BARNSTABLE – Funding for the Route 6 eastbound rest area between exits 6 and 7 has once again become an issue.
Barnstable County Commissioner Chairman Leo Cakounes said this week that he wants the funding mechanism evaluated.
The county has been funding maintenance of the facility in recent years, but Cakounes says it’s time for some other group or groups to step up to the table.
“I agreed to funding it for one more year in the hopes that we would put a fire on some people to actually move forward and do something out there,” said Cakounes.
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce CEO Wendy Northcross is expected to address commissioners next week to talk about potential funding options.
Both Cakounes and fellow Commissioner Ron Beaty agreed that the rest area needs to stay open – but different funding options need to be examined.
Barnstable County committed $30,000 last year to keep the rest area open for the 2016 summer season.
“There are people out there that will do the right thing, but funding is really, really an issue on this particular situation,” said Cakounes. “We really need to see a long term plan for that rest area out there.”
The money is needed to staff, clean up and maintain the facility – which is the only rest area on Route 6 eastbound with bathroom facilities between the Sagamore Bridge and the Orleans Rotary.
In the past year, county and local tourism officials had wondered if a commercial operation could be located in the rest area, similar to other stops along roads like the Mass Pike.
By JUSTIN SAUNDERS and MATT PITTA, CapeCod.com Newscenter
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