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Town of Mashpee Conservation Commission <br /> 16 Great Neck Road North <br /> Mashpee, MA 02649 <br /> Regulation 19 concerning wetland alteration, noting that the project involves 937 square feet of alteration <br /> well above the 300-square-foot local threshold. She also identified Regulation 33, governing riverfront areas, <br /> which has a 5,000-square-foot threshold. The project, she said, currently shows approximately 4,740 square <br /> feet of disturbance, close enough to warrant careful review. She emphasized that a comprehensive waiver <br /> request would be required when the project is resubmitted. <br /> She observed that the current documentation includes only a waiver for Regulation 20,relating to isolated <br /> vegetated wetlands, and none for the other triggered thresholds. While acknowledging the ecological value of <br /> the proposed six-acre bog restoration, she noted that profitability for Willow Bend from constructing 12 new <br /> homes is not a"compelling need"under the bylaw. Therefore, she stressed that any waiver requests must <br /> clearly demonstrate the environmental and public benefits that justify the impacts. <br /> Ms. Thornbrugh also reminded the applicants that the town's bylaws prohibit activities that cause <br /> cumulative impairment to resource areas, even if mitigation is proposed. The Commission, she said, must <br /> therefore assess both the project's adverse impacts and its purported benefits. <br /> She then turned to stormwater management. While acknowledging that this falls primarily under zoning <br /> jurisdiction, she asked whether the project meets the town's Green Infrastructure Bylaw (Chapter 174) and <br /> whether it is designed to watershed protection standards rather than only Massachusetts MS4 compliance. <br /> Mr. Woody replied that the stormwater management system was designed according to MassDEP's <br /> standards and was peer-reviewed during the Planning Board process. The design includes rain gardens, <br /> bioretention areas, and water-quality basins to control runoff and achieve Total Suspended Solids (TSS) <br /> removal and groundwater recharge levels that exceed DEP requirements. He added that the project will also <br /> treat existing runoff from Quinaquissett Avenue that currently drains untreated into the wetland. Ms. <br /> Thornbrugh appreciated the response and noted that she would like to confirm how the town's local green <br /> infrastructure standards are being incorporated into the final design. <br /> Mr. Woody explained that the full set of stormwater and grading plans was previously submitted as part of <br /> the overall project file and remains on record, though not refiled for this presentation. He confirmed that all of <br /> that documentation is available for the Commission's review. <br /> Discussion of Updated Plans and Future Submissions <br /> Chair Cook noted that the last time the Commission reviewed those plans was in January or February and <br /> asked whether updated plans would be provided at the next continuation. Mr. Woody responded that the <br /> residential portion of the project has not changed since late last year and has already been approved by the <br /> Planning Board. The current work focuses on the mitigation and restoration design. He offered to resubmit the <br /> full plan package when they return so that newer members can review it in full. <br /> When asked for clarification about the Notice of Intent process, Mr. Woody reiterated that the current filing <br /> before the Commission is for the 12 residential units, while a second Notice of Intent will be submitted for the <br /> ecological restoration component. The timing of that second filing,he said, will depend on coordination with <br /> MEPA. Ideally, it will be submitted shortly before MEPA issues its final approval so the two processes remain <br /> aligned. <br /> Mr. Soares added that they intentionally limited the level of detail presented tonight,preferring to confirm <br /> the Commission's general support before investing further in design and site assessment. Once that feedback is <br /> secured, the team will advance the engineering and ecological details accordingly. <br /> Staff and Commission Feedback on Waivers and Conditions <br /> Mr. Kent stated that he had no substantive comments at this stage but emphasized that any final approval for <br /> the residential development would be contingent upon the bog restoration moving forward. He said that <br /> condition would be essential to any future order of conditions. <br /> Mr. McManus echoed Commissioner Ms. Thombrugh's earlier comments about the need to address <br /> threshold exceedances under Regulations 19 and 33. He acknowledged that the restoration offers a compelling <br />