Cape Cod Moves Toward Coordinated Wildfire Readiness Across All 15 Towns
Commissioners also hear PFAS remediation update, expand food rescue efforts, strengthen support for SNAP beneficiaries, and reviews FY27 budget statements
November 19, 2025 (Barnstable, MA) — The Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners met this morning and approved actions that will shape regional public safety and community services, including coordinated wildfire planning across all 15 towns, continued progress on PFAS remediation, expanded food rescue efforts, strengthened support for SNAP beneficiaries, and reviewed the Administrator’s FY27 statements for the capital and operating budgets.
Cape Cod Strengthens Wildfire Preparedness with New Regional Planning Effort
Barnstable County announced the launch of an updated wildfire planning initiative across all 15 Cape Cod towns, supported by nearly $199,500 in new funding, including $45,000 from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The project will modernize wildfire preparedness before a major incident occurs and better protect residents, homes, and natural resources.
The initiative replaces decades-old wildfire plans with a coordinated regional strategy that reflects current conditions — including more frequent droughts, increased forest fuel loads, and the expansion of housing into wooded areas. Each town will participate in a public planning process to map high-risk areas and identify the mitigation strategies that will have the greatest impact. Once plans are finalized, Barnstable County will pursue implementation funding on behalf of the towns.
Harwich Fire Chief David LeBlanc, Vice President of the Cape and Islands Fire Chiefs Association, underscored the urgency of the work, saying, “No single town can tackle wildfire risk alone. This effort brings every fire department, every key agency, and every town on Cape Cod to the same table — with the same goal of keeping residents safe.” Cooperative Extension Director Michael Maguire added, “This initiative reflects what Cape Cod does best — collaborate. Every major partner in wildfire readiness is committed to this work, and the community will see the benefit of that coordination.”
PFAS Remediation Progress at Former Municipal Fire Training Facility
County Assets and Infrastructure Manager Paul Ruszala, joined by consultants from GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. and GHD, presented a detailed update on PFAS response actions at the former Municipal Fire Training Facility. The team described how the project is being carried out under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan with a regional, science-based approach and ongoing coordination with MassDEP, USGS, the Town of Barnstable, Hyannis civic groups, and other stakeholders.
Recent investigation work includes installation of 16 additional multi-level groundwater monitoring wells to the lower confining clay layer, instrumentation of adjacent kettle ponds, and development of a refined groundwater flow model tied into the USGS Cape-wide model. This work has helped further define the PFAS plume associated with the former training facility, as the County continues to work with MassDEP on determining how far the disposal site boundary must extend.
Consultants reported very low ecological risk based on extensive sampling, and a preliminary human health risk assessment indicated favorable results due to existing wellhead treatment. A full-scale Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB) was installed between July and October 2025 following a successful pilot that reduced PFAS concentrations to very low or non-detect levels. Twenty-seven performance verification wells are now in place, and the first round of full-scale monitoring is scheduled for January 2026. The County is restoring the existing pump-and-treat system and will evaluate — with MassDEP — whether it can eventually be retired if PRB effectiveness is confirmed.
MassDEP Awards $90,000 Grant to Expand Cape Cod Food Rescue Network
Cooperative Extension Director Michael Maguire announced that Barnstable County has received a $90,000 Sustainable Materials Recovery Program grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) — the largest award in the applicant pool. The funding will expand regional food rescue operations to ensure surplus edible food from wholesale distributors, restaurants, and grocery stores is delivered quickly to residents in need rather than being discarded.
The expanded initiative strengthens the regional food rescue network and will support development of an online food recovery portal, coordinated operations led by the Cape Cod Council of Churches, and business and volunteer outreach and training. Commissioner Sheila Lyons, Chair of the Board of Regional Commissioners, noted, “This program ensures that perfectly good food reaches the people in our community who need it most.”
Board Action on SNAP Resolution
The Board voted to approve and execute a revised resolution supporting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for Barnstable County, adding language that recognizes the economic pressures facing low-income households and the more than 22,000 residents who rely on SNAP for consistent access to food. The revision reaffirms the County’s support for ongoing federal nutrition assistance and the local partners who help residents navigate enrollment and benefits.
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Statement
County Administrator Michael Dutton delivered the initial Fiscal Year 2027 Operating and Capital Budget Statements, which the Board approved after a discussion that focused on safeguarding the County’s long-term financial resilience and regional stewardship. Dutton noted that FY27 will require disciplined management as the County works to maintain a structurally balanced budget amid revenue volatility and rising costs. He outlined plans to phase in staffing reductions through attrition rather than layoffs, consolidate decentralized technology purchasing, realign departments to better support County programs and town services, and continue investment in major regional initiatives including the Clean Water Center and the AquiFund loan program. Commissioners described the FY27 documents as the most comprehensive budget framework to date.
Board Votes to Advance Registry of Deeds Basement Renovation Funding Request
The Board voted to introduce Proposed Ordinance 26-XX to the Assembly of Delegates, moving forward a $170,400 supplemental budget request to renovate 3,000 square feet in the Registry of Deeds basement to provide temporary office space during the Superior Courthouse renovation and permanent space for the IT Department. County Administrator Michael Dutton and Mr. Ruszala noted that the renovation is necessary to accommodate both the courthouse relocation and the IT Department’s upcoming move from the Sheriff-owned Innovation Building and will convert under-utilized space into functional offices that support County operations and align with the County’s facilities master plan.
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 offers a proactive, open government that enhances the quality of life for the citizens of Barnstable County. Learn more at www.capecod.gov.
