Barnstable County Commissioners Connect with Mashpee Leaders to Discuss Shared Priorities

Published on: October 1, 2026

BARNSTABLE, Mass. (Sept. 30, 2026) – The increasing costs of wastewater infrastructure, the decline in state aid to municipalities, and the impacts of housing development were among the top priorities discussed Wednesday as the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners met in Mashpee with the Mashpee Select Board.

The Commissioners are holding meetings in all 15 towns on Cape Cod in order to improve the delivery of regional services to each municipality and to reduce the growing financial burdens on local taxpayers. The Commissioners are also discussing ways the County can assist town officials in addressing emerging issues.

At a second meeting that afternoon at the Barnstable County campus, the Commissioners received a legal briefing from Barnstable County Special Counsel Jonathan Witten on pending Martha’s Vineyard litigation that could have implications for the Cape Cod Commission’s statutory authority to review developments with regional impacts, including Chapter 40B housing projects.

Commissioners Mark Forest, Ronald Bergstrom, and Sheila Lyons participated in the Mashpee meeting alongside County Administrator Michael Dutton and County staff. Mashpee representatives included Select Board Chair John Cotton, Vice Chair Tracy Wilson, Select Board member Michaela Wyman-Colombo, Town Manager Rodney Collins, and municipal department heads.

County Administrator Michael Dutton opened the discussion with a brief overview of Barnstable County services, including dredging, water quality testing, public health services, affordable housing technical assistance, and cooperative purchasing. These regional programs provide all towns with access to specialized resources and opportunities to manage costs through shared services.

Dutton also presented the County’s analysis of local aid revenue generated by the region’s $231 million in lottery sales during fiscal year 2025.  That year, the 15 towns collectively received approximately $12 million in unrestricted local aid from lottery sales—only 5.2 cents on the dollar. The figures informed a discussion about continued advocacy for increasing Cape Cod towns’ share of this revenue.

The conversation turned to wastewater infrastructure, including treatment capacity, sludge disposal, and the cumulative impacts of development on water resources and municipal services. County officials discussed the possibility of convening municipal wastewater superintendents to examine shared challenges and potential regional solutions.

The County’s Cape Cod AquiFund was also discussed as a resource for homeowners facing wastewater-related expenses. Clean Water Center Director Brian Baumgaertel reported that the program has provided approximately $75 million in low-interest loans for septic system improvements and sewer connections since 2007. The County is seeking an additional $10 million in financing to support continued demand.

Additional discussion addressed dredging operations and problems with permitting, opportunities to support local businesses, and coordination with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Mashpee Select Board Vice Chair Tracy Wilson offered to help facilitate further dialogue with tribal leadership.

The Commissioners also discussed a suggestion to involve the town managers in the County’s upcoming budget development process to help align regional priorities with municipal needs.

“With the various proposals being floated by other county officials, the Cape’s town managers want to make sure that the priorities of the County are clearly aligned with the priorities of the fifteen Cape Cod towns,” said Mark Forest, Chair of the Barnstable County Commissioners.

Afternoon Meeting Addresses Regional Development Review

During the afternoon meeting, Barnstable County Special Counsel Jonathan Witten provided an update on pending litigation involving the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and a Chapter 40B affordable housing development in Edgartown.

The briefing was in response to concerns being raised by local Select Boards in previous municipal outreach meetings, including in Harwich, about the relationship between housing development, infrastructure capacity, and regional oversight.

The Martha’s Vineyard case concerns whether the Martha’s Vineyard Commission may exercise its Development of Regional Impact (DRI) review authority over projects proceeding under the state’s Chapter 40B comprehensive permit process.

Witten outlined the key issues in the case, including potential implications for the Cape Cod Commission Act, which is a separate regional planning statute. In his opinion, the Cape Cod Commission Act provides express authority for the regional review of qualifying Chapter 40B developments, but he acknowledged that differing interpretations exist.

“An impact is an impact is an impact,” Witten said, emphasizing that regional planning considerations such as traffic, wastewater generation, and water consumption apply regardless of whether housing is offered at market rates or below-market rates.

The Commissioners discussed monitoring the litigation and evaluating how future court decisions may affect the Cape Cod Commission’s authority to review major developments that could have an adverse impact on Cape Cod’s critical environmental resources.

Next Stop: Dennis

The Commissioners’ next municipal outreach meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 28 in Dennis.

Through these visits, Barnstable County continues to work with its 15 member towns to identify shared priorities, strengthen regional services, and develop collaborative approaches to challenges affecting Cape Cod communities.

Watch Replays of Both Meetings

Residents can view recordings of both meetings at www.youtube.com/@BarnstableCountyVideo

About Barnstable County: Barnstable County provides regional services, programs, and leadership to the fifteen towns of Cape Cod. Through collaboration and innovation, the County works to address shared challenges and improve the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors across the region. Learn more at www.capecod.gov

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