2007-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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Horsley and Witten,our environmental engineer- The mission of the Mashpee Historical ing firm overseeing the Asher's Path Sanitary Landfill, Commission (MHC):is to preserve and maintain the ' will fulfill Mashpee's obligations to oversee the history of Mashpee and identify, evaluate, and protect groundwater, surface water and gas monitoring its cultural heritage, historic records and properties. requirements. Landfill cap inspections are conducted and reports forwarded to the state. Contaminants The MHC had a busy and successful 2007. In remain below levels set by the EPA with the exception October, Town Meeting approved the creation of of arsenic in one well. The regulatory level for arsenic Mashpee's first local historic district along a portion of in groundwater was lowered by the state but the pres- Route 130, the Town's "historic center." MHC ence of the arsenic is considered naturally-occurring Chairperson Lee Gurney and Commissioner Gail and not a threat to human exposure at this time. Slattery served on the Historic District Study Committee and Gail posted a large boundary map and In 2007,the Board adopted a new bare-hand con- photos of the district at the Post Office. Next steps tact regulation for food handlers. This regulation will include the appointment of members for a authorizes the health agents to immediately fine food Historic District Commission, completion of district establishments that are observed handling ready-to-eat guidelines and development of appropriate administra. foods with bare hands. tive and procedural ties to the Planning and Building Departments. The Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment provided the summer bathing beach October Town Meeting also approved a sampling labor and administrative reporting to the town Community Preservation Act (CPA) grant recom- and state. There were two marine closing and two mended by Mashpee's CPA Committee for a recon. fresh-water closings due to high bacteria in Mashpee. naissance-level archeological survey of Mashpee. In the coming year, professional archeologists will help I' In May of 2007, Steven Ball, Board of Health us review and relate known archeological data and member for 15 years did not seek re-appointment. Mr. probably locations of archeological resources to idea- Ball was instrumental in requiring and implementing tify significant themes of historical development from the innovative/alternative septic systems that improve the earliest known Native American settlement to groundwater quality by providing additional treat- AD 1900. This information will help both the MHC ment. Mr. Ball also promulgated regulations that pro- and the Planning Department to develop effective pro- vided a better drinking water source,limited the use of tection of significant archeological resources. pesticides and hazardous materials, and protected wet- land resources. We would like to thank him for his This year MHC has continued to support and years of dedicated service to the Board of Health and work closely with the nonprofit "Friends of the the Town of Mashpee. Schoolhouse" [Mashpee One-Room Schoolhouse Preservation Council or MOSPC]. Commissioner I' In conclusion, as the town continues to develop Frank Lord stepped in as MOSPC president,relieving and town departments are asked to once again level founding president Commissioner Sunny Merritt. fund,we would like to commend our health agents and Frank has expanded membership, set goals, estab administrative staff for their professionalism,conscien- lished sub-committees and conducted other activities adminis p , tiousness and commitment to the residents of our town. to make the Schoolhouse ready for public and school tours. Respectfully submitted, Lucy Burton, Chair The Commission and MOSPC are planning abig L. Glenn Santos Co-chairman change involving the Schoolhouse for 2008. A broad Jocelyn McCree, Clerk consensus agreed that relocating this tiny, imp octant building closer to the Archives Building in the new Historic District would make the Schoolhouse more Report of the visible and accessible for schoolchildren and visitors, Mashpee H1StOr1Ca1 and more secure. (Some may remember the Schoolhouse was moved in 1975 from its original Commission location in South Mashpee. Plans as far back as 1985 show the intended location near the Archives Building.) With the support of the Selectmen, the To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager, Tribal members, and the MHC,the Citizens of the Town of Mashpee: "Friends of the Schoolhouse" have submitted a CPA request to fund moving the building and to provide electricity and install security. Thanks to earlier fund 114