BARNSTABLE – The Route 6 rest stop bathrooms between exits 6 and 7 eastbound could be closed down if a recommendation from the Cape Cod Economic Development Council is approved by the Barnstable County Commission.
Officials are weighing whether it’s worth spending the $42,000 a year to clean the facility. The cost of operation has increased in recent years, up from $10,000, according to Commission Chair Mary Pat Flynn.
The money for the facility comes from the Cape and Islands license plate fund. The state is responsible for mowing the area, but the remaining maintenance cost falls on the county.
The EDC argues that the funding is not being used for economic development, but rather maintenance. Their suggestion is to put the money toward grants more aligned with development.
The county also considered slashing funding for the rest area a few years ago, but decided against it at the request of the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce.
Proponents of keeping the stop up and running note that it’s the only true rest area eastbound between the Sagamore Bridge and the Orleans rotary, a 36 mile stretch.
The Commission is expected to take up the matter again in two weeks, after gauging the opinion of Barnstable and Yarmouth officials.
By MATT McCARTHY, CapeCod.com NewsCenter
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