10/09/2025 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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Town of Mashpee Conservation Commission 16 Great Neck Road North Mashpee, MA 02649 A third letter came from Brad Crosby of 4 Wilsons Grove, who also voiced enthusiastic support. Mr. Crosby described his familiarity with both the neighborhood and similar construction projects nearby. He recalled a comparable"raise and replace"project completed successfully in the 1990s beside his own family cottage and stated that he had no concerns about proximity or potential construction impacts. He emphasized that the Neild's' contractor and design professionals were competent and insured, and he regarded the new home as a positive and thoughtful addition to the community. Finally, Jean Rocha of 2 Wilsons Grove, a longtime year-round resident, submitted a letter praising the Neild's' as exceptional neighbors who have maintained their property beautifully. She described the proposed home as a"thoughtful solution for a growing family"that would enhance both the aesthetic and property values of the street. Ms. Rocha strongly supported the Conservation Commission's approval of the project. Applicant's Rebuttal to Concerns Following the reading of the letters, the Mr. Bunker responded directly to Mr. Lane's comments. He clarified that the new structure would not encroach any closer to the Lane property than the existing house. He displayed photographs documenting the installation of Mr. Lane's septic system, noting that contractors had excavated immediately adjacent to the Neild's' foundation without causing any damage to either property. He emphasized that this example demonstrated how careful construction could be safely performed in tight quarters. He reiterated that the proposed"raise and replace"project would be less intrusive than the prior septic installation and assured the Commission that experienced, responsible contractors could complete the work safely. He offered to share the photographs and additional supporting materials if the Commission wished to review them, adding that these details had not been submitted earlier because the team had been waiting for the results of a peer review report. Additional Public Comment and Clarifications Christina Wilworth of 26 Wilsons Grove, an abutter, then addressed the Commission. She stated that she was not opposing the project itself but wanted to ensure that construction would not negatively impact her property. Referring to the project plans, she noted that the front portion of the proposed house appeared to rest on a foundation, while the rear would be supported by piers, which raised concern because the area near her own house aligned with the foundation section. She emphasized that the construction methodology provided described hand-digging for piers but did not address how the front foundation would be managed. Ms. Wilworth repeated her concern about erosion control, arguing that standard silt fencing might be insufficient for such a narrow lot and that a more robust erosion control plan should be considered. She pointed out that the project would enlarge the existing home's structure by building over what is currently a deck, making it significantly larger than before. Drawing on her observations of ongoing nearby projects at 23 and 25 Wilsons Grove, she said those construction sitesdespite having more space between structures—had still experienced runoff and disturbance. She worried that with only about ten feet between houses, her own foundation could be compromised. While acknowledging that there might be legal recourse for damages after the fact, Ms. Wilworth urged the Commission to focus on prevention rather than remedy, asking them to carefully evaluate the plan before approval. Mr. Bunker clarified that the entire structure would in fact be on piers, not just the rear portion. The small front area, described as a storage slab, would still use a pier-supported foundation system, not a conventional foundation. Ms. Wilworth thanked the Commission for the clarification, noting that her initial reading of the plans had led her to believe otherwise. Commission Questions and Discussion Ms. Pitt asked whether the Health Department had approved the septic system, to which Mr. Bunker replied that it had not yet been reviewed but would go before the department once the Conservation Commission issued a decision. She inquired about the status with the Building Department and Zoning Board of Appeals