08/28/2025 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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Town of Mashpee Conservation Commission 16 Great Neck Road North Mashpee, MA 02649 Mashpee Conservation Commission Quarterly Meeting Minutes Thursday, August 28, 2025 Mashpee Town Hall - Waquoit Meeting Room 16 Great Neck Road North, Mashpee, MA 02649 Broadcast Live on Local Cable Channel(s) 8 and 1072 Streamed live on the Town of Mashpee website: salwww.mash same° �ovlchannel--8 Hybrid Remote: Zoom Meeting ID: 990 0831 5493 Passcode: 466851 Board Members Present: Absentee Members: Additional Attendees: Steven Cook, Chair Alexandra Zollo, Member Andrew McManus, Conservation Agent Sarah Thornbrugh,Vice Chair Marjorie Clapprood, Member (attendance via Zoom) Paul Colombo, Member Daniel Kent, Asst Conservation Agent Sandi Godfrey, Secretary Richard Sahl,Member Seana Pitt,Associate Member Neal Larsson,Associate Member Open Public Meeting—Call to Order Chair Cook called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a Moment of Silence was observed. PUBLIC COMMENT (For any issues not related to agenda items - *3 minutes per comment) David Lafreniere, a Falmouth resident representing the Cape Cod Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association(NEMBA). He revisited the Commission's July 24th discussion about NEMBA's proposal to construct a 12' x 12' wooden viewing platform within the Mashpee River Woodlands. Mr. Lafreniere opened by clarifying that the platform would be entirely funded,built, and maintained by NEMBA under their existing liability policy, imposing no financial cost to the Town of Mashpee. He noted that the proposed location had been identified in collaboration with Assistant Conservation Agent Daniel Kent. The site was chosen because it sits above the coastal bank, provides scenic elevated views, and is easily accessible from established trails. He then addressed the procedural question raised at the July meeting: whether the project requires a Request for Detennination of Applicability(RDA) or a more formal Notice of Intent(NOI) filing. He reminded Commissioners that under state law, the choice depends on whether the Commission believes the platform would adversely affect protected resource areas. NEMBA maintains that the structure would not cause adverse impacts and would instead benefit the community by encouraging outdoor recreation, environmental education, and appreciation of conservation land. On the issue of site access for construction materials, Mr. Lafreniere gave a detailed explanation. Materials would be delivered along Spinnaker Trail and Long River Trail, a route of about one-quarter mile. He pointed out that the Town of Mashpee already plans to widen Spinnaker Trail to four feet, which would facilitate access. From there, volunteers would transport the lumber and hardware by wheelbarrow along a downhill grade, minimizing labor challenges. He compared this plan to a much larger NEMBA boardwalk project in Barnstable, which required moving heavier materials over a longer distance and was successfully completed without issue.