[{"_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",6228020,"mediaKeyId","3477954-cfa5d0d9582e1ee5e8a3efbc6534a63d","parentId",3477954,"title","Dredge summit delegates call permitting process the chief barrier to Cape Cod dredging","audioSeconds",745,"startMs",5495000,"endMs",6240000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3477954-cfa5d0d9582e1ee5e8a3efbc6534a63d&start=5495&end=6240","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3477954-cfa5d0d9582e1ee5e8a3efbc6534a63d/thumbnail_5495000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6228020/Barnstable-County/Massachusetts/Dredge-summit-delegates-call-permitting-process-the-chief-barrier-to-Cape-Cod-dredging","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228020-b2abd891945bfd66c3e08bd2b2056632/orig.mp4?Expires=1770885274&Signature=XfvXPJsMGoU77WFCPCHT81vgQ299dYD8YDu0HmgUmzfPMI4WjgxItxtlVksTz84CPPCsQ02ZoWmFMgdapGqIDLWeA5MdcwpWvxbumPdm2a74B9lNnmJZ90bZpAojc9FBeWLspEHZl1udGuaqHqn2o~Mtt05Xw3-gMb7BAqll4~jPF2m5ue2zdH6mwHJJJ7S6zPim2yAXH58nHSaCjQG4QgEBhlRnp1-WYqJSL12AP11q-LPejyYBCpGMJPcyTxOxD8b6HkPTUIGOGKth0qJzWFzFcp6mGGYok55UaYKagtCWiHwwy73IAF0qe6O5tWWrTuBuHmcN3V-xK3jPeoIm3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Barnstable County, MA","date","2025-05-24T00:45:59.4Z","article","Delegate Elizabeth Hatter, who attended the recent dredge summit, told the Assembly of Delegates on May 21 that representatives from eight permitting agencies described complex, slow and inconsistent permitting steps that are hindering dredging across Cape Cod.

\"You have to absolutely jump through hoops to get a permit, and it takes forever,\" Hatter said, summarizing testimony from agency representatives and consultants. She said agencies represented included the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and state agencies including the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, MassDEP, the Division of Marine Fisheries and Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Attendees said a key problem is time-of-year restrictions tied to species protections and habitat seasons; Hatter observed some of the underlying studies date to 2012 and that migratory and species-timing patterns (for example, horseshoe-crab activity or piping-plover nesting) have changed. Delegates heard that outdated timing rules, variable local staff capacity and the inability to track permit status consistently have produced scheduling uncertainty that undermines dredge operations.

Summit recommendations discussed by delegates included: hiring county-level staff to assist towns with permits and scheduling; conducting updated, region-wide reviews of time-of-year restrictions and species data; pre-filing time-of-year waiver requests where appropriate; and improving monitoring tools (for example turbidity monitoring during work) so agencies and towns can make more timely, data-driven decisions.

Hatter said small towns without dedicated permitting staff are particularly disadvantaged compared with larger towns that routinely run dredge projects. She added a consultant report commissioned earlier is expected in June and delegates said the county should review that report to determine next steps.

The Assembly did not take a formal vote on dredging policy at the meeting; delegates asked staff to circulate summit materials and the recorded session is available on YouTube for delegates and the public to review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 21, 2025 Assembly of Delegates Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Delegates who attended a recent dredge summit reported that overlapping federal and state permitting requirements and time-of-year restrictions are the primary constraints on dredging projects; delegates suggested county staff assistance to help towns navigate permitting and noted a consultant report is expected in June.","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},6228025,"Barnstable County treasurer reports nearly $76 million in cash, outlines grants and stabilization funds",1208,3382000,4590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3477954-cfa5d0d9582e1ee5e8a3efbc6534a63d&start=3382&end=4590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3477954-cfa5d0d9582e1ee5e8a3efbc6534a63d/thumbnail_3382000.jpg","/articles/6228025/Barnstable-County/Massachusetts/Barnstable-County-treasurer-reports-nearly-76-million-in-cash-outlines-grants-and-stabilization-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228025-5fe41a2838ad259a2a3cdb91e06d8773/orig.mp4?Expires=1770885274&Signature=k39FEq~1z6j~cTPJ51wfUTmqbJ6pGZWTMzwUHuIV95M6lOMNOdfPJF-eT1yOycO02TCjbP~3-hjKGqKZl3a5-IfWpeYwpqO~INR5sPyKeGtl3g5-S-zRiWEBJdvQ0j6EUd38n5kdT9Ev3bMroZwf5FcGvskjKlQ8Aqi8zB0FGIlikyt3xefRos6N8aIBZ2BCXwFjlM3b2kgj~aHR9fB03~TrICkCjbu~TqnXR4KtkLAxBFYY1E0zBtoAwzc1rmI4g05GCl1rObGOR9-HzWyQTVms3Qmcc5tqAAgh2xrZiIdB5MfQsua9jqgYEeuWA0pIh69AnnH3szp99v5OkNsiiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carol Coppola, Barnstable County treasurer and finance director, presented the fiscal year 2025 third-quarter financial results (period ending March 31, 2025) to the Assembly of Delegates on May 21, saying, “As of 03/31/2025, Barnstable County was managing just under $76,000,000 worth of cash.”

Coppola told delegates the county manages about 80 federal, state and local grants totaling more than $55,000,000 within the fiscal year and that cash balances have declined in part because ARPA funds are being expended. She said the county reconciled 21 bank accounts and follows best practices for monthly reconciliations.

Key figures and points Coppola presented included:

- Cash under management: just under $76,000,000 as of March 31, 2025.

- Grants: roughly 80 grants managed in the fiscal year, totaling over $55,000,000.

- ARPA and other restricted funds: several stabilization funds were created or funded by Assembly ordinances; a revenue stabilization fund of just under $14,000,000 is invested in the Massachusetts Municipal Depository Trust (MMDT).

- General fund undesignated balance: the presentation showed an ending undesignated/unreserved general fund balance of about $2,600,000 as of June 30, 2024 after ordinances reserved funds for specified uses; Coppola noted that figure does not estimate the 2024–25 year-end unreserved balance.

- Dredge enterprise: Coppola said $622,000 was outstanding in receivables billed to communities for completed dredging projects and that projections show dredge enterprise revenue is expected to exceed expenditures for the fiscal year.

Coppola addressed delegate questions about bank accounts, interest income and capital ratios. She said the county maintains multiple accounts for diversification and to segregate funds such as ARPA and stabilization funds and that recent investment decisions, including use of MMDT, produced interest income above conservative estimates. On capital and infrastructure, Coppola said the county should continue monitoring deferred maintenance and that a facilities assessment project is forthcoming.

Delegates asked for further breakdowns and Coppola offered to provide additional grant closeout figures and scheduled an audit presentation to the Board of Regional Commissioners for June 25.","Treasurer and finance director Carol Coppola presented Q3 results showing just under $76 million in county cash, management of roughly 80 grants totaling over $55 million in the fiscal year and a $2.6 million undesignated general-fund balance as of June 30, 2024 after ordinance reservations.",{"_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},6228030,"Human Rights Commission: two-thirds of 2024 contacts cited race, education settings a frequent site",1790,1810000,3600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3477954-cfa5d0d9582e1ee5e8a3efbc6534a63d&start=1810&end=3600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3477954-cfa5d0d9582e1ee5e8a3efbc6534a63d/thumbnail_1810000.jpg","/articles/6228030/Barnstable-County/Massachusetts/Human-Rights-Commission-two-thirds-of-2024-contacts-cited-race-education-settings-a-frequent-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228030-8d9ace9d5c4f437545201416deadf4fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770885274&Signature=KMRHAjFJYvIC~nnEL4jfHR4a-TpriQX2VjtgbqhEFGoz5uK8jcIwTjtjLcNEEUxVCBGQbABMrk0C8lir0kQy9TCqkLzWGTMUgA7leLVc7Odo2DlaPl9lzlZjW6if4-5VEybMW3ZrUZha8TDuX5Js7E5e9A6cXFuoJ8rAiTm8vXKg2Uohs1RgPYkRMQXxeySR6pmP432OuwuhZXaD~W3DjG5znxD-bEOP-5wngEhwpu7pVT2ZKaiwWe0vr4y--ej1dUA8hbm1kFh9ztCc9v95LTVZe~CUI8CAClnUBxsTnMGoZGf~DevXRxTqoYBrZTdspInNjUG8j1MYeAlroN0m-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leslie Dominguez Santos, human rights coordinator for Barnstable County, reviewed the Human Rights Advisory Commission’s 2024 activities and intake data for the Assembly of Delegates on May 21, saying race-based reports made up “fully two thirds of the phone calls that I received.”

The commission recorded 45 touch points in 2024 — calls or online reports seeking information, reporting incidents, or requesting referrals — and staff tracked protected-class categories aligned with federal and Massachusetts law. Dominguez Santos told the assembly she added a “reports” category in 2023 to capture incidents callers wanted logged but not pursued for further action.

Education settings were a prominent site for complaints. Dominguez Santos said the commission received reports across kindergarten through 12th grade, and that many initial calls come from parents rather than students. She said incidents in younger grades were frequently name-calling that callers described as race-based; at the high-school level, calls included racial slurs, antisemitic and anti-Muslim incidents, anti-LGBTQ incidents and reports concerning students with disabilities. She said physical incidents most commonly occurred in hallways and at sporting events, and that several high-profile social media incidents also resulted in school action.

The commission’s intake work focuses on referrals and community education rather than legal enforcement. Dominguez Santos said the commission refers callers to local nonprofits, school administrators and police where appropriate and that many outcomes are organizational trainings or internal policy changes. “People feel heard and acknowledged and supported,” she said, describing a major nonlegal outcome of the commission’s work.

Dominguez Santos also reported an increase in reports tied to national origin and religion and said she tracks press accounts as well as direct calls. She noted an uptick in antisemitic graffiti across the Cape and said she serves on the district attorney’s anti-human-trafficking working group; she said she has not personally handled a trafficking case while serving as coordinator, though trafficking has come before the commission historically.

Dominguez Santos described three signature annual events — two human rights academies and International Human Rights Day — and said the commission continues outreach to towns and tribal partners. Delegates discussed using the Assembly’s facilities to host community education and agreed to follow up; the speaker suggested a possible working group and a June 4 update on the housing working group referenced earlier in the meeting.

The commission has nine commissioners, two alternates and designated town liaisons who help surface local reports and connect residents to the county resource, Dominguez Santos said.","Leslie Dominguez Santos, Barnstable County human rights coordinator, reported 45 intake touch points in 2024 and said two-thirds of those callers identified race as a basis for their complaint; schools and public spaces were among the most-cited locations.",{"_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},6228035,"Barnstable County details ARPA spending, launches shared housing RFP and four major projects",532,1125000,1657000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3477954-cfa5d0d9582e1ee5e8a3efbc6534a63d&start=1125&end=1657","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3477954-cfa5d0d9582e1ee5e8a3efbc6534a63d/thumbnail_1125000.jpg","/articles/6228035/Barnstable-County/Massachusetts/Barnstable-County-details-ARPA-spending-launches-shared-housing-RFP-and-four-major-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228035-d2e28856ab9e4c9e5a1c7da53f93149c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770885274&Signature=FHvSAxkGC46fFrWUK9Q94IUVb4GMBezZRcHCt7NzL6xZC-NfpkcOKUFUU3ZyLLbqwt1qfaJ8JYMAh-CJHvPb2k7iJO-sfa~VXwh0RPT5tkdFoiJXv0m4nWOvkLe0MYqW9aV4fYHAMDmTmXzekj~v~NiyBaSGvCJHNZqcmCILMUAWppDjTPHg8VRHqbLLGTiHq1s9s--UWYB~oq2lJtCto8BAio7WN1YGRDZMtCcTTY8dB~7nsLRKzTdt-bwpbg5O2F3PqJXICcinyIq1JpHX9n81wNajqHaxpDzH42C44fVPUx40Su7LqFYSLOQpWtNrkCqmXYYJoSU-JFZUpNSmVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Barnstable County Administrator Michael Dutton and Assistant County Administrator Vera Harik told the Assembly of Delegates on May 21 that the county is actively spending American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and preparing an RFP for a three-year shared regional housing consulting contract that will be led by the county.

The update matters because ARPA dollars are a major source for county capital and program work in the next 1–3 years. Harik said, “Of the $41,400,000 in ARPA grant funding we received…we had $7,500,000 left to spend.” She broke the allocation down by tranche and program, and described four large county projects underway with remaining ARPA balances.

Harik told delegates the ARPA allocation includes a towns tranche (about $10,000,000 allocated, roughly $1.1 million remaining to be spent for towns), $11,400,000 for housing projects (about $325,000 remaining), a $5,000,000 small/medium nonprofit grant program (about $500,000 remaining), and roughly $14,000,000 for county departmental projects (about $5,100,000 remaining). The four county projects she highlighted are:

- A large records digitization project to process roughly 2.5 million pages; the first shipment is expected to leave next week and the county’s IT staff are preparing to ingest the returned data.

- A PFAS remediation “pump-and-treat” system at the former fire training academy, with roughly $4,000,000 allocated and about $2.5 million left to spend; Harik said another approximately $1,000,000 in work is imminent.

- A private-well testing and analysis program expected to launch in June; public communications and preparatory data-gathering are under way and the health department staff will present more detail to the Board of Commissioners at its April 28 meeting.

- Water-quality laboratory upgrades and build-out, which Harik said are “well underway” and near completion.

Dutton framed the housing work as continuing a two-year ARPA-funded pilot and said the county will issue a request for proposals for consulting services to run the next three-year cycle and act as the lead municipal partner. He said the towns “know generally what their financial obligation will be” and that outreach to municipal managers has produced near-universal buy-in; Dutton added that one or two towns had not yet expressed interest but were still receiving services under the current contract.

Delegates pressed for details. Delegate O’Malley asked whether towns had resisted the cost-sharing formula; Dutton said outreach by county staff and town managers produced “almost universal buy in,” and that officials could cite expected costs within “several hundred dollars” for most towns.

Harik said county staff are prioritizing spending ARPA dollars quickly but reported no indication locally or nationally of any ARPA clawback discussions. “So far so good,” she said.

Next steps: the county will release the shared housing RFP, the private-well testing program is slated to begin in June, and the Board of Commissioners will receive additional detail on the well-testing plan at its next meeting.","County officials reported $41.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds and outlined four large county projects, while announcing a request for proposals for a three-year shared regional housing consultant contract and saying the county will serve as lead under a new intermunicipal agreement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dredge summit delegates call permitting process the chief barrier to Cape Cod dredging

Barnstable County treasurer reports nearly $76 million in cash, outlines grants and stabilization funds

Human Rights Commission: two-thirds of 2024 contacts cited race, education settings a frequent site

Barnstable County details ARPA spending, launches shared housing RFP and four major projects