Xiarhos advocates for use of federal funds for Cape Cod infrastructure projects

November 23, 2021

BOSTON – State Representative Steve Xiarhos (R – 5th Barnstable) sent a letter to state and federal officials on Tuesday, asking for cooperation to make sure Cape Cod receives its fair share of federal spending to support infrastructure needs.

“As a State Representative, I see it as my job to make sure I advocate for the 5th Barnstable District and its residents to receive as much benefit as possible following the passage of federal spending bills,” Xiarhos said. “The question of whether this money will be spent is no longer up for debate; these bills were passed into law by Congress. Now, the mission is to make sure Cape Cod residents reap the benefit of this spending and get their fair share of money allocated for local projects. We have extremely important infrastructure needs here on Cape Cod, and these needs should be addressed with new spending being undertaken.”

In his letter, Xiarhos cites several different areas in need of prioritized spending, including:

  • Adequate funds for the replacement of the Bourne and Sagamore Cape Cod Canal bridges. “I ask that you please join with me in supporting sufficient funding for this important infrastructure project so that work can begin to replace these bridges as soon as possible,” Xiarhos said.
  • Measures to bolster the resiliency of coastal areas. “I have personally spoken with countless local residents who deal with flooding on a regular basis and whose homes are in danger of slipping into the sea… It is extremely important for us to take bold action to protect homeowners and their property, both now and in the future,” Xiarhos said.
  • Funding to address wastewater and drinking water issues on Cape Cod, including safeguards to remove Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from drinking water and the food chain. “Of all the infrastructure projects we have in front of us, issues with wastewater and the quality of our drinking water are perhaps most closely-related to the everyday health of Cape Cod residents,” Xiarhos said.
  • Efforts to improve broadband access for Cape Cod residents. “Broadband improves public safety through more reliable communication, it enhances business and commercial interests, and it improves the delivery of education services to our students. The more than 200,000 year-round residents of Cape Cod need quality broadband access to fuel all of these needs, now and in the future,” Xiarhos said.
  • Public safety needs, including the construction of new fire stations in Bourne, Barnstable, and Plymouth, and additional funding for more behavioral health and addiction facilities to help keep Cape Cod residents healthy amidst the dangers of substance use.
  • Additional funding for the creation of affordable housing here on Cape Cod. “It is vitally important that we keep Cape Cod a place that is affordable for people to live, work and raise a family. Having adequate and quality affordable housing resources available is an especially important part of this equation,” Xiarhos said.

In his letter, which was sent to United States Senators Markey and Warren, Congressman Keating, and Governor Baker, Xiarhos offered to serve as a liaison between local communities and government agencies to make sure adequate funding is dedicated to specific local projects over time.

###

November 23, 2021

Dear Senator Markey, Senator Warren, Congressman Keating and Governor Baker:

My understanding is that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is currently slated to receive nearly $14 billion in supplemental federal funding. These funds include nearly $5 billion associated with pandemic relief measures, a portion of which is still being debated by the Legislature. They also include about another $9 billion of transportation and infrastructure funds recently approved by President Biden.

Despite my personal concerns about the fiscal responsibility of this spending, the passage of these bills into law means the primary question now is not whether this money will or should be spent, but rather how and where these appropriated funds will be dedicated. I expect there will be continued debate in coming months as to exactly which individual projects should be funded on the local level. This is an important conversation for all involved.

I am writing to you as the State Representative representing the 5th Barnstable District of Massachusetts (Sandwich and portions of Bourne, Barnstable, and Plymouth) to advocate and respectfully request your cooperation in making sure that Cape Cod and its residents receive significant disbursement of federal funds for several important projects.

First, I request your assistance in making sure that adequate funds are dedicated to the replacement of the two Cape Cod Canal bridges in Bourne and Sagamore. These bridges are vital transportation links for Cape Cod, not only serving as a gateway for the summer tourist economy on which the Cape relies, but also providing a link for local commerce. As the bridges age, they not only threaten to undermine the economic vitality of Cape Cod, but also endanger the public safety of Cape Cod residents as they travel to and from the mainland. I ask that you please join with me in supporting sufficient funding for this important infrastructure project so that work can begin to replace these bridges as soon as possible.

Second, I request your assistance in dedicating funds to help with measures to bolster the resiliency of our coastal areas. I have personally spoken with countless local residents who deal with flooding on a regular basis and whose homes are in danger of slipping into the sea. Forecasts of rising sea levels in coming years pose an ominous threat for an area such as Cape Cod with extremely flat topography and extensive low-lying areas. It is extremely important for us to take bold action to protect homeowners and their property, both now and in the future.

Third, I am asking that you take action to dedicate funding to address wastewater and drinking water issues on Cape Cod. Of all the infrastructure projects we have in front of us, issues with wastewater and the quality of our drinking water are perhaps most closely-related to the everyday health of Cape Cod residents. Aging infrastructure on Cape Cod needs to be addressed and systems need to be upgraded or replaced to adequately handle current needs and uses. These systems also need to be designed to accommodate increased use in future years as development puts more strain on available resources. We also require additional safeguards to protect against environmental contamination by Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). The intrusion of these long-lasting, harmful chemicals into our drinking water, our oceans, and our food chain is of particular concern on Cape Cod, where we have such a fragile seashore ecosystem.

Fourth, I ask you to also consider more modern needs as you dedicate infrastructure dollars to our state, and that efforts be made to improve broadband access for Cape Cod residents. With each passing year, our residents rely more and more on fast, reliable Internet service as part of their daily lives. Broadband improves public safety through more reliable communication, it enhances business and commercial interests, and it improves the delivery of education services to our students. The more than 200,000 year-round residents of Cape Cod need quality broadband access to fuel all of these needs, now and in the future.

Fifth, I humbly suggest that certain infrastructure funds be dedicated directly to public safety needs in our communities. These needs are numerous. Of note, Bourne, Barnstable and Plymouth particularly need new fire stations / public safety buildings. Aside from basic functionality for the provision of services, having a modern building is important for preventing cancer due to occupational hazards by allowing for proper ventilation and also the cleaning of gear after exposure to carcinogens at an incident. I also encourage you to remember the ongoing struggle our region has with overdose deaths. We are in desperate need of additional funding for more behavioral health and addiction facilities to help keep Cape Cod residents safe and healthy.

Sixth, I respectfully ask that you consider ways to allocate additional funding for the creation of affordable housing here on Cape Cod. This is an important economic and quality of life concern for Cape Cod residents. It is vitally important that we keep Cape Cod a place that is affordable for people to live, work and raise a family. Having adequate and quality affordable housing resources available is an especially important part of this equation. We also need to make sure we honor commitments to our veterans and provide them with affordable housing opportunities when they return back home.

Thank you for your attention to these comments. I look forward to working along with you to make sure that appropriated funds are spent in a way that adequately meets the ever-evolving infrastructure needs of Cape Cod residents. I also invite you or members of your staff to use my office as a local resource with regard to these projects, and to serve as a liaison with local officials and other important stakeholders.

Sincerely,

Steven G. Xiarhos
State Representative, 5th Barnstable District