08/12/2024 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 Select Board Minutes August 12, 2024 APPOINTMENTS & HEARINGS Discussion Relative,, to Regulation 25; Conservation Agent Drew McManus, Conservation Commission Chair „Colombo: The Select Board met with Conservation Agent Andrew McManus and Conservation Commission Chair Paul Colombo to continue discussions regarding Regulation 25; Land subject to Flooding or Inundation by Coastal Flowage also referenced as Land Subject to Coastal Storm Flowage. An overview was given regarding the procedures for amending regulations under the Town of Mashpee's HOME Rule Authority. Conservation Commission Chair Paul Colombo indicated the Conservation Commission follows the exact same procedures and protocol for all regulations including Regulation 25. The Conservation Commission is noted to be working diligently on procedures on additional bylaw regulations under the HOME Rule Authority. Procedures include consensus on final draft revision, Town Counsel legal review, discussion, and review at public meetings of the Conservation Commission with edits if any, and the scheduling of hearings for public comment. All comments are taken under advisement and considered by the Commissioners. With public and Conservation Commission feedback changes if any are forwarded to Town Counsel. A hearing is advertised and scheduled thereafter for the promulgation of the final draft. There is a grace period for the official enactment. The final amended regulation is then posted on the Conservation Commission webpage, and incorporated into the revised set of Chapter 172 Regulations and sent to Commissioners, to the email distribution list and to those requesting copies. DEP is developing regulations proposed to protect areas vulnerable to sea -level rise and storm surge. The final regulatory changes are anticipated soon. They may be less restrictive than the regulations proposed by the Conservation Commission. It was noted the subcommittee of Commissioners have worked diligently on the draft, and the regulatory bylaw as proposed could be stricter than what is being proposed by the DEP. To clarify previous comments from concerned residents regarding the lack of public input Mr. Colombo indicated there were many opportunities for input from March until August. With climate change and the rise in sea levels, Regulation 25 needs to be strengthened. Andrew McManus, Conservation Agent indicated with consensus, the final draft was released to the public on May 2, 2024. Public hearings were duly advertised and procedures were followed to the letter. Community engagement is an essential part of the process, and on the agenda to solicit public comment. There is a grace period to the public before the date is set for the promulgation. Members of the Select Board expressed appreciation to the residents from the Popponesset Working Group who have taken the time to present their issues, goals and concerns which are noted. The citizens were assured that public hearings would continue and be held in a proactive manner. The document is currently under legal review, and the next public hearing will be advertised.