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Town of Mashpee Conservation Commission <br /> 16 Great Neck Road North <br /> Mashpee, MA 02649 <br /> Mashpee Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes <br /> Thursday, August 21, 2025 <br /> Mashpee Town Hall - Waquoit Meeting Room <br /> 16 Great Neck Road North, Mashpee, MA 02649 <br /> Broadcast Live on Local Cable Channel(s) 8 and 1072 <br /> Streamed live on the Town of Mashpee website: salwww.rnash same.�ovlchannel--8 <br /> Hybrid Remote: Zoom Meeting ID: 954 6826 5483 Passcode: 803910 <br /> Board Members Present: Absentee Members: Additional Attendees: <br /> Steven Cook, Chair Alexandra Zollo,Member Andrew McManus, Conservation Agent <br /> Sarah Thornbrugh,Vice Chair Marjorie Clapprood, Member (attendance via Zoom) <br /> Sandi Godfrey, Secretary Daniel Kent,Asst Conservation Agent <br /> Richard Sahl,Member <br /> Paul Colombo, Member <br /> Seana Pitt,Associate Member <br /> Neal Larsson,Associate Member <br /> Open Public Meeting—Call to Order <br /> Chair Cook called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. <br /> Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence <br /> The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a moment of silence was observed. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT (For any issues not related to agenda items - *3 minutes per comment) <br /> Kevin Schofield, a resident of Gunters Lane, expressed deep concern that the town plans to use land deeded <br /> as open space within his cluster subdivision for the new facility. He emphasized that the property currently <br /> contains marked trails and multiple Conservation Commission signs, underscoring that the land has long been <br /> treated as conservation land. Mr. Schofield referenced the town's 2009 Five-Year Action Plan, which indicated <br /> that 31.3 acres of the Pimlico Heights cluster subdivision open space were to be transferred to the Conservation <br /> Commissiona process that never occurred. <br /> He cited Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, which protects conservation land, explaining that the <br /> 2017 Smith v. Westfield decision expanded that protection to include land the town intended for conservation <br /> use, regardless of how it was acquired. Mr. Schofield accused the town of negligence for failing to complete <br /> the transfer and stated that residents now feel "lied to and cheated" as the town attempts to redevelop land that <br /> was meant to remain open space. He warned that if the town proceeds, it sets a dangerous precedent that any <br /> deeded open space could be repurposed after enough time has passed. <br /> Colleen, another Gunters Lane resident, echoed Kevin Schofield's concerns, stating that town officials had <br /> confirmed at a Sewer Commission meeting earlier that day that redevelopment of deeded open space could <br /> occur if the town owns the land. She warned that this precedent endangers all town-owned open space, <br /> potentially opening the door to future redevelopment for other purposes, such as housing. <br /> Lynne Barbee, 73 Surf Drive, also spoke against the proposal. She noted that a Town Meeting warrant article <br /> seeks $25.9 million for the project but does not specify the site, which she found troubling. Ms. Barbee <br /> clarified that residents are not opposing clean water initiatives but opposing the use of designated open space <br /> for such facilities. She stated that protecting clean water and preserving open space are not mutually exclusive <br /> 1 <br />