1995-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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"DEM"Commissioner Peter C. Webber and several of Further that the parking lot of the "Facility, is set his staff, "Committee" Chairman Morris Kirsner, back a sufficient distance from the waters edge so that 'I Esquire, Committee members William Martiros, Jerry the established dune system will provide a formidable Monaghan, Catherine Conroy,C.Ben Lofchie, Francis buffer from storm erosion. It provides more parking H. LeBaron and John W. Cramer Jr., Barbara Gannon spaces, namely 200. Also,although there is no view of I "Committee" Secretary and the general public. the water from the parking area it has a pedestrian boardwalk to the beach, a seating and observation deck It was a gratifying moment for the"Committee"and area accommodating about 25 to 30 people about 120 others who had dedicated so much effort and time in feet from the surf line and is adequately accessible to pursuit of this objective. the elderly and disabled. Under the provisions of the South Cape Beach It has been indicated that a similar Article will be Development Agreement between the Town and presented to Town Meeting in the future. "DEM" dated December 1990 the Town has an option to elect to take the "Facility" as its Town Beach and GREAT OAK ROAD relinquish the current Town Beach to the State as part of various land exchanges provided for in the June R. Gregory Taylor, Director Public Works reports 1981 Agreement as amended. "DEM" would then that "the clearing and construction of the 32 foot wide restore the current Town Beach to its natural state, Great Oak Road has been completed. The two inch I namely sand dune. This option must be exercised by binder course of asphalt paving is in place and addi- the Town in or within five years from the date of the tional drainage has been provided in various locations. completion of the"Facility". It is anticipated that in April or May some remaining There was presented to the citizens of Mashpee for drainage and road shoulder improvements will be made their consideration at the Fall Town Meeting held on and then the final top course of asphalt will be placed. October 2, 1995, Article 14, which provided in sub- The entire roadway should be complete in June of 1996 stance "To see if the Town will vote to authorize the from Red Brook Road to the entry of the South Cape Board of Selectmen to exercise the option held by the Beach". Town as set forth in paragraph 3 of the "South Cape Beach Development Agreement to accept the "Facili- The construction of the"Facility"and completionof ty)"as the new Town beach and then proceed with var- improvements to Great Oak Road represent two major ious land exchanges including a transfer of the current objectives that the "Committee" and others have dili- Town Beach to the State". gently pursued for many years. It is extremely gratify- ing to the"Committee" and past members to reach this The"Committee"unanimously supported this Article point. It represents fulfillment by "DEM" of two of its and recommended its approval, as did the Board of major obligations as set forth in the Agreement as Selectmen,certain Town officials and others.This article amended of June 1981 between the Town and"DEM". was however opposed by various of the voting public. The "Committee" will now direct its attention and After extended discussion although a majority of the address the following important matters: voters favored transferring ownership of the Town Beach for the "Facility", the Article did not pass as it (1) TEN ACRE SITE ON GREAT RIVER required a two thirds vote. The vote was 141 to 108. WAQUOIT BAY The "Committee" will seek fulfill. ment of the obligation of"DEM" as set forth in Para- A major reason advanced for retaining the current graph #17 of the Agreement dated June 1981 as Town Beach was that the "Facility" lacked a view of amended dated June 1981 between the Town and the ocean as enjoyed at the current Town Beach and "DEM"which obligates"DEM"to reserve and provide f that families with children would have to travel a to the Town of Mashpee a suitable site on Great River, greater distance to the beach.It was also contended that Waquoit Bay for construction of a boat launch/pier the waters at the"Facility"in certain areas were unsafe. facility. The area or site is to be no less than ten acres with access to and from Wills Work Road. "DEM"is The major arguments supporting the transfer and further obligated to construct an improved access road approval of the Article was that the current Town to said facility and to seek in behalf of the Town such Beach was built on a sand dune and subject to being State funds that are available for municipal boat destroyed by erosion or a severe storm. That in such launching facilities. "DEM" has also agreed to initiate case the Town would likely be left without a Town and support legislation transferring title of said site to Beach.It appears that 46 spaces have already been lost. the Town of Mashpee. In the event however, that such legislation fails to pass, "DEM" will lease such land to i;.,. 130 i