Barnstable County Commissioners Support High-Impact Environmental Initiatives
March 26, 2025 (BARNSTABLE, MA) – At this morning’s meeting, the Barnstable County Commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter to Governor Healey and the Massachusetts General Court urging significant funding for Cape Cod in the upcoming Environmental Bond Bill. As the region’s need for wastewater and environmental infrastructure continues to grow, Commissioners called for a $500 million allocation to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. They also heard presentations on several related initiatives, including a regional compost facility study and the expansion of the County’s clean water research center, and voted to support a local anti-litter campaign.
Commissioners Urge State Leaders to Prioritize Cape Projects in Environmental Bond Bill
The region’s need for environmental and wastewater infrastructure funding has steadily increased, and the Commissioners are calling for a proposed $500 million allocation to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. This investment would ensure that Cape towns can continue accessing low-interest loans—critical for unlocking 25% loan forgiveness through the Cape & Islands Water Protection Fund. Without new state investment beginning in 2026, this support could be at risk.
The Commissioners were joined by regional leaders in their call for action, including Andrew Gottlieb of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, Mark Ells of the Town of Barnstable, and Kristi Senatori, Executive Director of the Cape Cod Commission. All emphasized the urgency of a unified regional message to protect access to funding.
While the primary focus of the letter will be wastewater infrastructure, Commissioners also expressed interest in including language in support of freshwater monitoring, especially in light of recent federal funding cuts. County Administrator Michael Dutton will work with regional partners to draft the letter for final review.
Commissioners Review Feasibility Study for Regional Composting Facility
Barnstable County Commissioners recently reviewed the final draft feasibility study for the proposed Coastal Community Compost Facility. Presented by Kari Parcell, Municipal Assistance Coordinator, and Greg McCarron of SCS Engineers, the study responds to Cape Cod’s limited composting infrastructure. Food scraps and organic waste currently make up about 36% of the region’s waste stream, much of which is shipped out of state. The proposed facility at Joint Base Cape Cod would serve Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, Sandwich, and the base itself, processing 5,000 tons of food waste and 7,000 tons of wood chips or leaves annually to create high-quality compost for municipal and retail use. “Cape Cod is a composting desert,” said Parcell. “We’re sending valuable resources—food scraps and organics—out of state to landfills or incinerators, when we could be using them right here on the Cape.”
The study recommends an aerated static pile system with Gore covers to minimize odor and bird activity–important for operating near a military airfield. Two potential base sites were evaluated, with one preferred for its size and fewer environmental constraints. Estimated costs range from $3 million for a proof-of-concept model to $4 million for a permanent facility, with the potential for grant funding. A public-private partnership model is under consideration, and officials from local towns and the base expressed strong support. Outreach and education will be essential to increasing participation and keeping more food waste out of landfills. Commissioners welcomed the findings and expressed strong interest in the project’s potential, signaling support for continued planning and exploration of the next steps.
Clean Water Center Expansion at MASSTC Showcased to County Commissioners
Commissioners received an in-depth presentation on the development of a new clean water facility being constructed as an expansion of the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASSTC), a division of the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment. Wastewater Division Director Brian Baumgaertel outlined the facility’s role in advancing wastewater treatment research and innovation across Cape Cod, and noted that the facility’s location on the southeastern edge of Joint Base Cape Cod in Sandwich allows for testing of actual wastewater in a realistic contest. Funding for the center’s expansion is supported by a grant from the Innovation Institute at the Mass Tech Collaborative, made possible by a match of County ARPA funds. The center will include new conference, office, and laboratory spaces to support collaboration among researchers, private companies, and educational institutions. A grand opening is anticipated this spring.
Baumgaertel described the center’s purpose as helping Cape Cod meet urgent wastewater challenges through applied science, research, and regional cooperation. “Our mission is to support clean water by incubating emergent clean water technology and verifying technology performance, advancing scientific knowledge of the water environment,” he said. Commissioners also discussed a proposed name and branding for the facility but postponed a final decision to allow more time for consideration.
County Endorses Falmouth’s Anti-Litter Effort to Support Cleaner Communities
County Commissioners voted to formally endorse the Town of Falmouth’s anti-litter campaign, recognizing it as a model for regional collaboration and grassroots environmental action. Led by the group Litter Free Falmouth and supported by the Cape Cod Anti-Litter Coalition, the campaign has already made measurable progress—removing more than 2,000 bags of trash from local roadsides since 2021 and cutting the presence of discarded nip bottles from 33% of all litter items to just 5% following a successful local ban. “Our goal is a litter-free Falmouth—and to go out of business because there’s nothing left to pick up,” said Alan Robinson, who presented the initiative to the Board. Commissioners expressed strong support for expanding the campaign across Cape Cod, offering to help amplify the message through county communication channels and regional outreach.
