2016-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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Report of the Board of Selectmen To the Citizens of the Town of Mashpee: As Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it gives me great pleasure to submit the following report for Calendar Year 2016. This past year was both a busy and productive one, with a heavy focus on improving internal operating procedures and the development of a long-term financial management plan. 2016 saw some significant personnel changes that strengthened our ability to provide high quality services to the people of Mashpee. In March 2016, the Board accepted the resignation of Assistant Town Manager Tom Mayo. We all wished Tom well and thanked him for his meritorious service to the community. Mashpee was very fortunate to be able to hire Wayne Taylor into the Assistant Town Manager position in June. Wayne came to the position with a long history of service to Mashpee and his deep knowledge and easy manner allowed him to hit the ground running. Mashpee also strengthened its personnel ranks by welcoming Alec Turner to the Harbormaster position in July and by promoting Kim Landry to Director of Human Resources in December. Mashpee has a long history of investing in its staff and 2016 saw a continuation of that practice. Maintaining the financial stability of the Town remained a priority. To that end, the Town Manager and his financial team developed a detailed 10 year operating and capital financial plan. The Board has worked closely with the Manager to develop a plan to manage the challenges identified with dual objectives in mind; providing for the long term financial stability of the Town and to be able to responsibly address the emerging needs of the community. Specifically, the Board is committed to maintaining existing services while continuing to maintain Town roads, buildings and public lands, while also addressing long term capital needs such as replacement of the Quashnet School windows and roof and addressing the wastewater management challenges now that the Town has an approved water quality management plan. While it's a complex issue to deal with, the Board embraced management of its finances as the critical challenge of the year. In community developments, the Town signed a new three year contract with Mashpee TV, ensuring continued public access television for the residents of Mashpee. The Board voted to support the concept of the Farley Bog Restoration Project, a unique resource to support wildlife opportunities in addition to being an environmental asset to bring people to Mashpee. The Board voted to support the Town Manager's plan of reorganization to authorize establishment of the Department of Natural Resources, the creation of a Director of DNR, and the transfer of Harbormaster, Shellfish Constable, assistant harbormasters, and water quality monitoring tech from supervision and control of the Police Department to the new DNR. Town Meeting also approved this reorganization, enabling the Town to provide better services and implement its wastewater management plan at lower cost. The Board voted to authorize a joint statement of interest presented by the Town Manager relative to participation in Community Compact Program. Additionally, the Board took the following significant actions: Voted to send letter of intent to FEMA indicating the Town's desire to participate in the Community Rating System (CRS) Executed MOU for participation in the High Water Mark Initiative, a voluntary FEMA program that earns CRS credit, and promotes awareness of and encourages action to mitigate flood risk Executed MOU with Freedom Rows to allow use of John's Pond for an Adaptive/Para Rowing program designed to help veterans and active military members improve their physical and psychological well-being Authorized Town to assume responsibility for payment for electricity and maintenance of 109 Town - owned streetlights on private roads Approved seasonal Farmer's Market/Artisan Market at Community Park Approved bid and authorized commencement of Ockway Bay Dock/Float Replacement Project Renewed 3-year Inter -Municipal Agreement with the Water District Approved memorial site for former Conservation Department employee Diane Lund 0