06/01/2020 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Agenda Packet

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Explanation: The goal of the wetland restoration project at the abandoned cranberry bog in the Santuit Pond Preserve is to improve the water quality in Santuit Pond and in Shoestring Bay by reducing the amount of phosphorus in Santuit Pond through periodic flooding of the bog and removing portions of active algae blooms. The flooding will allow the source of phosphorus being removed to be incorporated into the wetland plant growth. In Shoestring Bay nitrogen loading would be reduced through the incorporation into plant growth and in the natural nitrogen processes that occur in wetlands. Best management practices would be implemented to prevent any adverse impact to the river herring. The Board of Selectmen recommends approval of Article 8 by a vote of 5-0 FINCOM, This article authorizes the appropriation and transfer of $23,500 from the Community Preservation Fund 10% Open Space/Recreation Reserve to fund the Wetland Restoration of are Abandoned Cranberry Project in the Santuit Pond Preserve. The funds are held in the CPA reserve and will have no impact on the current fiscal year budget. Maintaining our waterways and environment is a critical element of our Community Preservation. The Finance Committee recommends approval of Article 8 by a vote of 6-0 Article 9 To see if the Town gill vote to appropriate and transfer a sum of money (sum to be determined, not to exceed $675,000) from the Community Preservation Fund Budgeted for Appropriation Reserve in accordance with the provisions of M.C.L. Chapter 448, §5 for the purpose of funding the Purchase of the Chopchaque Bog property; 0 Cranberry Lane 11..71.acres (Assessors Map/Parcel 23-2) to -include Surrounding Upland; Undeveloped Lots identified as 4 Cranberry Lane 0.91 acres (Assessors Map/Parcel 23-70), 1.0 Cranberry Lane 0.30 acres (Assessor's Map/Parcel 23-71) and 14 Cranberry Lane 1..06 acres (Assessors Map/Parcel 23-208) Project for Freshwater Wetland Restoration and the Water Quality Improvement of Santuit Pond including necessary costs and expenses related thereto, as recommended by the Community Preservation Committee, or tape any other action relating thereto. Submitted by the Community Preservation Committee The Community Preservation Committee recommends approval of Article 9 by a vote of 9-0. Explanation: The goal of this project is to purchase a privately-owned 1.1..71-acre active cranberry bog with a 43'x30' barn adjacent to Santuit Fond. The project includes the purchase of several surrounding upland properties to encompass a total of 13.98 acres. The project is proposed to restore the bog to natural wetlands to improve water quality in Santuit Pond through freshwater restoration. The bogs would assist to capture phosphorus within Santuit Pond and mitigate nitrogen in the groundwater to diminish loading in Shoestring Bay. The project would also create wildlife habitat and provide open space for passive recreation. Approval of the bog property and upland parcels would eliminate development and create a contiguous 20-acre corridor of open space. Best management practices would be implemented to prevent any adverse impact to the river herring. The Board of Selectmen will make a recommendation on Article 9 at Town Meeting FINCONI: This article ,seeks the appropriation and transfer of an amount not to exceed$675,,000,,from the Community Preservation Fund Budgeted for Appropriation Reserve to purchase the Chopchaque cranberry Bog, and land parcels totaling .13.95 acres, which will be used to capture phosphorus from within Santuit Pond as well as mitigate nitrogen from going to Shoestring Bay: The Finance Committee will make a recommendation on Article 9 at Town Meeting 1�