Town natural resources staff report new Brant Point weather station online and seek funding for Cape & Islands shellfish work

At the board’s Jan. 20 meeting Tara Riley, the town’s natural resources coordinator, reported that a new weather station has been installed at Brant Point and is online. Riley said the data stream currently uses a long public link; town IT will add a public-facing button on the town website to make the information accessible.

Riley summarized staffing actions: seven candidates have been interviewed in a first round for a water‑quality specialist and a second round of interviews is expected, seasonal hatchery positions were posted for the summer season and a vacancy for an endangered-species monitor will be advertised. Broodstock were moved into the hatchery as the town begins production for the season.

Riley also said the Natural Resources Department and partner groups (Barnstable County Extension and the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group) are coordinating to pursue state funding for the Cape & Islands that would total roughly $150,000 and be split among partners. She said staff will likely return to the board with a request for a letter of support once a path forward is determined.

Riley asked members to expect a presentation of eelgrass management plan priorities at the next meeting and said staff will prepare short‑ and long‑term planning material for 2026.