07/18/2022 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

3 Mashpee Select Board Minutes July 18, 2022 NEW BUSINESS Discussion of Oplaortunties to mCollaboratevrvon,Fundinu forµ Water (' Mualit. F_ImJrovementw„amend Open Space Agquisition: Discussion followed regarding opportunities to collaborate on funding for water quality improvement and open space acquisition. The Town of Mashpee was noted to have access to State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans for wastewater projects. In Phase I the Town has access to 0% loans and 25% principal forgiveness loans from the Cape & Islands Water Quality Trust Fund for wastewater infrastructure. The Town also allocates 2% or $900,000 per year in WIIF funding for wastewater projects. Federal sources of funds are available through a loan process, favorable for joint projects relative to wastewater initiatives. Mashpee is currently a Tier 1 community and is therefore eligible for federal funding. The Community Preservation Committee allocates funding to the Town for affordable housing and preservation as well as open space projects. The Town has direct access to these monies. This represents further collaborative opportunities to join resources with the Tribe. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has access to federal grants as well. There is potential funding from the EPA for different types of water quality projects. This would include funds to support clean water with shellfish propagation, and ways to remove pollutants from the ponds. From an Aboriginal perspective the Tribe requires these types of projects to survive. It was agreed the Town and Tribe would move forward to collaborate on grant funding initiatives for water quality improvements and open space acquisition through Town Officials and the Tribe's Department of Natural Resources. Grant funding is offered by The Silent Spring for clean water, monitoring and sampling projects. It was agreed a collaborative effort would favorably assist both entities in attaining federal grant funding. However, it was noted projects are highly specific and many do not provide for internal requirements. Most of the grants received by the Tribe provide 80-85% in project funding. There is a need to be strategic when applying for grant funding. The Tribe holds grant writing workshops and agreed to host workshops with the Town to further collaborate on this endeavor. Priority projects include the restoration of the Quashnet River, and the Redbrook Road culvert to restore the wetland area.