9/14/2020 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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6 Board of Selectmen Minutes September 14, 2020 OLD BUSINESS Discussion Action and Execution of the October 19 2020 Annual Town Meeting Warrant: Discussion of Adding or Amending and Recommending Approval of the Following Articles: (continued) Adding an Article#20 re: Gooseberry Island: Article 20 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by gift, purchase and/or eminent domain taking pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 79, or any other enabling authority, a certain parcel of land known as Gooseberry Island and designated on Mashpee Assessors' Map 100 as Block 6, located in Mashpee, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, consisting of 3.80 acres, more or less, and more accurately described in the deed filed for registration with the Barnstable County Land Court District as Document # 1,272,958 with Certificate #195170, and as shown on Land Court Plan # 25209-A; said land to be acquired for open space, conservation and passive recreation purposes, consistent with the provisions of Mass. Gen. Laws. Ch. 40, Section 8C and Article 97 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; to appropriate and transfer from available funds in the Community Preservation Fund, in accordance with the provisions of Mass. Gen. Laws. Ch.4413 Section 5, a sum of money, to be determined upon appraisal of the subject land, for the acquisition of said land, including any incidental fees, costs and expenses related thereto, as recommended by the Community Preservation Committee; to authorize the Board of Selectmen and the Conservation Commission to apply for, accept and expend any funds which may be provided by the Commonwealth or other public or private sources to defray a portion or all of the costs of acquiring said property and to authorize the Board of Selectmen and/or the Conservation Commission to enter into all agreements and execute any and all instruments on behalf of the Town as may be necessary to effect this acquisition or to effect restrictions upon the use of said land upon such terms and conditions as the Selectmen shall deem to be in the best interest of the Town, or take any other action relating thereto. Submitted by Board of Selectmen Explanation: This Article seeks to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire title to the property identified as Gooseberry Island, a 3.8 acre island located in Popponesset Bay off Punkhorn Point between Popponesset Bay and the mouth of the Mashpee River, for open space, conservation and passive recreation purposes. The Article further seeks an appropriation of Community Preservation Act funds for the acquisition of said land, including any incidental fees, costs and expenses relating thereto, pursuant to the recommendation of the Community Preservation Committee. Gooseberry Island has for many years been classified as a Private Land of Conservation Interest in the Town's Open Space, Conservation and Recreation Plan. The Plan places a high priority on public acquisition and preservation of properties in Mashpee which provide scenic landscapes and vistas, particularly properties located on bodies of water or affording water views. Due to its location, Gooseberry Island offers spectacular vistas of Popponesset Bay, Ockway Bay and the Mashpee River. The acquisition of this property would also further the Town's interest in preserving the natural beauty and qualities of rapidly diminishing open, natural spaces in the Town and in enhancing the water quality in coastal areas. Lands acquired with Community Preservation Funds for the acquisition, creation, and preservation of open space must be permanently restricted by a recorded instrument limiting the use thereof to open space/natural resources protection purposes.