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Barnstable's Future: Why REEF Builders Urges Town Council to Reject the Stretch Energy Code

Posted by REEF Cape Cod's Home Builder on Mon, Oct 06, 2025

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Barnstable stands at a crossroads. The proposal to adopt the state’s Green Communities Act and the associated Stretch Energy Code has sparked a vital debate about sustainability, affordability, and local control. At REEF Builders, we are deeply committed to both responsible building and the economic health of our community. That's why our president, Matthew K. Teague, recently submitted a letter to the Barnstable Town Council, respectfully urging them not to adopt these measures at this time.

While these programs are promoted with the best intentions—to achieve sustainability and energy savings—they carry significant economic and equity risks that could negatively affect every Barnstable resident.

Here is a summary of the core concerns REEF Builders has raised:

1. The Cost to Consumers is Too High

Massachusetts already has some of the highest electricity costs in the nation. The Stretch Energy Code essentially pushes communities toward mandatory all-electric heating and cooling.

  • Higher Utility Bills: Forcing a switch from natural gas or propane to electricity for heating and cooling will likely raise monthly utility bills, especially when electric heat pumps perform less efficiently in cold weather.
  • Impact on Vulnerable Residents: Families already struggling with costs, as well as seniors and fixed-income residents, will be hit hardest by sharp increases in winter electric bills.

2. Restricting Energy Choice is Not Best for Cape Cod

Our region's climate and diverse housing stock demand flexibility.

  • Mandatory Electrification: The code restricts the ability of residents and builders to choose among natural gas, propane, or hybrid systems.
  • The Right to Choose: Homeowners should retain the right to select the energy system that best fits their specific needs and budget, rather than being forced into a single, state-dictated option.

3. State Cost Models Are Wildly Unrealistic

The state's Decarbonization Roadmap, upon which these mandates are based, severely underestimates the true cost of conversion.

  • Heat Pump Costs: The roadmap assumes a full home heat pump conversion costs about $7,500, yet typical Massachusetts installations often run $20,000 to $25,000 or more.
  • Retrofit Costs: Deep-energy retrofits are estimated at $20,000 in state models, but pilot programs have found real costs exceeding $120,000 per home.
  • Staggering Total Cost: If two-thirds of the state’s 3 million homes were upgraded, the total cost could reach $240 billion, requiring $20 billion annually in investment for decades.

Barnstable should not tie its future to programs founded on such unrealistic "wishful accounting".

4. Loss of Local Control

Perhaps the greatest long-term financial risk is the loss of local autonomy.

  • Future Mandates: Once Barnstable adopts the Stretch Energy Code, it automatically accepts all future state amendments without any further local vote.
  • Unelected Bureaucrats: This effectively transfers authority from our local representatives to unelected bureaucrats at the Department of Energy Resources. Future, even costlier, electrification mandates could be imposed without Barnstable having a say.

California's Warning on Housing Affordability

Even California, a national leader in green building policy, recently recognized the economic danger of over-regulation. The state halted new local energy code mandates because stricter rules were worsening the housing affordability crisis. “Mass. decarbonization roadmap radically underestimates costs.” (CommonWealth Beacon, 2023)

Barnstable is grappling with its own affordability challenges and cannot afford to follow a path that the most climate-progressive state has already concluded is unsustainable.

A Better Path for Barnstable

Sustainability and affordability can coexist, but it requires Barnstable to maintain control of its own policies. Instead of rigid, top-down state mandates, the Town Council should pursue voluntary, incentive-based local approaches, such as:

  • Local weatherization and efficiency programs.
  • Rebates or loans for renewable energy adoption.
  • Targeted assistance for low-income or senior homeowners.

Before making an irreversible decision, Barnstable should commission an independent cost-benefit analysis specific to our town’s housing stock, incomes, and energy prices.

We at REEF Builders believe that preserving local flexibility and prioritizing consumer affordability is the best path forward for Barnstable. We urge the Town Council to reject these mandates and seek solutions that truly benefit all our residents.

Next BARNSTABLE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING October 09, 2025 6:00 pm 


This blog post is based on the concerns outlined in the letter to the Barnstable Town Council from Matthew K. Teague, President of REEF Ltd., dated October 6, 2025.

 

Tags: Building Costs, Cape Cod Design Build, Barnstable, Building Permits, energy code, stretch energy code, Town Council

Buying Land on Cape Cod

Posted by REEF Builders on Tue, Jan 26, 2021

2020 was one crazy year for real estate on Cape Cod, with a frenzy of activity from April until December due to the pandemic.  Now that the dust has settled a bit, existing for sale  home inventory is at an historic low, and we now have many clients looking for raw land to build on here on the Cape.  For many, purchasing vacant land can be a daunting experience, especially when you consider the multiple regulatory layers involved in even the most simple building project.  

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There are always several questions people ask us when they are considering a land purchase here are some of the most common:

  1.  Is the property "buildable"?
  2. Do I need to get a perc test?
  3. How long does it take to get a building permit?
  4. Do I need to get a building permit before I buy the property?
  5. How long does it take to build a new home?
  6. How much does it cost to build a new home?

In response to these questions, we have put together a guide to buying land on Cape Cod which you can download here:   Guide to Buying Land on Cape Cod

After you have found your ideal piece of property to build on, and before you make an offer we would highly recommend downloading our cost guide:  Cape Cod Construction Cost Guide

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All too often we have potential building customers contact us after they have purchased a vacant parcel of land only to find out they can't afford to build their dream home, or even worse, that the property they purchased is in fact not buildable!   If you are considering purchasing land on Cape Cod and you want to work with a true team of building and real estate professionals for your purchase, REEF can provide exclusive property search and buyer representation for your purchase. 

Here's a look at the current land for sale on Cape Cod today!: Cape Cod Land Search

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Tags: construction costs on cape cod, Land Cape cod, Building Permits, Lots

Custom Home Size Restrictions Might be Coming to Truro!

Posted by REEF Custom Homes on Thu, Apr 27, 2017

If you are considering building a new custom home in Truro, then you will definitely want to pay attention to the changes being proposed in the town right now. There are two proposals pending to restrict future home sizes in both the Seashore and Residential Districts within the town. These are most likely a reaction to the infamous Kline house which was the subject of several law suits over the last few years.

These new restrictions will definitely impact future design and home construction in the town of Truro if adopted.

 

Click below for more information

Proposed Zoning Restrictions- Truro

Here's a home we finished last year in Truro we'll see if it can be built again?

If you are considering designing and building your new custom hom in Truro or anywhere on Cape Cod, please Contact Us Today!

 

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Tags: Building Permits, truro, regulations

Avoid Building Permit Headaches for your Cape Cod Home

Posted by Matthew Teague on Fri, Nov 16, 2012

   Permitting can be a tricky and complicated process, full of numerous regulatory hurdles.  It becomes especially complicated if you hire someone to do Remodeling or Renovation work and they are unlicensed, or fail to properly document the permit with the local building department.  Given the fact that the building, energy, and mechanical codes have changed several times over the last 5 years, we cannot stress the importance of having your project properly permitted.  There are still many contractors on Cape Cod who will bid on a project, and then ask the homeowner to obtain their own permit. This is a huge red flag and indicates one of the following problems:

- The contractor is not licensed do do the work

- The contractor does not have workman's compensation insurance

-The contractor has lost his license for violations reported to the state

In Massachusetts, the law is very clear about doing any work in a home, and basically, unless you are re-painting, you need to obtain a permit for most work.  So if you would like your next  Remodeling, Renovation, or New Home project to be done right, and you don't want to worry about permits, hire a licensed, reputable contractor, and please check their references.

Here is an article from the Wall Street Journal about permitting mistakes: Avoiding Pitfalls of Remodeling Permits.  We have also put together a guide for hiring a general contractor that provides a checklist of things you should be looking for when you hire a contractor, click below to download:

Click me

Tags: Building Permits, Hiring a Contractor

New Home Construction on the Rise

Posted by Matthew Teague on Thu, Oct 18, 2012

   The Commerce Department released it's September statistics for new home starts and building permit activities.  New Home construction was up 15% from August, and building permits are rising at the same level.  The level of activity in September signifies an 82.5% increase from all time lows seen in 2009! So what does this mean for your New Home, Renovation, or Remodeling project on Cape Cod? Well it means demand for qualified and experienced contracting services is on the rise, and that material prices will be on the move as well.  Since last year at this time, REEF has witnessed an 8% increase in construction materials prices for the average home.  So if you have been thinking of Building, Remodeling or Renovating on Cape Cod, now is a great time to start and take advantage of still low costs and low interest rates! Here is the full article from Yahoo Finance: Construction Starts Up

If you are thinking of starting your project click here to see how we can help: Click me

 

New Homes Cape Cod

Tags: cape cod homes, building on cape cod, Building Permits

Buying Land on Cape Cod

Posted by Matthew Teague on Tue, Sep 18, 2012

  Buying a lot or land on Cape Cod is still a realistic option for many of our customers.  There are still several reasonably priced parcels left on the Cape, and building a new home can afford a customer the ability to design a home that exactly suits their needs.  However, there are many issues that must be addressed before the purchase. Here are just a few:

  • Site Plans / Perc Test
  • House Design and Engineering
  • Historic / Conservation and other approvals
  • Building Permits

   Partnering with a reputable and experienced design/build firm can make this process predictable and provide the customer with some assurance that in fact the home desired can be built on the chosen lot.  Custom Homes can provide the flexibility in design and appearance that many customers desire, but without proper planning, the permitting can become an arduous process.

REEF, Cape Cod's Home Builder has developed a critical planning guide for customers planning New Homes and Renovation projects on Cape Cod.  Click Below to download the guide:

Click me

 

New Cape Cod Homes

Tags: permitting, Building Permits, buying land

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