2016-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Commission again finds itself two members short as former Clerk Mark Gurnee moved out of town. We thank him for his efforts while on the Commission. There are still Community Advisory Committee vacancies for four of the five Precincts and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council, for which the Commission would greatly appreciate volunteers as we move into implementation of the Plan. The Commission and Mashpee officials and residents have serious work cut out for us to identify funding and financing strategies for developing the facilities and practices needed to clean up our waterways. It took decades for our waterways to get into their current poor condition and it may take a longer time to clean them up, but we are at the point where we have a Plan and must summon the will to fund it. Your continued support for our work and participation in this decision making process, as in past years, will be sincerely appreciated. Respectfully submitted, F. Thomas Fudala, Chairman Joseph N. Lyons, Vice Chairman Bradford H. Pittsley, Clerk Thomas F. Burns L. Glenn Santos Report of the South Cape Beach Advisory Committee To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Mashpee: The South Cape Beach State Park Advisory Committee at its meetings during the year 2016 considered and made many recommendations relative to the use and management of the South Cape Beach State Park and its amenities. Hunting Hunting is not a permitted use of the Park under the terms of the 1981 "Agreement", but the Town Bylaws do not prohibit such activity, and thus, the matter is submitted to the Committee for its consideration each year. Accordingly, in 2016, the Committee again considered whether or not hunting should be permitted within the Park during the 2016-2017 hunting season. The major issue to be determined was whether or not hunting at this time was compatible and consistent with the current use of the Park. There were no incidents reported pertaining to hunting during the 2015-2016 hunting season, and the Committee voted to allow hunting for the 2016-2017 hunting season. This recommendation to permit hunting is again probational, and will be considered and reviewed each year. As in the past, signage will be posted in all safety zones as well as on Will's Work Road. Running Water for Park Facilities The Committee members are unanimous in the conviction that running water should be made available in case of fire, as well as for outside showers for patrons to rinse off after leaving the beach and before changing. We will continue to pursue this goal. Wills Work Road The Committee has also expressed concern over the condition of the road and its accessibility to emergency vehicles servicing that section of the Park. The road was once again graded to ensure access. Due to the dry summer the road stayed in good shape. We are still hoping to get the road redirected. It was decided to continue working on the funding for this project. Other Matters The Committee would like to congratulate John Singleton and his crew for the improvements added to the park this season. The Park was able to provide lifeguards this season. There are presently no openings on the Committee, which welcomed Joseph Bohnenger, Robert Palmer, and Mike Sweatman of Mashpee, and Janice Souza of Sandwich, as new members in 2016. On behalf of the Committee, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Senator Dan Wolf and David Vieira for their efforts and cooperation on behalf of the State Park. The Committee also expresses its thanks to the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, and other Town officials for their input and cooperation. We also wish to thank John Singleton, James Riesman, and other members of the WBNERR staff. 160