[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6308389,"mediaKeyId","2423270-88cfd6996cd805af9e00b7d5fb35911c","parentId",2423270,"title","County commissioners authorize resolution opposing DEP changes to SRF intended-use plan","audioSeconds",927,"startMs",149000,"endMs",1076000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2423270-88cfd6996cd805af9e00b7d5fb35911c&start=149&end=1076","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2423270-88cfd6996cd805af9e00b7d5fb35911c/thumbnail_149000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6308389/Barnstable-County/Massachusetts/County-commissioners-authorize-resolution-opposing-DEP-changes-to-SRF-intended-use-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308389-fbf70ef2a4abe1f966bc4f5fb5be6142/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205702&Signature=Rv9oQMdBWryX0UqqKR3fGq-n8QRvKTVfoZUJsawMowURXbbQ6hpAIEGspsIhCZCc1IAldciaNBiaDdcc4e1qApKozgMHV~U8uEW8mg9oPUzH0uONkyBzP8~dAvmQyFfQRFRFLyM~W8QQ4kLId9XsLZQsgeN~-RtxI0FrKqr74LKaUc7XO-ennw61AaiyduiYMvijpppQbjxblWJr99TEWIR-fi7uy3fkwjfMonQ4OKQnxAwAMVq-ohktDgacwwt0HlRSlCqiQoCB7w4pjRBK88rUJ-dDNMFCKSqW8wGJvK8gfIaAxbF3vZmH2zjaM~YmFsma7BGrl-9pLlwu8U66lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Barnstable County, MA","date","2025-02-27T05:26:55Z","article","Barnstable County commissioners on Feb. 25 authorized a resolution and a letter to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection opposing proposed language in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) intended‑use plan that would limit annual borrower awards and change the treatment of multi‑year projects.

Andrew Gottlieb of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC) told commissioners the SRF intended‑use plan has traditionally been a largely ministerial document that lists projects eligible for low‑interest loans and determines eligibility for Cape Cod’s 25 percent principal forgiveness from the Cape Cod Water Protection Fund. Gottlieb said two previously undisclosed changes in the 2025 draft are especially significant: an annual borrower limit of $50 million and a requirement that multi‑year project financing be applied for year‑by‑year rather than preserved across years.

Gottlieb said the borrower cap and change to year‑by‑year financing will make it harder for Cape Cod towns to present clear multi‑year financing plans, undermining voter support for large wastewater projects that rely on those financing assurances. He urged the commissioners to submit comments at the public hearing and to request that the SRF intended‑use plan revert to the terms used in the 2024 list. Gottlieb also said APCC has proposed the governor include a $500 million authorization in a draft environmental bond (allocated in $100 million annual amounts) that could strengthen SRF capacity in future years.

The change to a $50 million annual borrower limit, Gottlieb said, “can get eaten up pretty quickly,” particularly for Cape projects that include treatment plants and sewer laterals. He described the 30‑day comment period in which DEP will finalize the list after a public hearing on March 3 and asked the county to join other local governments and organizations in opposing the rule change.

Commissioners raised concerns about the timing of the changes and their effect on ongoing town financing and voter information. Commissioner comments emphasized seeking a regulatory rollback to the 2024 approach, participating in the DEP hearing, and coordinating county and town comments to press the state for additional long‑term funding. Commissioner Bergstrom and others noted the need for state partnership and urged pursuing the proposed bond or other statewide measures to expand financing capacity.

The commissioners voted to “authorize the proposed resolution ____ opposing the Clean Water State Revolving Fund intended use plan language and execute a letter to the Department of Environmental Protection.” The motion was seconded by Commissioner Heitel. Named roll‑call votes in the transcript include ‘‘Marce’’ and ‘‘Sheila’’ voting aye; the motion was recorded as approved.

Why it matters: the SRF intended‑use list is the primary mechanism for allocating low‑interest municipal wastewater loans in Massachusetts and determines eligibility for certain principal‑forgiveness programs. Changes to borrower caps and multi‑year rules could force towns to revise bond and voter materials for major multi‑year projects and may reduce the availability of principal forgiveness used by Cape Cod towns.

Next steps: DEP’s public hearing is scheduled for March 3; written comments submitted before that date will be considered. Commissioners and APCC indicated the county will submit formal comments and coordinate with towns and the Cape Cod Water Protection Fund board.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 26, 2025 County Commissioners Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Barnstable County commissioners on Feb. 25 authorized a resolution and a letter opposing proposed changes to the Massachusetts Clean Water State Revolving Fund intended‑use plan that would impose a $50 million annual borrower cap and change multi‑year financing rules.","taxTitle","Barnstable County, Massachusetts","taxId",12948,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6308376,"County updates technical plan for PFAS cleanup at former municipal fire training site; PRB pilot advance funded with ARPA money",4018,2713000,6731000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2423270-88cfd6996cd805af9e00b7d5fb35911c&start=2713&end=6731","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2423270-88cfd6996cd805af9e00b7d5fb35911c/thumbnail_2713000.jpg","/articles/6308376/Barnstable-County/Massachusetts/County-updates-technical-plan-for-PFAS-cleanup-at-former-municipal-fire-training-site-PRB-pilot-advance-funded-with-ARPA-money","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308376-8c30851cedf6ef54e17b275ab6e8fe9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205702&Signature=JI8ql6dKJZbP9rpY5soD0M9hUrQB8wSo3s1fFysQhorDQi5TOQHAd8WuD8i6183JOhJIAXz-Cw8x4cW0ohAgm9tVUI11c0BqFjR54nunTw2J-tGyjkDSX6U7EaQa~ZETLbkQx9hPaERsOsMVz4lEyjTNZjvhLDzBUGgONE7eBSFdJFyr4fEJ6Ob2ksxNvLUBwwhZwN9aFksseuHnyt0pGUIXWFJ4hutSL4hIIEkRD~dGO2vbMbatqOX14Eiv9FiWs7W1dzYdKgBpR3yDhcXewEnJJfqQKPDdlIYQOaRBmX8hedbYuN1bv0NNpCHa1~4Meewy4ZFvdtyVgbOn4YwpIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Barnstable County staff and consultants on Feb. 25 gave a technical briefing on the former municipal fire training site and ongoing PFAS remediation planning. Paul Rosala, the county’s assets and infrastructure manager, and consultants from GZA GeoEnvironmental described a coordinated, multi‑track program of additional investigation, numerical groundwater modeling, forensic source analysis, and pilot testing in advance of larger remediation steps.

GZA principals David Leone and John (last name recorded variously) said the county’s strategy is to close key data gaps, refine a conceptual site model and use a numerical groundwater flow model (built from a USGS Cape‑wide model and supplemented with higher‑resolution local data) to assess plume pathways, the influence of pumping wells, and remedial scenarios. The consultants said new work includes a geophysical survey to map a low‑permeability silty‑clay layer beneath the site, targeted soil and groundwater sampling to the north and downgradient directions, and installation of monitoring wells aligned with a planned permeable reactive barrier (PRB).

GZA described the PRB approach as an in situ containment measure using injected activated carbon (a “colloidal carbon” curtain) to sorb PFAS as groundwater moves through the injected zone. GZA said the PRB method can avoid deep trenching and reduce the volume of groundwater that would otherwise be pumped, treated, and reinjected—a costly process that can produce large secondary waste streams (iron sludges and spent carbon). The PRB pilot has regulatory support from MassDEP, GZA said, and the county has a vendor contract and an ARPA set‑aside to install a PRB once final design details—principally the mapped top of the silty‑clay confining layer—are confirmed.

Rosala reviewed existing and planned obligations: the county has a settlement with the town of Barnstable for drinking‑water impacts (the county estimated settlement damages at approximately $3,600,000 over the period 2017–2037), ongoing operations and maintenance agreements for point‑of‑use and wellhead treatment, the site capping already completed to limit infiltration, and contracts for professional services and legal work tied to Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) compliance. Earlier, higher‑level cleanup cost estimates cited to the county (previously $10 million–$60 million or more) were labeled “to be determined” as the county narrows remedial options.

GZA emphasized the need to understand whether several off‑site plumes are connected to the training site, to evaluate contribution from the airport and other nearby industrial activity, and to assess how pumping from Mary Dunn wells and other high‑capacity producers affect contaminant migration. The consultants have compiled a regional database that includes historic well logs and monitoring results and are using the model to run particle‑tracking scenarios that suggest the highest hydraulic connection is toward Mary Dunn Pond and the Mary Dunn wellfield; reverse particle tracking indicated potential contributions from sources to the west of the site.

Planned near‑term work includes geophysical mapping of the lower clay unit, installation of additional monitoring and PRB performance wells (using an S/MBE‑compliant driller to meet funding requirements), expanded ecological assessments (pond and wetland biota sampling and moth/light‑trap surveys) and a Phase II MCP report targeted for completion in 2025 pending data flow. County staff said quick turnaround analysis through a county lab arrangement will speed field decision‑making during drilling and sampling.

County and consultant remarks stressed coordination with MassDEP, the USGS and local stakeholders (town, airport, fire district and community groups), and the need to clarify responsibility for remediation costs and potential recoveries through ongoing litigation or third‑party settlements. Commissioners said they expect the county to press for cost‑sharing where appropriate and to keep the public informed as the technical work proceeds.

Why it matters: the training site sits near multiple public drinking‑water wells, the Hyannis water system, and sensitive wetlands. A successful containment strategy that reduces contaminant migration and lowers wellhead loading would reduce ongoing treatment costs for municipal suppliers and reduce long‑term public‑health and environmental risks.

Next steps: complete geophysical mapping, install targeted monitoring and PRB performance wells, execute the PRB pilot and monitor performance; finish the Phase II report in 2025 and continue coordination with MassDEP and other stakeholders.","County staff and consultants presented a detailed technical update on the former Barnstable municipal fire training site PFAS contamination, describing a regional groundwater model, geophysical surveys, expanded monitoring, and a planned permeable reactive barrier (PRB) containment approach funded in part by a $4 million ARPA allocation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6308382,"Region sees sharp rise in referrals for commercial sexual exploitation of children, Children's Cove reports",1175,1511000,2686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2423270-88cfd6996cd805af9e00b7d5fb35911c&start=1511&end=2686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2423270-88cfd6996cd805af9e00b7d5fb35911c/thumbnail_1511000.jpg","/articles/6308382/Barnstable-County/Massachusetts/Region-sees-sharp-rise-in-referrals-for-commercial-sexual-exploitation-of-children-Childrens-Cove-reports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308382-c35cf37e7c6ef0e72eaa1dedcb871e6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205702&Signature=otR1uIX6L5rdyerWTz5ey-KMOQYnnVeUcvhRUEaBYZrvCWJNeF8HA0fmnJGlpcDHi9NoR4IfkySDrdYEE9ykGOKU6Pj1vHXLAL6aVXQU5BekI6lDte8NU5PpZ7GIBq9saw2oBygwbdfJbMW~~8yWghWzf0XcxrNczel-oyf6wuOPyvkgoevk-qxbs6VzdcX-V7I3bo6aec59UnAZMni0O228b6~CWLV-SANEw7bBG9aVf-01csJFn1DrF41mLz9dVOp-ras-GjFFwy0LwQmE2I7kyTv56ShDpBdk1PfetTl~an9hfhrsWNQv5xzkEFM3i4-IfPyVOLZjL~z6YZdZgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A presentation to Barnstable County commissioners on Feb. 25 summarized the 2024 regional report on commercial sexual exploitation of children. Jacob Stapleton, community engagement and education program manager at Children’s Cove, said the investigators and child‑advocacy partners recorded a 46 percent increase in referrals in 2024 compared with the prior year: 533 referrals impacting 471 children.

Stapleton described shifts in the types of cases: the youngest identified children were 4 years old; 57 cases involved children 12 or younger; the largest cohort (401 referrals) involved youth aged 13–17; an additional 75 referrals were for individuals who turned 18 during their senior year but had incidents during the high‑school period. Demographics in reported referrals were 80 percent identifying as female, 18 percent male and 2 percent transgender or non‑binary, Stapleton said.

He flagged online exploitation as a particularly large and growing component: roughly half of the referrals were “online‑only” cases in 2024, compared with prior years when most cases had both in‑person and online elements. Stapleton described types of online offenses that have become more common: online enticement by adults posing as minors or otherwise soliciting minors, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and sextortion—where a child is threatened with public dissemination of sexual images to coerce further acts or money.

Stapleton said the regional effort—Children’s Cove working with Bristol County and Plymouth County child advocacy centers and district attorney offices—has compiled the annual report since 2021 to capture cross‑jurisdictional trends. He attributed part of the increase in referrals to better reporting and training for mandated reporters, but said the magnitude of the rise indicates an actual increase in incidence. He also warned that artificial intelligence is already complicating cases by enabling image manipulation and deepfakes that can expand CSAM circulation and sextortion scenarios.

Commissioners praised the report as “eye opening” and urged continued community education and school‑based prevention efforts. Commissioners and Stapleton discussed training, earlier intervention, and the role of schools and parents in prevention. Stapleton said Children’s Cove will continue outreach to schools, community partners and the public and will publish the full report on childrenscove.org.

Why it matters: the numbers show rapid regional growth in referrals and a shift toward online‑only exploitation, increasing the demand for coordinated multidisciplinary response and prevention efforts in schools and communities. Stapleton urged continued training for law enforcement, educators and mandated reporters and more public education for parents and youth.","A regional annual report presented to Barnstable County commissioners shows a 46 percent increase in referrals for commercial sexual exploitation and related online offenses in 2024, with 533 referrals affecting 471 children and a sharp rise in online‑only cases, presenters said.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6308385,"Commissioners reauthorize Arts Foundation of Cape Cod as county's official arts agency through March 2026",393,1104000,1497000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2423270-88cfd6996cd805af9e00b7d5fb35911c&start=1104&end=1497","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2423270-88cfd6996cd805af9e00b7d5fb35911c/thumbnail_1104000.jpg","/articles/6308385/Barnstable-County/Massachusetts/Commissioners-reauthorize-Arts-Foundation-of-Cape-Cod-as-countys-official-arts-agency-through-March-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308385-755c774417e7ea6b8930f936d7ecb836/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205702&Signature=S~3v43t8Z7DVDD-4j~Qlkmi6sWa44upJLAMzHMZS~Dm-o~0rwSV-BtzOTgS1drVarWIAwPD5tcLxaPo~nlNxCqcfkqiXTNPKRuie52drsFl~uXCvW6BncwoWTEYtk~49fuwR9oln4eBBa98fJUrx6Cmpsr7gtIQbmsKIU45ETTA6ojAIYuT6Xxai8-GRxLHNw55XVb1~PhMvbU35Kw3WM7p4cgdtYY6R5yqWJJKQkBCXplrzVIxaOtXd3Dn0~OjSKMpeUiWAW-N3FsBeIbtdH7m-9fRyB2RbchxKvZWbsAjnYkbt1qjM~Lt8CjlkA9YQu245qSdeg~4PWvBB9GK7~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Barnstable County commissioners voted on Feb. 25 to designate the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod as the county’s official local arts agency through March 1, 2026, a status that allows AFCC to apply for federal National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funding and administer grants for local artists and organizations.

Chris Kazarian, AFCC director of grants and communications, told commissioners the designation has helped the foundation secure federal funding in recent cycles. Kazarian said AFCC has brought about $220,000 in federal money to Barnstable County through prior designations: a $150,000 award in 2021 that supported COVID recovery grants (AFCC distributed $139,000 to 14 arts agencies) and a later $30,000 award that AFCC matched and distributed to artists. Kazarian said AFCC also recently received a $40,000 NEA grant, which AFCC will match, bringing roughly $70,000 available for artists and arts organizations.

Kazarian described recent grant recipients and projects funded by AFCC, including therapeutic drumming at a developmental disabilities center and short documentary work by local filmmakers. He said AFCC was among a small group nationwide that received the NEA award in the most recent round and noted AFCC was the only recipient in Massachusetts among that category.

The motion to authorize the annual designation of AFCC as the official arts agency of Barnstable County through March 1, 2026, was moved and seconded. The roll call in the transcript records Commissioner Forrest voting “aye” by name and the meeting record states the vote was unanimous.

Why it matters: the county designation allows AFCC to apply for competitive NEA grants and to serve as the local administrative agent for federal arts funds, which AFCC has used to distribute multiple small grants (typically $2,000–$10,000) and to support arts projects across the Cape.

Next steps: AFCC expects to open its next application round in March and to distribute grants in May or June if funding is secured. Commissioners congratulated AFCC on 10 years of work and noted continued reliance on matching funds and license‑plate revenue as grant leverage.","Barnstable County commissioners voted to designate the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod (AFCC) as the county’s official local arts agency, enabling AFCC to apply for National Endowment for the Arts funding and administer federal arts grants in the region.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County commissioners authorize resolution opposing DEP changes to SRF intended-use plan

County updates technical plan for PFAS cleanup at former municipal fire training site; PRB pilot advance funded with ARPA money

Region sees sharp rise in referrals for commercial sexual exploitation of children, Children's Cove reports

Commissioners reauthorize Arts Foundation of Cape Cod as county's official arts agency through March 2026