BARNSTABLE – Barnstable County officials are taking a step which could lead to the privatization of services provided to motorists at the Route 6 eastbound rest area in Barnstable.
County commissioners recently voted to authorize a letter be sent to the region’s federal delegation seeking a waiver which would allow for a public-private agreement for the rest stop.
A public-private partnership would eliminate $40,000 in maintenance costs per year to operate restrooms during the tourist season.
Barnstable County Commissioner’s chair Leo Cakounes said Cape and Islands State Senator Julian Cyr, who has written the letter, has been more than helpful on the issue.
“He’s looking for us to all come together on this,” Cakounes said. “And by us I mean, not only the county commissioners but also the state reps, and try to get the feds to sit down with us.”
The property is owned by MassDOT but a decision to lease the rest area falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Highway Administration.
The letter, which has been signed by Cakounes and Cape Cod legislators in districts near the rest area, will be sent to U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, along with Congressman William Keating.
“This is the federal issue,” Cakounes said. “A very small part of it, but it seems to be the issue that is holding it up.”
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