[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6195283,"mediaKeyId","3862642-885663ad52262c6b7c65d377df16da9a","parentId",3862642,"title","Assembly declines to authorize public‑services committee hearing on recent ICE actions after heated debate","audioSeconds",2226,"startMs",6720000,"endMs",8946000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3862642-885663ad52262c6b7c65d377df16da9a&start=6720&end=8946","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3862642-885663ad52262c6b7c65d377df16da9a/thumbnail_6720000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6195283/Barnstable-County/Massachusetts/Assembly-declines-to-authorize-publicservices-committee-hearing-on-recent-ICE-actions-after-heated-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195283-3eced0bb212952b2b2c3b504f1ca5044/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985294&Signature=dvBAtE-Y3SBUSYShN6MLvcZwLPouqmHykV9SjBQC9G6XmITNuXrBJzdPyLfLDFSDIl7jwpthnHAdgoitcm-YTU8YhBz36jE6BqEC0ROiyuWR6b90MBGY9tRhmPy~asOfA4-~xMU1d-OGZjbVKuIF~0kY1htk8kpEmA-JJ12LbZ9ljBlw-vlUMlgBt7pp~h1G4t~2E6cyXzg4sa5NLb6EA2uJK2-zXJK1xCf~6ucuTyLgIo7ssPqH86sJG-VAoSnwbn5j7buxgrmcViQ~LsqmteQTsQdNPMKx7sgR5SPUzyKowpbp6rmWotICVtTgc08T2VcqBESTeggYMbtp1c5~Yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Barnstable County, MA","date","2025-06-19T10:45:25Z","article","The Assembly of Delegates debated whether to authorize its standing Committee on Public Services to hold a hearing on recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions affecting Cape Cod residents. After extended discussion and competing proposals, the assembly did not authorize the committee to schedule a hearing.

Deputy Speaker Brandy Potash’s office brought the request to consider a hearing after federal reports and local concerns about ICE activity and a federal designation that called Barnstable County a “sanctuary” jurisdiction. Delegates who supported a hearing said the assembly should invite federal, state and local officials and immigration advocates to explain processes and to provide clear information to frightened residents; opponents warned a public hearing could become politically charged and might not change federal enforcement actions.

Assembly delegates debated venue and scope. Some, including Deputy Speaker Gessen, urged a committee hearing that would invite the U.S. Attorney’s Office, ICE representatives, local law‑enforcement leaders, legal aid organizations and the county Human Rights Commission so the public could receive direct answers about protections and processes. Gessen said the assembly should ask officials to “explain what you mean by sanctuary status” and to clarify who is being targeted and what protections exist.

Other delegates recommended a narrower route: asking the county’s Human Rights Commission to collect information and prepare an informational briefing. Delegate Frederickson argued the Human Rights Commission already has the “tentacles in our communities” and could reduce fear among residents through outreach and education rather than a full assembly hearing.

A motion to authorize the Committee on Public Services to hold a hearing was made and discussed on the floor. Delegates proposed an amendment to limit the committee meeting to a closed planning session (no public comment) to prepare a structured agenda for a later public hearing; that amendment failed. The main motion to authorize a committee hearing was then put to a roll‑call vote and failed.

Delegates who spoke on both sides emphasized the need for reliable information for constituents. Supporters argued a committee hearing could invite federal and local officials to answer specific questions; opponents said federal enforcement policies are determined outside the county’s authority and that a public meeting risked inflaming emotions without producing actionable county authority. No ordinance or resolution was adopted; the assembly did not direct a committee to schedule a public forum at this time.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 18, 2025 Assembly of Delegates Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Assembly of Delegates debated and ultimately voted not to authorize its public‑services committee to hold a hearing on recent ICE enforcement actions affecting Cape Cod residents.","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},6195287,"Barnstable County updates Assembly on Aqua Fund loans, MassTC testing center and septic utility planning",3459,3000000,6459000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3862642-885663ad52262c6b7c65d377df16da9a&start=3000&end=6459","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3862642-885663ad52262c6b7c65d377df16da9a/thumbnail_3000000.jpg","/articles/6195287/Barnstable-County/Massachusetts/Barnstable-County-updates-Assembly-on-Aqua-Fund-loans-MassTC-testing-center-and-septic-utility-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195287-2679d089e62dd2361c9a5adf1f3dd61a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985294&Signature=Mz0LotRZe4rmZjt28s3MNV8ovHoFHMwbQ~wSzb34R6oVm89hlgvngkDM78Ti4pY8T1noEnWImeAIatYCkR7CDuCW0OItkZ1hoV59IeutdLHscSdVHQp99gOPaSmLMnIjsK5JdEctvQ821c-WF62wzMF2qaHxzDvijNpDPA1ji~YHGSz0VBWgNj3hBFE5AkGAmqcexC3twKJg0gaKBMVb0Acb7ZcmBzEt7AShL2JcuUKe-rq2JitVbt9CeTaHs7sww2S5jrU5WQOHOqkyhbm63kLV-tg9ARRg2y4AYMLA0CWilNU6WZFuoZWm2Kh803omPAdUjntnFC3fuMEEjOO6Gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Barnstable County’s Department of Health and Environment briefed the Assembly on three ongoing wastewater efforts: the county’s Cape Cod Aqua Fund low‑interest loan program, the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MassTC), and a proposed septic utility model to manage and maintain advanced on‑site systems.

Brian Baumgartel, director of the wastewater division and MassTC lead, described growing demand for Aqua Fund loans and the county’s role in testing and certifying proprietary and nonproprietary on‑site systems for nitrogen and phosphorus reduction. He told the assembly that the division has been “very busy” and that “wastewater is a key issue here on Cape Cod.”

Aqua Fund and financing: County staff said Aqua Fund issued about $7.2 million in loans in fiscal 2025 to date, with an average loan near $22,000. The program offers tiered interest rates — 0%, 2%, 4% and (for market listings) 5% — depending on income and whether the project is in a town’s designated nitrogen‑sensitive watershed. Program staff said the fund is self‑supporting (loan interest and repayments cover most program costs) and estimated potential demand across Cape Cod of roughly $152 million over 10 years as towns advance sewer projects and alternative onsite installations.

MassTC research and approvals: Baumgartel said MassTC’s testing and certification work for advanced on‑site technologies is accelerating. He described technologies now achieving median total nitrogen effluent levels in the ~5 mg/L range and noted that centralized treatment plants typically operate near 3–5 mg/L. He named a small number of technologies close to, or in, advanced Massachusetts approval tracks, including Clean2 and Nitrex, and said a nonproprietary “layer cake” approach exists but lacks a private sponsor to push it through the full approval process. He also outlined a $416,000 MassDEP grant the center received to pilot urine‑diversion fixtures and assess management pathways for separated urine as a nutrient source or treatment stream.

Septic utility and operations: Baumgartel said the county is developing a flexible septic utility and related services to help towns manage the long‑term operation, maintenance and monitoring of large numbers of advanced onsite systems. He told the assembly that contractors and installers are already in short supply and that towns’ notices to connect (for sewer phases) have generated heavy demand for Aqua Fund assistance; the county’s staff reported receiving more than 10 Aqua Fund applications per day for a period after a town notice was issued.

MassTC also reported increased revenue from certification testing and grants and is expanding lab and meeting facilities at Joint Base Cape Cod. County staff emphasized workforce development, research into cost‑reducing technology and the need to explore funding pathways so homeowners required to install advanced systems are not left with disproportionate costs compared with sewered properties.

Delegates asked about system costs, maintenance, phosphorus removal, and timelines; county staff said on‑site advanced systems typically average substantially more than conventional Title V systems, and that some systems require periodic carbon replacement or other consumables. County staff said they would return with updates and will continue coordinating with towns and state agencies as approvals progress.","Health department officials and the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MassTC) summarized expanded Aqua Fund lending, rising demand for septic and sewer work, testing and certification work at MassTC, and county planning for on‑site advanced systems and a regional septic utility model.",{"_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},6195291,"Barnstable County launches volunteer PFAS private‑well testing program funded by ARPA",1852,976000,2828000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3862642-885663ad52262c6b7c65d377df16da9a&start=976&end=2828","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3862642-885663ad52262c6b7c65d377df16da9a/thumbnail_976000.jpg","/articles/6195291/Barnstable-County/Massachusetts/Barnstable-County-launches-volunteer-PFAS-privatewell-testing-program-funded-by-ARPA","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195291-afa3f066822be89fa5761a2d8a65a049/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985294&Signature=ECl7BTOzHwSKi8Wy3bhgcorrKBvfombdwclz2mnKqRZKGoHLdjeqbUupwXUpo52YHLIg2RExY87YmPSEiMIAYz~p~RncZPh2pqe1w6jwrWcEFSjtGrYIKFQelL47d1cfHdwNKJOi2f0XIqUwSh2smNGiINoi48N~fYBxRoy03~mzBoYzfv5ZA8GJPxeb9ZqOdq1maKJW6uAbk2enQejIAb8TTu6Ct5rN8SWa4rdr88MxkQKrpluy5nbZCe0GPWpA4PCWa7uJYu32Qt3Me4sdB02d1ckETTeb8Qbk6aWnR~J7ZIB-UyI-eg2UQA4Ub~pNMwiulgTs1Cgil2WSp2TB4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Barnstable County on Wednesday described a new, ARPA‑funded volunteer program to test private wells for PFAS and other common drinking‑water contaminants across Cape Cod.

County officials said the program is designed to give homeowners a baseline of water‑quality data and to identify any areas that may need follow‑up by MassDEP or by local health agents. The county and its contractor, Tetra Tech, plan an initial round of about 270 homeowner samples — held to about 300 total ARPA‑funded analyses with roughly 10% reserved for follow‑ups — and will post an anonymous countywide report when the work is complete.

“This is a volunteer program, free to the public,” Jay Gardner, director of Health and Environment for Barnstable County, told the Assembly of Delegates. Gardner and Dr. Katie O’Neil, program manager for shared services, said the effort aims to reach towns across the Cape and to work closely with local health agents so residents are not surprised by results or uncertain how to proceed.

Bill Phelps, a licensed site professional and project manager with contractor Tetra Tech, described logistics and quality controls: residents will apply online (or by phone), receive laboratory‑supplied glassware and instructions, and either drop samples at scheduled town collection points or have Tetra Tech collect them. Phelps said the program will “make every effort to kind of make this an anonymous program” while noting that, because public‑funded lab results may be subject to public records requests, residents will sign a release acknowledging that possibility.

County and contractor staff said the ARPA allocation supports roughly 300 samples in total, with about 270 to be allocated on a first‑come, first‑served basis and approximately 10% reserved for quality‑control resamples. The effort includes outreach materials in multiple languages, coordination with town health agents, and lab procedures to avoid sample contamination — for PFAS testing, teams will follow strict handling protocols because results are measured at parts‑per‑trillion concentrations.

Officials explained how regulators will respond if elevated PFAS levels are found. According to the county briefing, MassDEP treats 20 parts per trillion as the drinking‑water guideline threshold and treats 90 parts per trillion as an “imminent hazard” level that triggers agency intervention; MassDEP could install point‑of‑entry treatment systems and pursue source investigation where appropriate. Phelps told delegates the agency told the county it would install and maintain treatment for about two years for households where imminent‑hazard levels are confirmed and households are unwilling or unable to resolve the problem.

Delegate O’Malley asked about homeowner reluctance to test before a real‑estate sale; Phelps and county staff said the program will provide information about treatment and financing options and will offer referrals and technical interpretation of lab reports. County staff said a final, anonymized report will be posted on the county website and that they expect to complete sampling and analysis and publish a report by the end of 2025.

The program targets private wells only; the county said its estimate of about 14,000 private wells on Cape Cod comes from state well registration databases and town records. County officials emphasized that the program is a baseline effort intended to expand understanding of local exposure patterns and to provide residents with clear, lab‑backed results and referral guidance.","Barnstable County health officials and contractor Tetra Tech outlined a countywide, ARPA‑funded volunteer program to provide baseline PFAS and standard drinking‑water testing for private wells across Cape Cod, with roughly 270 samples to be analyzed initially and results posted anonymously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assembly declines to authorize public‑services committee hearing on recent ICE actions after heated debate

Barnstable County updates Assembly on Aqua Fund loans, MassTC testing center and septic utility planning

Barnstable County launches volunteer PFAS private‑well testing program funded by ARPA