08/07/2023 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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N Mashpee Select Board Minutes August 7, 2023 Richard DeSorgher commended the Select Board for the spending plan for next stage of sewer work. And, as a community there is a need to come together to put back the path for the natural paradise we have in Mashpee. In support of the Community Preservation Committee Mr. DeSorgher indicated the CPC has already dropped from 3% to 2%. What makes Mashpee, Masbpee is our historical, and our open space and recreation. Several projects of note funded by the CPA Act is the historic One Room Schoolhouse, the honor stones in the Veterans Garden, the Veterans War Monument and the (4) ancient burying grounds slated to be restored with upcoming CPC funding. Mr. DeSorgher indicated that it is a difficult task to take care of all the needs of the community. Our best possible plan is keeping the CPC, while dealing with the water quality sword. It was recommended that state officials be called in on a regular basis as wastewater is really a regional problem. Mr. DeSorgher suggested the different Select Boards work together on this issue. It is hopeful the Town of Mashpee can support the wastewater initiative while continuing to support CPC funding at 2%. In closing Mr. DeSorgher stated that water quality is the heart of our existence, to save and to pass along to future generations. Ken Debrowski gave an update on the tax exemption and the percentage of properties receiving the abated tax reduction. In 2022, homes with an assessed value of over $1 million received a 26. 1 % tax cut, 329 properties. Single family homes with an assessed value of under $1 million received a 2.5% reduction. Single farmly homes represent 2/3rds of the Town's tax base. Mr. Debrowski indicated if we are giving a tax break, someone else is picking up the load. There is an inequity on how we are building this assessment process. The result is inconsistent and we are working at counter purposes to what we are advocating. Mr. Debrowski stated that homes assessed over $1 million should not receive a tax cut. Drew McManus was in attendance representing the Cape Cod Disc Golf Club. Mr. McManus was not in attendance at the last Select Board meeting; however, he watched the meeting and the vote made to remove this article from the warrant. For clarification Mr. McManus indicated this is a stand-alone proposal. Understanding that water quality is at the forefront, this is separate. The Disc Golf course proposal was removed from the previous town meeting as it was felt the optics would be less this time around. The estimated cost is up to $200,000 in CPA funding. The actual cost could be substantially less, There was als". comment regarding tree clearing. IS& McManus is the Tree Warden. It was stated the tree removal for the Disc Golf course proposal is planned to be highly selective, with no clear cutting. There will not be any incident of running afoul with the Tree Bylaw as this project is very much in -line with the Tree Bylaw. Mr. McManus respectfully requested the Select Board not remove this project from the warrant. There was a great deal of time and effort spent preparing for this project and answering questions. All respective boards voted in support of this project. It was highly recommended the Select Board ask the voters to decide on this project at the October Town Meeting. Leah Gray a 20-year Mashpee resident stated the pickleball complaint is the most exaggerated and ridiculous situation from only (1) neighbor. Recently while walking her dog a neighbor stated the courts are not bothersome. It was requested the courts be open 7 days per week to keep the pickleball as it was.