08/21/2025 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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Town of Mashpee Conservation Commission 16 Great Neck Road North Mashpee, MA 02649 There was expressed concern that the applicant had not provided additional analysis since the prior continuance and that the presentation repeated prior information without showing good-faith efforts to raise the system to a full five-foot separation or to evaluate alternative placement. Mr. McEntee responded that doing so would likely require expensive retaining walls, costing tens of thousands of dollars, and would affect nearby mature trees. He noted that the design complied with Board of Health regulations and that the innovative treatment already exceeded minimum Title 5 requirements. The Commission discussed site elevations and how raising the system would alter grading and potentially require retaining structures. Mr. McEntee described how the design would keep the system roughly level with the home's patio to minimize visual and physical disruption. Conservation Agent McManus added that, in his view, the application had been properly vetted, the need for the upgrade was clear, and the RDA process was consistent with long-standing town practice. He clarified that the cited state regulation section(310 CMR 10.02)referred to buffer-zone activities that may or may not need permitting, and that approving this through an RDA was appropriate given the project's scope and history of similar cases causing no adverse environmental impacts. Mr. McManus concluded that changing requirements "mid-stream" would be unfair to applicants and staff who had followed precedent. MOTION: For a negative determination at 67 Whippoorwill Circle. Motion by: Richard Sahl Seconded by: Sandi Godfrey Discussion: Ms. Thornbrugh that while prior projects might not have shown adverse impacts individually, the cumulative degradation of Mashpee's waters demonstrated the need for evolving standards. She framed the issue not as a mid-stream change but as adapting to new environmental realities. Vote: Motion passed. Aye: Steven Cook, Richard Sahl, Sandi Godfrey Nay: Sarah Thornbrugh,Paul Colombo ----------------------------------------------------------------- RDA 68 Whippoorwill Circle, Michael Scirpoli. Proposed I/A septic system upgrade. (Representative: Engineering Works, Inc.) (cont. 08.07) (legacy Reg 25) Mr. McEntee explained that the property's existing BioClear treatment system, initially installed under general approval, now required reclassification to remedial status for secondary treatment. The Board of Health had already granted approval for a two-foot reduction to groundwater separation. As with the neighboring parcel, the existing system had been installed too close to groundwater, necessitating the upgrade. The chosen location minimized disturbance by using an area already covered with rosa r ugosa and wood chips. Installing the new system elsewhere would mean removing the homeowner's patio or privacy hedge and requesting additional variances. Mr. McEntee reiterated that the technology was approved for installation as close as three feet above the seasonal high groundwater table and that both the Board of Health and data monitoring supported the proposed design. He noted that both this and the earlier property shared similar water-table data and that the homeowners were under significant time pressure due to an impending home sale and closing date. He urged the Commission to approve the project promptly, citing the consistent application of regulations, the proven effectiveness of the IA system, and the minimal environmental impact. The Chair thanked him, and Commissioners briefly acknowledged his comments without additional questions before moving on. 5