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Town of Mashpee Sewer Commission <br /> t <br /> 16 Great Neck Road North <br /> Mashpee, MA 02649 <br /> p.m. in the WACWAT meeting room).These forums aim to give residents a chance to voice concerns and <br /> hear directly from technical experts about wastewater strategies and project locations. <br /> Public Comment <br /> Colleen Schofield of Gunters Lane asked when and why this area jumped from not even being in Phase 5 <br /> of the original plan to a current top priority. <br /> Chair Harris cited a new watershed study showing that Mashpee-Wakeby contributes more nitrogen <br /> than previously thought. Mr. Meader stated that with recharge options severely limited by conservation <br /> land, wetlands, and regulatory restrictions, cluster systems like this one may be the only workable <br /> solution in many areas.The Commission argued that localized treatment keeps waste near its source <br /> and avoids the prohibitive costs of long-distance sewer connections. Officials stressed that such systems <br /> are already in place in Mashpee neighborhoods with no noticeable disruption. <br /> Debate centered on whether this project is happening mainly because of the state's 25%SRF loan <br /> forgiveness. Ms. Schofield pressed whether, absent the funding,the town would still allocate nearly <br /> $20M to a low-density area. Officials responded that the state money cannot be redirected and would <br /> be lost if Mashpee declined it.They insisted the project would still advance because of its recharge value <br /> and the findings in Ed Eichner's diagnostic report, which highlighted contributions to watershed <br /> degradation. Some residents remained skeptical, noting the dramatic shift from "not phased at all"to <br /> "sudden priority" status. <br /> Clarification on Plan Updates <br /> GHD clarified that the Wakeby cluster system proposal was not part of the 2015 plan but came from the <br /> ongoing update of the watershed management plan,which has been underway for about two years. <br /> Early 2025 presentations to the Select Board and Sewer Commission included this area as one of four <br /> recommended study sites. Officials emphasized this was not arbitrary; it reflected updated science and <br /> planning efforts. <br /> Future Use of Cluster Systems <br /> In response to a question about whether cluster systems might increasingly occupy expired open-space <br /> parcels, wastewater staff acknowledged it is possible. With conservation restrictions limiting large, <br /> centralized recharge options, cluster systems could become a cost-effective fallback strategy in certain <br /> neighborhoods.They stressed, however,that each site would be evaluated individually and not all open <br /> spaces would be suitable. <br /> Cluster Systems as a Secondary Tool <br /> Commissioner Lyons clarified that cluster systems are not the first choice for Mashpee's wastewater <br /> strategy.The town always seeks sewering first,with IA systems as a secondary solution for large-lot or <br /> remote areas. Cluster systems may work in certain "in-between" neighborhoods but are case-specific <br /> and not a universal fix. Despite some resident assumptions, commissioners stressed that cluster systems <br /> are not cheaper—they tend to cost more per household because they serve fewer homes but require <br /> substantial infrastructure investment. <br /> Complexity of the Project <br />