County Commissioners Oppose Question 6 to Increase Assembly’s Power to Spend from Reserves
Approved Key Funding for a Wellfleet Housing Project, Children’s Cove and Aquaculture
Barnstable, MA (October 9, 2024) – At today’s meeting, the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners voiced their opposition to Question #6 on the State Ballot, a proposal to amend the County Charter, and approved a $1 million grant for affordable housing in Wellfleet. The meeting also included funding approvals for Children’s Cove’s child advocacy services, aquaculture research through the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, and a presentation on herring restoration efforts focusing on improving critical habitats across Cape Cod.
County Commissioners Oppose Question 6 to Increase Assembly’s Power to Spend from Reserves
The Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners voted today to oppose Question #6 on the November 5, 2024, ballot for the following reasons:
- The proposal bypassed the long-established Charter Review procedure, which is designed to be open, inclusive, and transparent.
- It is designed to increase the spending power of the Assembly for pet projects, pay raises, and the hiring of more staff.
- It is poorly written and provides the voters with few details.
- The Assembly seeks an exemption from the state laws governing county expenditures – raising many unique legal questions and confusion.
- The proposal is bad budget policy – jeopardizing our bond rating and raising costs and assessments to Cape Cod towns.
The Ballot Question By-Passed County Charter Review Procedures. The Commissioners pointed out that the charter review process should be an open and transparent process outlined in the Charter. It not only reviews the Charter but ways to improve county government. It welcomes the participation of all county and municipal leaders, Selectmen, and civic groups including the League of Women Voters, business leaders, community groups and interested citizens. It would conclude with a report available to all voters documenting the basis for changes and recommendations. The Assembly bypassed this long-established process.
The Ballot Question Provides the Voter with Insufficient Information. The Commissioners contend that the proponents have not provided the voters or town officials with the details of their proposal, and no information on the specific provisions of the Charter that are being changed.
The Ballot Question Raises Unique Legal Questions. The Commissioners agreed that this measure is an attempt to substantially expand the Assembly’s power to spend more money by exempting the body from the provisions of MGL Ch 35 s.28B – the state law that establishes the budgetary and appropriating for counties. The proposal is also inconsistent with our Charter.
There Is More to This Than Meets the Eye: The proponents are suggesting that the ballot question changes are minor designed to simply “clarify” inconsistencies in the current charter. The Commissioners strongly disagree. The changes impact the division of powers between the executive and legislative branches of County government in potentially dangerous ways.
Numerous Supplemental Budgets is Bad Budget Policy. The Commissioners assert that the Assembly’s proposal would allow any delegate to propose more spending at any time. Commissioner Mark Forest commented, “As Commissioners, we have no intention to return to the days when the county would pass numerous spending bills over the course of a year and deplete its reserves. Supplemental appropriation should only be for unexpected expenses & emergencies.”
The county’s financial management under the existing Charter has been praised by Barnstable County’s peers, its auditors, and its financial advisors. Standard and Poor’s just boosted the County’s credit rating to AA+.
According to Standard and Poor’s – “the increase in the rating reflects our view of Barnstable County’s consistently positive financial profile, which has supported a robust build-up in available reserve levels that we expect will likely be maintained above 85% of expenditures given the county’s plans to allocate reserves toward various stabilization funds. They cited the County’s “well-embedded financial practices and policies implemented over the past five years” and our “strong financial performance supporting above-average reserves.”
Ron Bergstrom added, “If the voters pass this proposal, we are concerned about spending down our reserves and missing out on an upgrade to a AAA bond rating. An upgrade, which is clearly within our grasp, will lower the cost to borrow money for important infrastructure and programs and put the County on solid financial footing.”
The Commissioners voted unanimously to urge voters to vote “no” on Question 6.
Read the Barnstable County Commissioners’ statement, which includes Massachusetts General Law c. 35, section 28B and the text of the ballot question here.
County Helps Fund Wellfleet Housing
Today, the Commissioners approved a $1 million ARPA grant for Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc. (POAH) and its entity, POAH Lawrence Hill MM LLC, to support The Residences at Lawrence Hill in Wellfleet. Vaira Harik, Assistant County Administrator, highlighted that this grant is part of a broader initiative, drawing from $11.4 million in ARPA funds designated to address regional housing challenges. The project at 95 Lawrence Road will deliver 46 affordable rental units, offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes for low- and moderate-income families. Designed for net-zero carbon emissions, the development is both sustainable and community-oriented.
This affordable housing project takes a multifaceted approach and leverages strategic partnerships, integrating crucial infrastructure improvements like a MassWorks-funded stormwater project. This enhancement will benefit the broader community, including the nearby fire station, police station, and elementary school. The total cost of the project is approximately $34.4 million, with Barnstable County’s $1 million contribution helping to leverage additional funding. Corey Fellows from POAH noted, “This is a great example of something that can only happen with real local support and willpower,” emphasizing the community-driven effort behind the project.
Update on County’s Herring Population and Regional Restoration Efforts
Abigail Archer, Fisheries & Aquaculture Specialist at the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, updated efforts to restore herring populations through habitat improvements and partnerships with regional Sea Grant programs. These initiatives aim to support Cape Cod’s ecological balance, critical for local fisheries and biodiversity. Archer emphasized the role of herring wardens and the Wampanoag tribe, who work with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and engage in conservation efforts.
In response to declining herring populations, communities have launched restoration projects, with many Cape Cod towns suspending herring harvesting since 2006. Ms. Archer highlighted the stakes, saying, “Pretty much all of our commercially and recreationally important fish species eat river herring—breakfast, lunch, dinner. Restoring our herring runs is about more than just the herring; it’s about feeding the ocean and sustaining the entire ecosystem.”
Investment in Aquaculture Growth and Sustainability
The Commissioners approved a $56,600 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) to the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension’s Southeastern MA Aquaculture Center (SEMAC). This grant will bolster the aquaculture industry through critical efforts in shellfish disease monitoring, water quality testing, and research into emerging species like kelp and surf clams.
Critical Funding for Children’s Cove
The Board approved a $330,000 grant from the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (MACA) to support Children’s Cove, the Cape & Islands Child Advocacy Center. This ongoing funding is crucial for sustaining Children’s Cove’s operations, allowing it to continue providing no-cost services to children and youth who have experienced abuse or exploitation. The grant supports seven staff members, enabling the center to offer forensic interviews, mental health support, community outreach, and advocacy services across Barnstable County, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard in a secure, child-friendly environment.
Letter of Appreciation to Governor Healey
County Commissioners also voted to send a letter of appreciation to Governor Maura Healey, expressing gratitude for her administration’s decision to halt the proposed machine gun range at Joint Base Cape Cod.
“When Cape Cod speaks with one voice, loudly and clearly, there’s nothing that we can’t accomplish,” said Commissioner Mark Forest. “I want to thank my fellow Commissioners for their strong support, as well as our special counsel, Greg McGregor, and his firm. The Assembly’s voice was also crucial in this discussion, and they deserve recognition for their efforts.”
Read the letter to Governor Healey here.
ABOUT BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF CAPE COD: Barnstable County, established in 1685, serves as a regional government for the 15 towns of Cape Cod. It offers solutions to regional challenges, provides essential services, and promotes the health, safety, economic vitality, and environmental protection of its residents, enhancing the quality of life across the Cape. Learn more at www.capecod.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT: Sonja Sheasley, Communications Coordinator Sonja.sheasley@capecod.gov | 508-375-6896
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