10/09/2025 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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Town of Mashpee Conservation Commission 16 Great Neck Road North Mashpee, MA 02649 environmental benefit but reminded the applicants that the regulations require clear justification whenever thresholds are exceeded. He recommended that the applicants prepare a robust waiver narrative explaining how the proposed mitigation offsets these impacts and agreed to work with Mr. Woody before the next meeting to ensure that the materials are complete. Final Clarification and Board Consensus Check Before concluding, Ms. Pitt asked whether the 12 new residential units would connect to the existing Willowbend wastewater treatment system and whether there was sufficient capacity. Mr. Woody confirmed that this issue is being reviewed by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and that no capacity concerns have been raised. With that clarification, Mr. Woody reiterated that their purpose in attending the meeting was to gauge where the Commission stood conceptually on the overall project—both the residential development and the linked ecological restoration—before proceeding into the next stages of permitting. Commission Consensus on Willowbend Project The discussion continued with the applicants clarifying that Willowbend is primarily seeking feedback to ensure they are moving in the right direction and addressing the Commission's concerns so that informed decisions about project investment can be made. Chair Cook asked whether a formal motion or just a consensus was needed; Mr. McManus suggested that consensus would suffice. Commissioners were invited to share their perspectives. Mr. Larsson, a non-voting member, expressed support, noting that 260,000 square feet of ecological mitigation represents a substantial trade-off for the proposed development. Ms. Pitt commented that the project had made significant progress from earlier plans and recognized the scale of restoration as a meaningful environmental gain. Ms. Godfrey and Mr. Sahl also voiced support. Ms. Thornbrugh acknowledged the net environmental benefit but suggested exploring opportunities to reduce the scope of the 12-unit development, particularly for homes near the riverfront, to minimize disturbance. Overall, she supported the project while urging continued attention to potential refinements. The chair summarized that the Commission was generally in favor of moving forward. MOTION: To continue 275 Quinaquissett Avenue to a future date to be determined. Motion by: Sandi Godfrey Seconded bv: Richard Sahl Vote: Motion passed by unanimous vote. (Steven Cook, Sarah Thornbrugh, Sandi Godfrey, Seana Pitt,Richard Sahl) MOTION: For a two minute break and close the Public Hearing. Motion by: Sandi Godfrey Seconded by: Richard Sahl Vote: Motion passed by unanimous vote. (Steven Cook, Sarah Thornbrugh, Sandi Godfrey, Seana Pitt, Richard Sahl)