08/28/2025 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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Town of Mashpee Conservation Commission 16 Great Neck Road North Mashpee, MA 02649 Additionally, the Commission discussed the process for filling vacancies. If a full-time seat becomes available, associate members may be considered for elevation based on experience, demonstrated participation, and regulatory knowledge. The Commission also reviewed the need to document and track member attendance, participation, and voting history to ensure compliance with state statutes and town policies. MOTION: To recommend to the Select Board that Marjorie Clapprood step down from full- time Associate Member and for Seanna Pitt to move from Associate Member to full-time. Motion by: Sandi Godfrey Seconded by: Sarah Thornbrugh Vote: Motion passed by unanimous vote. (Steven Cook, Sarah Thornbrugh, Sandi Godfrey, Paul Colombo, Richard Sahl) Discussion 0 Open Space Prospect: 82 Great Neck Road North Sarah Thornbrugh raised the topic of 82 Great Neck Road North, noting that someone is willing to sell the lot. While she was not certain who the owner was, she confirmed familiarity with the parcel. She explained that the property has significant frontage on the Mashpee River but would be very difficult to develop under current regulations. Ms. Thornbrugh suggested it would be worthwhile for the Commission to discuss whether there is an opportunity to acquire the property for conservation purposes. She also mentioned the possibility of working with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to explore options for co-management or deferred ownership, should the Tribe be interested in pursuing the acquisition. The Commission discussed the potential acquisition of 82 Great Neck Road North, a parcel with significant frontage on the Mashpee River. The lot is privately owned and currently for sale, with the owner residing out of state. Because of its location within the riverfront jurisdiction, development would be constrained to a maximum disturbance of 5,000 square feet, including septic, house, garage, and gardens. At 3.8 acres (38,000 square feet), the property is technically buildable under zoning and wetlands regulations, but the Commission noted its high value for conservation given its proximity to the river, ongoing Mashpee River restoration projects, and nearby wastewater assessments. The process for the Town to acquire the property would require the owner to submit a formal application to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC)requesting funding for open space or conservation purposes. If CPC supports the request, it would then need to be placed on the Town Meeting warrant for approval, both to authorize CPC funding and to approve the acquisition itself. A CPC representative (Lynne Barbee, 73 Surf Drive) confirmed that the owner or the trust holding the deed would need to submit a project request form. CPC has a September meeting scheduled to review new project proposals for the following May Town Meeting. Interested parties can submit materials directly to CPC at their designated email address. It was also noted that adjacent property at 90 Great Neck Road North is already developed, though the area is under review for future sewer expansion.