2009-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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�J Report of the Conservation Commission To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Mashpee Mission Statement: It is the goal of the Mashpee Conservation Commission to protect the Town's precious and unique natural resources by utilizing the provisions set forth in the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (MGL Ch. 131 § 40) and the Chapter 172 Wetland Protection By-law under the Mashpee General Town By-law. Furthermore, it is the mission of the Mashpee Conservation f+. Commission to protect, monitor and enhance The Town's Conservation Land and Open Space bf. parcels for the protection of native flora fauna and the use and enjoyment of our citizens and visitors to our town. Changes: 2009 has been a year of transition for the Conservation Dept. Our department has seen the departure of the part time Assistant Agent as well as our part time Office Clerk. Our former Administrative Assistant, Fran Boulos, has been transferred to the Board of Health to assist with a higher volume of permitting work. On the plus side, we have gained a new Administrative Secretary, Kristine Carpenter. Kristine has been a most welcome addition to the department and has efficiently assumed the roles of Office Clerk and Board Secretary in addition to her administrative duties. With a hiring freeze currently in place, the Assistant Agent's position will remain unfilled for the foreseeable future until such time that an economic recovery is realized and the financial burdens of the Town of Mashpee (like many other towns) are eased. i The Mashpee Conservation Commission has gone through quite a few changes in 2009. Our full time Conservation Commission has seen the full time additions of Mr. Brad Sweet and Mr. Mark Gurnee. Brad Sweet brings to the Commission his extensive experience as a former member of New Seabury's Architectural Review Committee as well as his passion for Mashpee's Conservation Lands and natural resources. Mark Gurnee (a New Seabury resident) brings significant engineering experience to the Commission to top off a very well rounded collection of backgrounds amongst the full time board members. Other changes include the departure of g g g p full time Commissioner, Cass Costa and the change of status of former full time Commissioner, Len Pinaud, to Associate status. Additionally, the Commission has a new Selectmen liaison, Mike Richards, who has made himself readily available to the Commissioners and staff. Permitting and Enforcement: 10, The Conservation Dept. has seen a steady decrease in permitting activity in 2009. As Mashpee gets closer and closer to build out conditions, most of the permits we receive involve single family home modifications, additions, demos/re-builds and septic upgrades as well as some utility upgrades along some of our major roads. The Conservation Dept continues to remain diligent on enforcement, putting an emphasis on post permitting compliance. Our department takes an educational and cooperative approach to enforcement issues so that when we discover a f violation, it is not just a simple matter of demanding payment of a fine. We work closely with homeowners to come up with an amicable solution to a particular violation whereby both sides achieve resolution and satisfaction in a non-confrontational manner. i Cranberry Bogs & FS-1 Plume Clean Up Operation: In 2008, the Conservation Commission sent out Requests for Proposals (RFP) to prospective cranberry growers to lease 2 bog systems within our conservation lands for the purpose of 111