04/01/1987 ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Minutes

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6 MINUTES April 1, 1987 BOARD OF APPEALS Mr. David Sanicki was in attendance representing Mr. Rumbaugh. Mr. John Varkonda, Mashpee Conservation Offic er and Mr. David Ryan, Mashpee Shellfish Warden were also in attendnace. There were no abutters present. Mr. Sanicki stated the float extremities will be no further then 18 feet from mean low water. He stated there is an existing facility to the South and stated with this, the float extends out thirteen feet from mean low water. He stated the bulk of the proposed pier is accessed down the enbankment, which should eliminate any erosion and problems going up and down the enbankment. Mr. Sanicki stated once you reach the water the proposed pier will only extend from mean low water 18 feet with the ex- tremity of the float. Mr. Hanrahan stated comments were received from the Mashpee Shell- fish Constable which states,"this proposed dock project is over a viable soft shell clam bed. It is a bed most frequently fished by commercial fishermen. The bed contains mostly undersized clams now, and has not been fished heavily for the last year. Although this dock is relatively short, I feel it would severely damage the shellfishirg in this area, and therefore recommend against issuance of the Special Pemrit for construc- tion. There is a new boat ramp directly across Ockway Bay from this site that can provide excellent access to the water. There are also new ramps at Pirates Cove (Mashpee Neck Road) and at the Town Landing at Great River off Great Oak Road". Mr. Hanrahan stated comments were also received from the Conserva- tion Commission Officer which states, "The area where the dock is pro- posed, and the dock, meet the by-law requirements. However, the dock would end within one of the few productive shellfish areas in Ockway Bay. The adverse impacts on this area would be great. There is also a boat ramp that has just been reconstructed by the Town just a few hundred feet up the shore in Ockway Bay. This Special Permit should be denied". Mr. Ryan, Shellfish Warden, presented himself before the Board and stated although the Dock is short it is directly over the area where softshell clams reside. He stated the dock. is in shallow water which would contribute to the suspended sediment problem. Mr. Sexton questioned both the Shellfish Warden and the Conserva- tion Officer as to the possibility of disruption to the marine environ- ment if this proposed dock were constructed. Mr. Ryan stated yes it would cause a disruption to the marine en- vironment in this area. Mr. Varkonda stated this shellfish bed is commer- cially and recreationally used and would cause disruption in the marine environment. Mr. Sanicki stated there is always some disruption of the marine environment when construction in the water takes place. Mr. Hanrahan stated it has been ascertained by two experts in this field present tonight that this proposed dock would cause disruption to the marine environment.