08/07/2023 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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M Mashpee Select Board Minutes August 7, 2023 Public Comment: (continued) Terry Ronhock of DeGrass Road offered comment on draft warrant Article 4 and applauded the Planning Board for their hard work to set up the article to expand the accessory apartments, and their usage. With regards to the proposed period of the lease to 12 consecutive months Ms. Ronhock indicated there are visiting medical personnel, and scientists, etc. that need to rent on a shorter timeframe. Ms. Ronhock conveyed concern to those who would like to have accessory income while helping to provide housing on a smaller footprint. It was recommended the article be modified to reach concession. Surf Drive resident Lynne Barbee indicated at the last Select Board meeting two members of the Affordable Housing Trust castigated the Community Preservation Committee stating the Committee does not care about affordable housing. The CPC to date has dedicated $3,440,512 to affordable housing. And, in 2019 the Affordable Housing Trust received a $300,000 award and in May of 2023 the Community Preservation Committee awarded an additional $550,000 to the Trust. The CPC also granted funds to the Affordable Housing Trust for the Mashpee Housing Assistance Program; $330,000 and an additional $100,000 for the acquisition of 12 Cypress Circle identified for affordable housing, thousands of dollars that have not yet been expended. Ms. Barbee stated it is a shame the Select Board decided to delete the warrant article authorizing $60,000 for eminent purposes. It was suggested the Affordable Housing Trust meet jointly with the Community Preservation Committee. In closing Ms. Barbee indicated if CPA surcharge is reduced to 1% there will be less money for affordable housing. Arden Russell Sturgis Lane indicated that it is clear the Select Board's priorities and hopefully the community's priority is clean waters and we are all concerned about the significant upcoming expenses. However, reducing CPC revenue is short sighted and misguided. Mashpee has received $9,122,379 in State contributions. This money is a grant that is not competitive, we do not need to apply, and we automatically get those funds as long as we simultaneously raise local revenue. In 2022, our revenue was matched by the State by 51 % or $400,000. Do we have other funds that are that attractive? Ms. Russell indicated the CPC has funded many strategies in the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan, and has used funding for many projects that support the clean water goal. The CPC was the Land Bank at first. With the CPC and the Land Bank, the Town has purchased hundreds of acres of open space. To date, $15,300,000 has been expended on the debt service associated to those land purchase including an additional $8,800,000; over $23 million expended for the Open Space category. The CPC has also funded wetland restoration projects; abandoned cranberry bogs to improve water quality in Santuit Pond and Shoestring Bay, the successful Upper Childs River restoration project, and the restoration of the Upper Quashnet River system. CPC funds also purchased the Chopchaque bogs and surrounding properties to improve water quality in Santuit Pond and Shoestring Bay. The CPC has funded stormwater improvements at three boat landings, and funded shellfish propagation and estuary restoration. This is a strategy in the CWMP plan, but not funded in the general budget. The CPC has also funded the Solar Bees in Santuit Pond to improve water quality. Without CPC funds it is unlikely these initiatives would have proceeded. It is premature to reduce this revenue source that can financially assist in so many clean water initiatives. Ms. Russell indicated the CPC will be holding their annual Public Hearing on the needs, possibilities and resources of the Town of Mashpee as they relate to historic preservation, recreation, affordable housing and open space on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.