1971-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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58 Report of Conservation Commission Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Mashpee The Conservation Commission is pleased to report it has had an interesting and productive year. We have been hold- ing regular monthly meetings on the third Thursday of the month, and additional meetings when necessity required, with the Planning Board, Board of Selectmen and individuals re- quiring compliance letters and recommendations. New legislation has been enacted during 1971 which will broaden the powers of the Commission. They are now re- quired to hold hearings on the Hatch Act (control of inland waters) and forward their recommendations to the Depart- ment of Natural Resources. Chapter 893 has been enacted to further define and regulate the powers of the Commission. It provides the authority for the Commission to appoint a Town Forest Committee after approval of Town Meeting. It also provides a more definitive guide to the "Conservation Plan" to make it more consistent with the Town Master Plan jl and relative regional plans. The Ford Foundation has announced a program of grants to assist municipal Conservation Commissions. Under this program your Commission may apply for -a grant up to $5,000.00. This grant may be used for a broad range of pro- grams with the exception of purchase of land. In cooperation with the Planning Board, we have obtained Conservation Restrictions or Easements and are continuing our efforts, particularly in sub=divisions where Waterways are affected. Mr. Richard Latouche has agreed to negotiate a restriction in his proposed sub-division on all lots bordering the Mashpee River. We have been informed that the Town will be the recipi- ent of a gift by Mr. Benedict S. Alper of about 40 acres of land on John's Pond for Conservation purposes. Negotiations are expected to be finalized by mid-February 1972 if not sooner.