09/30/1996 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds $85,000 to the Waterways Improvement Account to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen, or take any other action relating thereto. Submitted by the Waterways Commission Explanation: The Mashpee River has filled with black muck to the point where water quality is degraded and navigation is restricted to very shallow draft watercraft. The river also suffers from a high count of coliform bacteria resulting in shellfish bed closures during most of the year. Dredging can improve the flushing rate and improve navigation, but dredging the Mashpee River alone is unlikely to increase the flushing rate as desired. For flushing to occur, the water depth must continually increase from the upper reaches of the Mashpee River to the mouth of the river and continuing across Popponesset Bay to Nantucket Sound. Ockway Bay has also filled with black muck, and has very little water at low tide. The Coast Guard will no longer allow the placement of navigation aids to define a channel because of the shallow depth. The public boat ramp at the head of the bay leads people to believe the water is navigable, but it is only suitable for very shallow draft boats. Obtaining permits to dredge these bodies of water will require professional engineering services to survey the area and water depths, sample the sediments, determine the options for disposal of the dredging spoils and obtain many permits. Recommendation: The Finance Committee will make a recommendation at Town Meeting. Motion to be made by Jim Hanks. Motion: I move the Town vote to appropriate and transfer from revenue available for appropriation $85,000 to the Waterways Improvement Account, said funds to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. 20