05/06/2019 Special Town Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Explanation: The goal of this project is to create a cold-water fishery in the Upper Childs River and to restore the abandoned Garner and Farley cranberry bogs to wetlands. The scope of this project encompasses approximately 40-acres of land and water located in the Towns of Mashpee and Falmouth. The project would rehabilitate 1.5 miles of the Upper Childs River and restore 15.1 acres of abandoned cranberry bogs in both towns. The conservation and restoration project would provide recreational opportunities such as hiking, bird watching, nature viewing, and future catch and release fishing. With the restoration of the wetlands as a natural water filtration system water quality would improve in the community watersheds. In the event of severe storms and sea level rise, the improved wetlands would act as water storage areas to reduce the effects of flooding. The Town of Mashpee Board of Selectmen and its Town Meeting have agreed to a 30-year lease of the 24.7acre Garner Bog to the Falmouth Rod & Gun Club. The entire project lies within the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge, and the Town of Falmouth has given unanimous support to this project. The estimated construction cost is nearly $2 million. Over $750,000 in grant funding has been secured. The Mashpee CPA contribution would be used to rehabilitate the Upper Childs River and restore the two Garner Bogs. The Community Preservation Committee recommends approval of Article 7 by a vote of 7- 0-1. The Board of Selectmen recommends approval of Article 7 by a vote of 3-0-1. The Finance Committee recommends approval of Article 7 by a vote of 6-0. Motion made by Selectman John Cahalane. Motion: I move the Town vote to appropriate and transfer the sum of $240,510 from the Community Preservation Fund 10% Open Space/Recreation Reserve in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 44B, §5 for the purpose of funding the Garner Bogs/Upper Childs River Restoration Project,including necessary costs and expenses related thereto,as recommended by the Community Preservation Committee. Motion passes unanimously at 7:26 PM. 7