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River"was our battle cry 20 years ago,and it still must We also arranged the donation of 2.43 acres at the
<br /> be. When I was brought to the Town, it was to help Anchor Self-Storage facility on Route 130 to the
<br /> slow down and deal with tremendous growth. While Conservation Commission and continue to work on a
<br /> we have made great strides in preserving land and number of similar donations. As part of the Barrows
<br /> changing regulations since then (we have more than South grant requirements, we also developed an
<br /> 5000 acres of protected open space; our "buildout" updated Management Plan for the Jehu Pond
<br /> population was 66,000 then vs. 22,000 now), we are Conservation Area. To date, I have been involved in
<br /> still amazed and disturbed by the new development protecting over 2800 acres of open space in Mashpee,
<br /> that seems to keep coming, and the traffic and water with more than $4.3 million in state Self-Help grants
<br /> quality impacts that it brings. We now have a secured and more than$19 million of federal and state
<br /> Comprehensive Plan, but we still need to implement open space purchases arranged. While I consider
<br /> its recommendations. We still have our Wampanoag those successful efforts a reward in themselves, I was
<br /> culture and history. Most of all, we are still fiercely surprised and pleased in November to receive the
<br /> proud of our Town and our quality of life, and we want Orenda Wildlife Land Trust's first annual "Founders
<br /> to keep it that way. Award", as well as citations from the State Senate and
<br /> House of Representatives for my contributions to pre-
<br /> Since 1984, I have tried to do what I could to serving open space for wildlife habitat. As I said upon
<br /> make sure the Town has the highest quality planning receiving these awards,there were lots of other people
<br /> advice and standards to help in that effort. With Eric involved, all of whom deserve the credit, including all
<br /> and Myra's help,the Department continued to do so in the voters of Mashpee who have repeatedly voted to
<br /> 2003, working on a wide variety of projects in a great fund open space purchases.
<br /> variety of areas with many Town Boards, developers
<br /> and residents. The Department received two Local
<br /> Comprehensive Plan (LCP) Implementation Grants
<br /> As staff to the Planning Board, the Department from the Cape Cod Commission in the spring.
<br /> was involved in the review and permitting of a number $13,000 was approved to assist in the completion of a
<br /> of subdivision and commercial development projects Housing Development Action Plan. Another $12,000
<br /> during the year, with much of the Department's time was approved for consultant assistance in establishing
<br /> spent on modification requests to previously approved Historic Districts.
<br /> projects, most notably the Windchime Point
<br /> Condominiums and the Southport retirement commu- Eric Smith prepared a Request for Proposals
<br /> nity. We also assisted Les Greig and Mashpee (RFP)to secure a housing consultant for the affordable
<br /> Commons in securing permitting for a much needed housing plan, with a winning bid by McGregor &
<br /> kidney dialysis center at North Market Street. Staff Associates approved by the Selectmen in December.
<br /> also developed a Special Permit review checklist for In the upcoming year, the Department, in conjunction
<br /> the Board in response to the Town's efforts to reduce with the Affordable Housing Committee, and the con
<br /> Public Hearin and sultant will identify Mash ee's affordable housing
<br /> insurance costs and developed a Pub g y p
<br /> Meeting Procedures policy document for the Board's needs and develop a plan to meet them. Having such
<br /> adoption. an adopted plan will allow the Town greater control in
<br /> its review of Chapter 40B projects.
<br /> In addition to assisting the Planning Board with
<br /> permit reviews and other tasks, the Department's gen- We hope to work with the Historic District Study
<br /> eral functions include completing projects assigned by Committee and consultant to complete the process of
<br /> the Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator, establishing Mashpee's first Historic District by the
<br /> including Land Bank and other land acquisition pro- end of 2004.
<br /> jects, developing and updating the Comprehensive
<br /> plan and many specific plans, recommending zoning In addition to securing the housing plan grant,
<br /> and other Town Meeting articles, assisting other Eric worked with members of the Affordable Housing
<br /> boards and committees with their activities and Committee, for which he serves as staff, the Board of
<br /> responding to frequent requests from the public for Appeals,Planning Board and various Town officials in
<br /> information and assistance. drafting a set of zoning changes to allow for accessory
<br /> apartments that can be made available more afford-
<br /> Among our special projects for the year,working ably. The revisions, approved at October 2003 Town
<br /> with the Open Space Committee, were the Land Bank Meeting, reduce the minimum size of each accessory
<br /> Purchases of the 7.5 acre Barrows South" property, unit to 300 square feet,provide a maximum size
<br /> based
<br /> ards.
<br /> for which we secured a 112 430 Self-Help reim- on the gross floor area and specify design stand
<br /> $ , g P Y g
<br /> P
<br /> bursement, and of a 5360 sq. ft. lot off Ashumet Road.
<br /> 110
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