11/16/2017 COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT COMMITTEE Minutes

Home Browse Search

4 Community Preservation Committee Minutes November 16, 2017 Mashpee Conservation Commission/Mashpee Planning Board/Mashpee DPW Catherine Laurent, Andrew McManus-Mashpee Greenway/Quashnet River Path and Footbridge_ Catherine Laurent, Director of Public Works reviewed the funding request submitted by the Planning Board, Department of Public Works and Conservation Department to complete the Mashpee Greenway/Quashnet River Path and Footbridge project. The Community Preservation Committee was noted to have approved funding in the amount of$84,800 for this project at the May 2016 Special Town.Meeting. An engineering firm hired by the Town of Mashpee for this project completed a comprehensive review of the project in July 2017 with the assistance of the Planning Board, DPW and Conservation Department to determine the most favorable option to design and construct the bridge. Options under consideration included the use of steel, aluminum, fiberglass and timber. It was determined that a hybrid design consisting of aluminum and timber would be the most advantageous for the bridge. As a result of a construction oversight, and bridge specifications, an additional cost of$110,000 is necessary to complete this project. To date, funding in the amount of$17,000 has been secured through Task 3 which includes existing conditions, survey,borings and bridge construction options. A $1,200 invoice is forthcoming from Tighe & Bond engineers to complete the 3rd task of this project. Town Manager Rodney C. Collins has requested the project be placed on hold until additional funding has been secured for this project. The total estimated cost of the project is now $193,748. Community Preservation Committee member and Planning Board representative Mary Waygan indicated the engineering firm; Tighe and Bond had issues with the initial proposal as it relates to the span of the bridge and the approach to cross the river to avoid wetland impacts. It is hopeful the project would move forward to increase the oversight regarding the bridge span which is an important part of this project. It was noted the Town of Falmouth owns contiguous property and is expected to connect trails from this area to Falmouth. Residents and others from Falmouth would hike to Mashpee to enjoy the natural resources and amenities offered by the Town of Mashpee. From the Mashpee Middle/High School, the bridge over the river would connect to existing trails and allow for access to the Mashpee Library, Senior Center, and Mashpee Commons shopping areas. This endeavor is a part of the Mashpee Greenway Plan previously presented by the Planning Board. A bridge span of 35 feet with two 10 foot approaches on each side is required to comply with wetland regulations and compliance with stream crossing standards. It is currently unclear if the new bridge would be installed by the AmeriCorps volunteers. To scale the project back, it is desirable for the AmeriCorps volunteers to construct the bridge.