren’t yet a member, learn more and join the Friends.
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On Thursday, October 22, join us for a Fireside Chat with Mike Richard, sports writer, historian, and co-editor of Cape Cod Baseball League: From College Stars to Big League Futures. Hear about the history, personalities, and stories behind the beloved Cape Cod Baseball League. 4-5 p.m. at the Library. Registration required.
| | Historical Society of Santuit & Cotuit | | |
- On Thursday, October 1, the Historical Book Club discusses The CIA Book Club: the Secret Mission to Win the Cold War with Forbidden Literature, by Charlie English. 6 p.m. at the Cotuit Library.
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At Fall Fest on Saturday, October 3, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., the Yarmouth Minute Men will be onsite, along with pies for sale, hearth-cooking and fly-tying demonstrations, and lawn games. And for the kids, craft projects and a scavenger hunt.
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In Cotuit Chronicles, researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and University of Massachusetts Dartmouth present “Whaling Captain’s Logs: An Historical Treasure Chest,” about how wind, current, and weather information in more than 4,200 logbooks from New England whaling vessels can help us manage our weather in the future. Thursday, October 15, 7 p.m. at the Cotuit Library.
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Spirits Among the Stones: A walk through Cotuit’s Mosswood cemetery, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, October 24. Cotuit’s cemetery comes alive with stories of the past! The hour-long tour is followed by cider and doughnuts. $20/$15 members/$10 under 12. Reservations required; email info@cotuithistoricalsociety.org. Park in the cemetery lot on the west side of Putnam Avenue.
- The Museums and Gift Shop are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday-Sunday.
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Families & Politics workshop, Thursday, October 1, 6-8:30 p.m. Family relationships are becoming casualties of our toxic polarized environment. If you want to preserve important family bonds while still being true to your values and political beliefs, this Braver Angels workshop is for you. Please RSVP: Families & Politics, a Braver Angels Conversation.
- Blessing of the Animals, Sunday, October 4, 4 p.m. Bring your animal (or if they are skittish, a picture of your animal) to the new church steps facing Cotuit Memorial Park for a special blessing of all creatures.
- Fall rummage sale on Friday and Saturday, October 9 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and 10 (9 a.m. to noon). Donations accepted Monday and Tuesday, October 5 (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and 6 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Please don’t leave donations in the Church parking lot. Fall and winter clothing, toys, books, jewelry, kitchen and household items, and some small furniture are welcomed. Please be sure donations are clean and in working order, with no rips, stains, or missing parts. Unable to accept electronics and large exercise equipment.
| | St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church | | | Saturday Vespers, 5 p.m.; Sunday Orthros, 9 a.m.; Sunday Liturgy, 10 a.m., followed by potluck coffee hour. | | Cahoon Museum of American Art | | |
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Fall Open House and Artist Reception for Julia Cumes and Lipe Borges, October 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. A festive day at the museum filled with art, family activities, and special celebrations! From 1-3 p.m., meet artists Julia Cumes and Lipe Borges. Free admission.
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Gelliprinting Workshop, October 14, 1-4 p.m. Learn a printmaking process that does not require a press. Combine materials to explore textures and layers in your finished prints. Materials are provided. $65/$55 members.
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Evening with Julia Cumes and Lipe Borges, October 22, 5-6:30 p.m. A special evening celebrating exhibiting artists Julia Cumes and Lipe Borges and their work in the exhibition Julia Cumes: Invisible Threads: Portraits and Stories of Our Global Neighbors. $35/$25 members.
| | Cotuit Bird and Garden Club | | The Cotuit Bird & Garden Club holds its final event of this year on Wednesday, October 14, 10:30 a.m. at the Cotuit Library. Natasha from Secret Gardens Estate Care in Marstons Mills will share her expertise on maintaining our gardens through fall and winter: what we should be planting now, how to prune hydrangeas and roses, and more. Everyone is welcome. Call Joanne Miller with any questions, 508-524-1817. | Hey Kettleers fans! It was a challenging but ultimately rewarding season for the team, who pulled out a thrilling walk-off win in their last regular season game to help clinch a playoff spot. Coach Rob Cooper’s positivity, attitude, relationship-building and community engagement were exemplary, and we look forward to the Coach and his staff returning next year to build on the foundation they laid in 2026. | Looking to 2027, providing housing for players and interns is a continuing priority, so if you can consider becoming a host family and building relationships with some terrific young adults, visit capecodleague.com/cotuit/housing for more information and next steps. | | Cape Cod Ballroom Dancers | | | CCBD hosts Denim and Diamonds, a casual dance, on Saturday, October 17, at the Cotuit Federated Church from 6:15-9:30 p.m. Singles, couples, beginners welcome. Hustle lesson begins at 6:30 p.m. $15/ $10 for CCBD or USA Dance members. Wear denim and/or diamonds for an extra door prize ticket! | |
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Cuteness overload: The Cotuit Nursery School students will be holding their annual Halloween costume parade through Memorial Park on Thursday, October 29, starting at 11:30 a.m.
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Cotuit Nursery School is accepting registrations for the 2026-2027 school year, offering a half-day program Monday through Thursday for students aged 2.9 to 5. Two- three, and four-day options are available. Call 508-428-1470 or email cotuitnurseryschool@yahoo.com for more information or to schedule a tour.
| | CCA invites Cotuit families to an Admissions Open House on Saturday, October 3, at 9 a.m. Families of students entering grades K-12 can meet faculty and staff, tour the 44-acre campus, and learn about the school’s programs, curriculum, extracurricular activities, and personalized approach to learning. If you’d prefer to visit at another time, contact the admissions team at 508-428-5400 or admissions@capecodacademy.org to set up a tour. | | | | |
