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11 <br /> Board of Selectmen <br /> Minutes <br /> June 29, 2020 <br /> NEW BUSINESS <br /> Discussion/Action Relative to the Mashpee Wampanoag Land in Trust Proceedings: <br /> Late filed was a discussion followed by action relative to the Mashpee Wampanoag Land in Trust <br /> Proceedings. A draft statement was read into the record for the purposes of discussion with a vote <br /> made by the Board of Selectmen to amend the statement, and authorize a revised statement to be <br /> placed on the official Town of Mashpee letterhead to be executed by the Board of Selectmen Chair <br /> upon revision. <br /> The draft statement as referenced was read into the record; <br /> STATEMENT REGARDING THE MASHPEE WAMPANOAG TRIBE'S <br /> RESERVATION LANDS IN MASSACHUSETTS <br /> [DRAFTJUNE 26, 2020—FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY] <br /> On June 5, 2020, the Federal district court in Washington D.C. ruled that the Department of <br /> the Interior had misapplied the law in determining that it lacked authority to acquire trust land for the <br /> Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. The court remanded the case to the Department for reconsideration and <br /> prohibited the Department from altering the trust or reservation status of the Tribe's land in the <br /> meantime. <br /> The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has been our neighbor for hundreds of years, and the Town <br /> of Mashpee wants that relationship to continue. The Town fully supports the Tribe's efforts to <br /> maintain this reservation in its historic territory. <br /> It is long past time for this uncertainty to be concluded. The Department should take whatever <br /> steps are necessary to protect and preserve the trust and reservation status of the Mashpee <br /> Wampanoag Tribe's land. <br /> The Board of Selectmen agreed to revise the draft language making reference in the second <br /> paragraph; The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has been our neighbor for hundreds of years..... <br /> To honor and respect the homeland of the Tribe and in considering the correctness of the statement it <br /> was agreed the sentence would be modified. <br /> Motion made by Selectman Sherman to authorize the refinement of the language of the <br /> statement, and authorize the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to execute the final draft of <br /> the statement regarding the Town of Mashpee's continued support of the Land in Trust. <br /> Motion seconded by Selectman O'Hara. <br /> VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0-1. <br /> Roll Call Vote: <br /> Selectman Gottlieb,yes Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman O'Hara,yes <br /> Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Weeden, recused Opposed, none <br />