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Report of the Inspections Department <br /> To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Mashpee <br /> As prefaced last year, the abysmal national economy has now reached our shores. Real Estate k , <br /> sales and construction activities are at all time lows. The business associated with these <br /> occupations is still there but the type of activity and the bottom line figures have all changed <br /> dramatically. The drastic downturn for some however has created beneficial opportunities for <br /> others. Many who were formally unable to consider home-ownership have now been able to <br /> reach for that dream, while others benefit from lower costs and more competitive bids on <br /> construction projects. <br /> Commercial construction has been affected more than residential but neither type has fared well. <br /> The only large commercial project permitted belonged to the town, that being the library. We are <br /> now, however, in the process of issuing permits for two sizeable commercial ventures both of <br /> which will be located at South Cape Village. The larger of the two will be a 14,000 sq. ft. <br /> Walgreens located on the corner of Donna's Lane and South Street while the other, a 2800 sq. ft. <br /> wood frame retail building will be adjacent to Wicked Pizza. These are welcome additions to the <br /> plaza not only for the immediate employment of construction workers, but also for the long term <br /> retail employment hopefully for Mashpee residents. <br /> The previously mentioned Town Library is now nearing completion. Started approximately one <br /> year ago, the building is a masterpiece that will complete and complement the town's <br /> infrastructure and be the envy of surrounding communities. A ribbon cutting ceremony is <br /> scheduled for early January 2010. <br /> The implementation of the 7th edition of the Massachusetts Building Code has gone relatively <br /> smoothly. All the uproar regarding new code requirements for the 110 mph wind zone has <br /> subsided as both builders and inspectors worked together to enable compliance. We thank all for I <br /> their patience and await the arrival of the 81h edition. <br /> The Town of Mashpee is currently working towards becoming a Green Community with great <br /> effort from Tom Mayo and the members of the energy committee. One of the requirements of <br /> achieving that goal is for the Town to adopt a more stringent energy code known as the Stretch <br /> Code. This code, if adopted, will be more costly and will add another layer of bureaucracy to <br /> obtaining building permits. Hopefully the long term benefits of being a Green Community will <br /> offset any negative aspects of this code. The Town must look to the future regarding energy <br /> conservation and the future is now. <br /> The Department has been working along with members of the business community, Selectman <br /> Wayne Taylor and the chairman of the Planning Board Tom O'Hara in an attempt to re-define <br /> the sign code bylaw. Former assistant Town Manager Rene Read was also instrumental in this <br /> effort. This department receives continuous complaints regarding signs and it was determined <br /> that we should go through the existing regulations section by section in order to find where the <br /> problems were. Interestingly, we found that although some changes were necessary, the existing <br /> code was basically sound. The problem seems to stem from years of inadequate enforcement and i <br /> differences in interpretation. Once the new bylaw is adopted, or not, we will step up enforcement <br /> and hopefully correct some inequities. <br /> 143 <br />