12/21/2015 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

Home Browse Search

6 Board of Selectmen Minutes December 21, 2015 NEW BUSINESS Discussion of Design Review Committee membership and vacancies: (continued) Motion made by Selectman Gottlieb to appoint Mike Mendoza to the Design Review Committee until the end of the fiscal year, and advertise for the additional vacancies; architect or landscape architect and civil engineer as recommended. Motion seconded by Selectman Sherman. VOTE: Unanimous. 5-0. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Cahalane, yes Selectman Sherman, yes Selectman Gottlieb, yes Selectman O’Hara, yes Selectman Cotton, yes Opposed, none Review and approval of Memorandum of Understanding for the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge: Andrew McManus, Conservation Agent was in attendance to discuss the importance of partnering with the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation to strategize for improved collaboration for the future management of the Mashpee Wildlife Refuge. Roles of the partners which also include the Town of Falmouth, the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Falmouth Rod and Gun Club, Inc., the Orenda Wildlife Land Trust, the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribal Council and Friends of the Mashpee Wildlife Refuge include communication protocols, management processes, and access. Mr. McManus indicated the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) originally executed by the partners in 1995 is completely non-binding. With respect to this Agreement, there are no funds obligated. Benefits include habitat management and improvement and wildfire abatement. It was explained that proactive land management has benefited the Town of Mashpee greatly. Funds have been received and expended to protect the NE Cottontail which has recently been removed from the endangered species list. The population of the Northern Long Eared Bat in decline has shown recovery on the Cape. With regards to prescribed burns it was noted the wildfire abatement has enhanced the safety of properties abutting the refuge and has assisted the Town of Mashpee in fire safety training. Tom Eagle, Deputy Refuge Manager of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discussed the importance and benefit of the MOU as it relates to the Town of Mashpee. Advantages to the partnership include the management of protected land, improved wildlife habitat and reducing the risk of wildfire with prescribed burns and tree thinning. Other attributes include habitat protection, and stream restoration.