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P. . <br /> Chairman Mills invited Ava Costello, Chair of the Historical Commission, to speak about the site. Ms. <br /> Costello stated that the site offered tremendous meaning and value to different people. Ms. Costello <br /> stated that it was critical to preserve, restore and maintain the historic features of the Town of <br /> Mashpee. Ms. Costello emphasized that the site fit the bill and once the site was destroyed, it would be <br /> destroyed forever. The Historical Commission wished to keep the site open for the Town. The Chair <br /> added that the Historical Commission was also working on a plan to adjoin the parks. Ms. Costello <br /> indicated that the Conservation Commission had expressed interest in maintaining the gardens but that <br /> the Historical Commission wished to develop the Voices of Mashpee and maintain a portion of the <br /> garden area to develop a park atmosphere with recognition Revolutionary War memorials. Mr. Fudala <br /> stated that the property had been purchased with Cape Cod Land Bank funds and it was not placed in <br /> the care of the Conservation Commission to leave open the possibility of rebuilding the Attaquin <br /> Hotel. <br /> Chairman Mills introduced Frank Lord, who had been deeply involved with the history of Mashpee, <br /> and who shared photographs of the historic hotel. Mr. Fudala confirmed that the foundation of the ice <br /> house remained on site. Chairman Mills shared the story of Joseph Jefferson who visited the area and <br /> went fishing with the Chair's grandfather along with other historical facts about the site. <br /> Michael Talbot, serving as the Chair of the Environmental Oversight Committee and President of the <br /> Mashpee Environmental Coalition;announced that both groups had voted to preserve Mashpee's <br /> community gardens. Mr. Talbot explained the value of reclaiming land and making it productive and <br /> available to the community, to become a community resource and valuable asset. Mr. Talbot stated <br /> that MEC would work with the Town to revitalize the pollinator and community gardens. Mr. Talbot <br /> felt that the Ashumet site would be a better fit due to its other recreational opportunities. <br /> Katelyn Cadoret of the Conservation Department, stated that the Conservation Commission had been <br /> responsible for the Community Gardens for the past two seasons, but more recently, had been advised <br /> to leave them in limbo while being considered for a pickle ball court. Ms. Cadoret discussed the <br /> benefits of the pollinator garden,,as both a food and nesting source. Mr. Fudala inquired whether there <br /> was a Mashpee Garden Club, but it was noted that there was not. Mr. Fudala also inquired whether <br /> higher fences were necessary, with a locked gate, out of concern for theft. Mr. Talbot confirmed that <br /> there was interest in establishing both a children's garden as well as a garden to generate food for the <br /> food pantry. Protection of the gardens had been an issue discussed, and the possibility of placing <br /> cameras for security. Ms. Baird stated that if there was food growing and people taking the food, more <br /> community garden space should be set aside to make food available to the people who needed it. <br /> Chairman Mills referenced the Revolutionary War and the VietnamWar, noting that there were no <br /> recordings or statues and suggested that there was a place for such monuments at the park. <br /> Additionally, the Chair indicated that Wampanoag men were whalers and suggested that the site could <br /> be memorialized with a wetu or longhouse. <br /> The Chair asked for a motion to close the discussion. <br /> MOTION: Mr. Hyde made a motion that the Mashpee Historic District Commission strongly <br /> recommends that the fences and asphalt for pickle ball be placed in a different location than the <br /> Historic District. Ms. Baird seconded the motion. All voted unanimously. <br /> 3 <br />