02/25/2019 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Agenda Packet

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EDRAFT 6 Board of Selectmen Minutes February 11, 2019 APPOINTMENTS &HEARINGS Public Hearing: Expansion of Existing Shellfish Aquaculture License (Shellfish Grant Mark C. Burtis, 53 Nehoiden Road,Mashpee MA: (continued) Mr. Barton also related concern with regards to the noise from power washing, and the visibility of black plastic from all vistas close to the pond. Boaters will avoid this area and it would become an exclusion zone. The public areas will never revert back to recreational use. This is a big consideration for future generations. It was recommended the Town form its own nitrogen mitigation plan. And further, approval of this project would have a lasting impact and it is unclear if this could be reversed if it is approved. Susan Simmons, 105 Monomoscoy West stated she is upset and concerned, The pond is a great joy. The public owns the water and it should not be given to a commercial business. The health and safety of the pond is a concern Ms. Simmons addressed by noting the growing cages would have a negative impact on the eco-system, prevent the growth of eel grass and would attract birds which would increase the pollution in the pond. In addition to the unsightly project,properties may be devalued. Jacques Morin, 11 Hamblin Road indicated he cannot support this project in the waterway. Many residents use Hamblin Pond for boating, kayaking and for the pleasant views the abutting conservation lands provide. Mr. Morin indicated we all recognize the benefits of shellfish aquaculture: It is tantamount and seven-fold of a grant 1-acre in size. This is the size of 7 football fields with floating bags, each the size of Gillette Stadium. Mr. Morin stated that Hamblin Pond belongs to all residents of the pond. Mr. Morin also stated this area is critical and sensitive to nitrogen loading. The Town should address where the problem originates and sewer these areas. Without a proper flow, the waters become eutrophic. Dredging with large culverts would significantly increase tidal flow. It was suggested that culverts be added at the road bridge between Jehu and Hamblin Ponds. It was noted that correspondence was received from Peter Thomas, Chair of the Shellfish Commission in support to the grant request stating there are no adverse effects to native shellfish populations in this area and the Shellfish Division does not plan to utilize the area for shellfish seeding in the future. Stephen Nickerson, 17 Childs Road off Monomoscoy Island indicated he drove 100 miles to attend tonight's meeting in support of Hamblin Pond as a beautiful and scenic location. Mr.Nickerson urged the Board to not move forward with the shellfish grant as it would degrade the pond and become an oyster farm wasteland. Mr. Nickerson stated there is no reason and no urgency to move forward with the proposal. Ashley Fisher, Mashpee's Shellfish Constable indicated the upper section is the added area to the shellfish farm. The maximum amount of shellfish gown in a 7-acre nursery setting is 10% or 30,492 square feet as allowed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Burtis has a permit for 45,000 square feet. Two growing areas, rectangular in shape amount to 15,246 square feet per section. The maximum under federal laws is 30,000 square feet which is i/2 the size of a football field. This is what would be visible from the surface. Being no further comment, the Board took action to close the Public Hearing.