Barnstable County Commissioners Take Action on Funding Changes That Threaten Cape Cod’s Wastewater Projects
Renew Arts Foundation’s Regional Designation, Review PFAS Remediation Efforts and Key Findings from the Regional CSEC Report 2024
February 26, 2025 (BARNSTABLE, MA)– At today’s meeting of the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners the Commissioners discussed opposition to proposed changes in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), updates on child sexual exploitation cases from the Regional CSEC Report 2024, progress on PFAS remediation efforts, and the re-designation of the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod as the Regional Arts Agency.
Barnstable County Commissioners Oppose Clean Water Fund Changes
Cape Cod’s unique environmental landscape depends on responsible wastewater management to protect its water quality, marine life, and local economy. TheClean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is a critical source of financing for municipal wastewater infrastructure, helping towns upgrade outdated systems and reduce nitrogen pollution that threatens Cape Cod’s bays and estuaries. Today, Andrew Gottlieb, Executive Director of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC), addressed the Barnstable County Commissioners regarding proposed changes to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Intended Use Plan and their potential impact on Cape Cod municipalities. The Commissioners oppose these changes, which include:
- A $50 million annual cap per town on state revolving fund loans, which could delay or prevent large-scale wastewater projects that require consistent funding over multiple years.
- The elimination of guaranteed multi-year funding, meaning towns must reapply for financing each year rather than securing long-term commitments. This uncertainty complicates project planning, affects voter confidence, and may stall essential infrastructure improvements.
Mr. Gottlieb emphasized that these unexpected rule changes undermine Cape Cod communities’ ability to move forward with wastewater management efforts and access 25% principal forgiveness through the Cape & Islands Water Protection Fund. He urged the Commissioners to submit formal opposition during the public comment period and join other Cape communities in pushing for a return to the previous funding structure.
To address long-term funding shortages, APCC has proposed a $500 million state bond authorization, which could expand financing capacity for water infrastructure projects. The Commissioners voted to approve a resolution opposing the CWSRF changes and to submit a letter to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) advocating for a reversal of these policies. Several Cape Cod towns have already written to the Governor and DEP, voicing strong opposition.
The Commissioners agreed that state and municipal collaboration is crucial to maintaining the viability of wastewater infrastructure funding and authorized a resolution in opposition to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan and execution of a letter to Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Heiple stating their opposition.
Addressing the Growing Crisis of Child Exploitation: Key Findings from the Regional CSEC Report 2024
Jacob Stapledon, Community Engagement and Education Program Manager at Children’s Cove, a department of Barnstable County, presented key findings from the Regional Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Report 2024. Children’s Cove is a Child Advocacy Center (CAC), a facility that provides a coordinated, victim-centered response for children who have experienced abuse or exploitation.
Mr. Stapledon highlighted the growing crisis of child sexual exploitation in Southeastern Massachusetts, reporting that referrals to CACs increased by 46% in 2024, impacting 471 children—more than half of whom were victims of online exploitation. The report emphasized that child exploitation is not confined to urban areas but occurs within local communities, often in victims’ homes. Artificial intelligence has exacerbated the issue, with deepfake technology being used to manipulate children’s images, alongside rising concerns about revenge porn and peer-to-peer exploitation. A major misconception addressed in the report is that victims will report their abuse—90% do not disclose due to fear and lack of understanding. The report calls for increased community awareness, parental involvement, and proactive reporting of suspected cases.
Mr. Stapledon also detailed the CAPE Emergency Response Protocol (CERT), a structured approach for coordinating an immediate 24/7 joint response to cases of child abuse and exploitation. This protocol involves Law Enforcement, the Department of Children & Families (DCF), the District Attorney’s Office, and Children’s Cove to ensure rapid intervention. CERT criteria include cases of sexual abuse reported within 72 hours, situations where critical evidence may be lost, and cases involving child exploitation. For physical abuse, CERT is activated in severe injury cases, including brain damage or life-threatening harm. When CERT is triggered, DCF and law enforcement coordinate forensic interviews with Children’s Cove, ensuring a victim-centered response. The presentation reinforced the importance of early intervention, collaboration among agencies, and proactive community engagement in addressing these growing concerns.
Barnstable County Advances PFAS Remediation Efforts at Former Fire Training Site
Paul Ruszala, P.E., Barnstable County’s Assets and Infrastructure Manager, along with environmental experts from GZA GeoEnvironmental, John Paquin, P.G. and David Leone, LSP, provided an update on PFAS remediation efforts at the former municipal fire training site. GZA GeoEnvironmental is actively analyzing groundwater flow to track PFAS migration, utilizing geophysical surveys and numerical modeling to understand its movement, which primarily heads southeast toward Mary Dunn Pond and nearby drinking water wells. To mitigate contamination, a Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB) system is being implemented, injecting powdered carbon underground to trap PFAS and prevent further spread. Additionally, the efficiency of the current pump and treat system is under review to optimize cost and effectiveness.
Further investigations are underway, including installing additional monitoring wells, collecting soil samples, and conducting ecological assessments to evaluate environmental impact. A $4 million ARPA grant has been allocated for the PRB system, while future cleanup costs are estimated to be between $10 million and $60 million. Discussions are ongoing regarding cost-sharing among responsible parties to ensure financial responsibility is fairly distributed.
Next steps involve refining remediation strategies based on continued data collection and modeling, implementing the PRB system, and maintaining collaboration with regulatory agencies and municipalities to manage the site and prevent further contamination.
Barnstable County Renews Arts Foundation’s Regional Designation, Securing Federal Funding Opportunities
The Barnstable County Commissioners unanimously re-designated the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod as the Regional Arts Agency for March 2025–March 2026, a designation granted annually since 2021. Chris Azarian, Director of Grants and Communications, highlighted that this status has helped secure $220,000 in federal funding since 2021, supporting COVID recovery, artist grants, and community projects. Recent initiatives include therapeutic drumming for individuals with disabilities and a documentary on Asian experiences on Cape Cod. The designation enables the Foundation to apply for additional NEA funding, which has previously positioned it as the only local arts agency in Massachusetts to receive such grants.
About Barnstable County Regional Government of Cape Cod
Barnstable County provides exemplary government functions and services to keep our community healthy and safe, promote sustainable growth, and offer a proactive, open government that enhances the quality of life for the citizens of Barnstable County. Learn more at www.capecod.gov.
Media Contact: Sonja Sheasley. Communications Coordinator | (508) 375-6896 | sonja.sheasley@capecod.gov
For Children’s Cove-related inquiries:
Jacob Stapledon
Community Engagement and Education Program Manager, Children’s Cove
Jacob.stapledon@childrenscove.org | | 508-375-0410
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