10/27/2021 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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MASHPEE COMMONS LIMITED Mashpee Board of Selectmen 16 Great Neck Road North Mashpee, MA 02649 Re: September 27, 2021 Board of Selectmen Agenda "Presentation on Trout Pond: Dr. James Simmons" Dear Madam Chair and Members of the Board of Selectmen: PARTNERSHIP September 27, 2021 It has come to our attention that there is an agenda item for your September 27th meeting describing a presentation regarding Trout Pond with a Dr. James Simmons as the presenter. As you might know, Trout Pond is located on private property owned by A.B. Chace, Jr. since 1980, Although a "Presentation on Trout Pond" might appear harmless at first glance, allowing it to proceed misuses the public meeting forum to promulgate one's own view as to how someone else should use his own, private property, Imagine the precedent this is setting by allowing this agenda item to proceed — allowing any member of the public a forum to discuss another resident's use of his or her private property. Additionally, this parcel is part of a development agreement process. Thus, any discussion regarding the future use or preservation of this parcel is appropriately discussed within the parameters established through the Cape Cod Commission regulations and the Town of Mashpee Zoning Bylaw. It is not appropriate to circumvent the agreed upon process by discussing the property in this setting, especially because neither Mr. Chace nor Mashpee Commons received notice of this agenda item. Trout Pond is a valuable environmental area that is host to many species of shorebirds, ducks, Canadian Geese, red -wing black birds, deer, foxes, and many other wildlife. If the goal of Dr. Simmons' presentation is to advocate to protect Trout Pond, we want to go on the record that the proposed Mashpee Commons expansion project not only preserves Trout Pond but would also significantly improve the trail system in the area for public use by the community. Environmental stewardship and sustainability continue to be a hallmark of Mashpee Commons as it has since the community's inception. Most notably, its commitment to protect local waterways from toxic nitrogen pollution generated by standalone septic systems by building its own wastewater treatment plant in 1988. have any other questions about this privately owned parcel, please do not hesitate to contact me. Mashpee Commons LP MASHPEE COMMONS - NORTH MARKET STREET P,O, BOX 1530 - MASHPEE, MA 02649 - 508/477-5400 - FAX 508/477-4306