10/27/2021 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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M Board of Selectmen Minutes September 27, 2021 APPOINTMENTS & HEARINGS Presentation on Trout Pond: Dr. James Simmons: Gregory Auger introduced Dr. James Simmons of Brown University who discussed the ecological value of Trout Pond and of his research studying the behavior of Little Brown Bats. Dr. Simmons indicated he is present as a scientist with no affiliation to Brown University. Trout Pond is noted for its ecological and scientific value crucial to the health of the Mashpee River. Dr. Simmons discussed his research on the countless Little Brown Bats who typically hunt the pond during the night. Dr. Simmons indicated that bats have the ability to probe in the dark and orient themselves to locate their prey. As they fly into a myriad of insects, a single bat has the ability to hone in on a particular insect for capture and not cause interference with other bats or insects. The phenomenon is similar to the use of fish finders and by the technique Navy ships use in search of submarines. 2021 Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Merit Award Winner: Chuckie Green: The Board of Selectmen acknowledged and honored Chuckie Green as the 2021 Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Merit Award winner. On behalf of the Board of Selectmen and Town of Mashpee Carol A. Sherman, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen presented Mr. Green with a plaque in honor of this lifetime achievement. Mr. Green recently retired as Natural Resources Director of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. During his tenure of community service Mr. Green served the Town of Mashpee as a member of the Board of Selectmen from 2000 through 2009. In 2008 Mr. Green served as Chairman a position not filled by a Mashpee Wampanoag tribal member for 30 years. Mr. Green was involved in the establishment of the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge partnership and served on a board to oversee the Superfund cleanup of the former Otis Air Force Base. Of significance was Mr. Green's leadership within the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe serving as Vice -Chair from 1993 to 1996 and his service as the Tribal Historic Authority Director and Preservation Officer. Mr. Green played an important role in protecting the Tribe's natural resources and then forming a Natural Resources Department serving as director and assistant director. Mr. Green also assisted in the establishment of the Mashpee Water Collaboration, a partnership between the Town, the Tribe and the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth to monitor water quality. Mr. Green continued his environmental work to address nitrogen -loading in the Mashpee River and Popponesset Bay systems and formed an environmental science camp for tribal youth. Mr. Green has also worked to mitigate algal growth and restore habitat in Santuit Pond.