About Us
Providing a forum for grassroots discussion, coordination, and collaboration to protect the environment and public health.
Our Mission
To support timely remediation of contaminated sites and plumes attributable to historical use of PFAS-containing firefighting chemicals and advocate for impacted individuals and communities in Barnstable and Yarmouth.
Formed in 2023, the Hyannis PFAS Group (HPG) brings together impacted residents, other citizens, municipal officials, and organizations concerned about environmental and human health risks associated with the uncontrolled PFAS plumes emanating from contaminated sites at the former Barnstable County Municipal Fire Training Academy and Cape Cod Gateway Airport.
Our Goals
How We Work
Hyannis PFAS Group provides a forum for grassroots discussion, coordination, and collaboration to protect the environment and public health. Based on grant funding and donations, HPG members are advised by a licensed site professional (LSP) who evaluates PFAS site monitoring and plume modeling reports, and provides expert guidance on site characterization and clean-up.
HPG members meet regularly, plan advocacy and outreach, host public information sessions and webcasts, and provide updates and comments through the media and to public officials.
Our Leadership
Betsy Young
Former President of Greater Hyannis Civic Association. Betsy Young grew up on Cape Cod and has lived and worked in Hyannis for most of her career, beginning in 1981. In 2021, she participated in the Silent Spring Institute’s PFAS and Your Health Study, which indicated significantly elevated PFAS exposure levels. While serving as President of the Greater Hyannis Civic Association, Ms. Young organized and facilitated informational and fact-finding meetings with residents and Town of Barnstable officials to address PFAS contamination concerns. A founding member of HPG, she remains deeply concerned about long-term health impacts and advocates for comprehensive remediation of PFAS plumes.
Rachel Youngling
Vice President of Yarmouth’s Hyannis Park Civic Association. Rachel began vacationing with her family on Cape Cod as an infant and returned yearly to enjoy the beauty and environment of this very special place. In 2001, she moved full time to her home in Yarmouth’s Hyannis Park where she has since served in various leadership roles with the Hyannis Park Civic Association. Rachel is passionate about preserving our local ecosystems and minimizing detrimental impacts on our land, water and air. Her work bridges the intersection of environmental life cycles, music, education and community engagement. Rachel holds a B.A. in Mathematics and Economics and has completed extensive additional studies in statistics, education and childhood development
Linda Bolliger
HPG Community Liaison, former President Yarmouth Hyannis Park Civic Association.
Linda Bolliger has been involved with PFAS advocacy since 2021, following a Harvard School of Public Health study on elevated PFAS levels in Yarmouth’s Mill Creek. As former president of the Hyannis Park Civic Association, she sought answers from Cape Cod Gateway Airport and Barnstable County officials regarding site remediation. As a founding member of HPG, she is determined to hold all sources accountable. Linda holds a B.S. in Biology, a Masters in Business Administration, and has been a Cape Cod resident since 2001.
Tom Cambareri
Principal, Sole Source Consulting, LLC & HPG Licensed Site Professional.
Tom Cambareri is a hydrogeologist and the proprietor of Sole Source Consulting, LLC. He previously served as Director of Water Resources at the Cape Cod Commission for 30 years, where he specialized in drinking water protection and restoration, wastewater management, and maintaining both coastal and freshwater quality. For three decades, Mr. Cambareri acted as the Licensed Site Professional of record for the County’s groundwater remediation efforts addressing Hydrocarbons, MTBE, Perchlorate, and PFAS contamination at the County’s Fire Training Academy.
Mr. Cambareri offers expertise in hydrogeologic assessments for water supply, wastewater management, effluent disposal, water quality, and groundwater modeling. He is a Licensed Site Professional and a Certified Groundwater Professional, with 46 years of dedicated experience addressing Cape Cod’s groundwater challenges.
Chris Powicki
Chair, Sierra Club Cape Cod & Islands Group.
Chris Powicki is an energy and environmental consultant, educator, and advocate. After moving to the Cape in 2000, he began wondering whether environmental contaminants contributed to cases of dementia and breast cancer experienced by close relatives who’d lived in the Hyannis area since the 1960s. He closely followed Silent Spring’s work on emerging contaminants, independently and then through Sierra Club’s Cape Cod & Islands Group. In May 2023, Sierra Club hosted a talk on Hyannis area PFAS contamination, with stories told by local residents highlighting needs for community-based advocacy. He is a founding member of the Hyannis PFAS Group.
Stay Informed. Stay Protected.
PFAS contamination is an evolving situation in our community, with health risks and plumes that continue to spread through our aquifer. Fill out the form to join our mailing list to receive: