Andrew Gottlieb.
BARNSTABLE – Dennis is the latest community to applaud the county’s Cape Cod Water Protection Collaborative and is asking the Barnstable County Commissioners to bring back its former executive director.
Selectman Wayne Bergeron read a letter from the board to the commissioners Wednesday calling on them to save the collaborative, which has worked to protect the Cape’s water resources and provide wastewater infrastructure since 2005.
“The research, aid and assistance that the collaborative has provided all the Cape towns has been invaluable to our work in finding a solution to this problem,” Bergeron read. “Wastewater is a very demanding challenge.”
Dennis Selectmen said the collaborative has provided key insights to help the towns navigate the Section 208 Water Quality Plan process and regulations.
The 208 plan aims to steer future decision making related to wastewater challenges and water quality initiatives.
“The open flow of information has helped the towns respond to the wastewater regulations by helping them to find effective solutions to all of the challenges associated with wastewater and meeting 208 plans requirements,” Bergeron read.
The letter also called on the County Commissioners to re-hire Mashpee Selectman Andrew Gottlieb as the collaborative’s executive director.
Gottlieb resigned earlier this month due to a lack of support from the county commissioners.
“Through his many years of service to this agency he has accumulated a wealth of information and knowledge,” Bergeron read. “He has tirelessly worked to share that knowledge with each of the Cape towns, including Dennis.”
The letter stated Gottlieb has “integral knowledge of permitting and requirements, innovative technologies, federal and state regulations and funding legislation.”
Selectmen in Dennis have joined selectmen in Bourne in Eastham who have applauded the collaborative and asked for the commissioners to re-hire Gottlieb.
The calls to save the collaborative might not have any influence on the county commissioners.
Leo Cakounes, the chairman of the county commissioners, said Wednesday that he will bring forward a proposal to cut the counties $502,000 portion of the collaborative’s budget.
Cakounes said the member towns should put more money towards the collaborative as he believes they have more funds in reserves.
By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter
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