Leadership You Can Trust
Kris Clark has lived in West Barnstable for over 30 years
Kris was employed by Barnstable Harbor’s Beach Point Oysters as a Shellfish Farm Assistant until retiring from commercial shellfishing to pursue her role as Town Councilor. Kris is the former Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Shellfish Manager (2009 – 2016). In that capacity she developed and implemented a start-up business plan for the tribe’s for-profit oyster farm.
Here are some highlights of her life here in West Barnstable (Resident since 1983).
Town of Barnstable, Marine and Environmental Affairs Department
Shellfish Propagation Technician/ Deputy Shellfish Constable, (1996 – 2009)
- Managed shellfish propagation projects
- Initiated the popular Learn to Shellfish Series: “Clamming Class for Kids”
- Organized a 100+ volunteer labor force for the shellfish propagation programs
- Planned and hosted the televised annual Town of Barnstable Shellfish Forum
- Initiated, wrote, and edited a series of the Shellfish Newsletter three times a year for the Marine and Environmental Affairs Division
West Barnstable Water Commissioner
Kris was appointed in 2015, then twice elected (2016, 2019, 2022). The three member commission meets periodically to discuss and evaluate issues that relate to drinking water quality in the West Barnstable Water District. She has served as the clerk since Sept. 2014.
Town of Barnstable Boards & Committees:
- Land Acquisition & Preservation Committee: Member since 2005, Chairperson (2010 – 2016)
- Open Space Committee: Clerk (1999 – 2004)
- Shellfish Committee: Clerk (1995 – 1996)
- Shellfish Task Force (precursor to the Shellfish Committee): Clerk (1991 – 1995)
- Barnstable Land Trust (BLT): Member since 1988, Board of Directors (1992 – 1998)
- Our Lady of Hope Church: Organist (1982 – 2010)
- West Barnstable Festival Committee: Member since 1996, Co-Chair (1997-1999), Chair (1999 – 2017), Clerk (2017 – present)
- West Barnstable Civic Association: Member since 2001, Recording Secretary (2001 – 2006), President (2006 – 2009)
- River Day Planning Committee: Originator and Coordinator (1997- 2009)
- Cape Cod Conservation District: Board of Supervisors (2018 – present)
Public Service Awards and Recognition
2004 West Barnstable Citizen of the Year
- Awarded to Kris for her many years volunteering and driving the annual West Barnstable Spaghetti Supper and Village Festival
2012 Barnstable Land Trust Founders’ Award
- For embodying the spirit of environmental stewardship and community activism
2008 APCC Environmental Champion
- Awarded for River Day stewardship, Shellfish advocacy, Open Space work in the Town of Barnstable
2009 Red Cross Hero: Adult Mentor (Cape-wide)
- Nominated for environmental and community leadership
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Massachusetts Aquaculture Association: Member 2010-2021, Trustee and Clerk (2010 – 2016)
Native Land Conservancy: Founding member & advisor (2013 – 2021)
Massachusetts Shellfish Officer’s Association: Clerk (2005 – 2009)