10/23/2025 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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Town of Mashpee Conservation Commission 16 Great Neck Road North Mashpee, MA 02649 had evolved considerably since its initial submission, including the removal of stairs, resulting in a significantly reduced environmental footprint. Vote: Motion passed. Aye: Steven Cook Sandi Godfrey, Seana Pitt,Richard Sahl Nay: Sarah Thornbrugh, Paul Colombo NOI 17 Sand Dollar Lane,Maria MacDonald, Sand Dollar Lane NOM Realty Trust. Proposed Septic System Repair. (Representative: Geo-Cape Environmental Consultants) 43- 33xx The filing concerns a proposed septic system upgrade for an existing four-bedroom dwelling at 17 Sand Dollar Lane, owned by the Sand Dollar Lane Nominee Realty Trust. Glenn Harrington of Geo Cape Environmental Consultants represented the property before the board. The proposal involves installing a singular treatment unit leading to a 1,000-gallon pump chamber, which then connects to three 500-gallon chambers surrounded by four feet of stone within the driveway area. The property is associated with multiple resource areas,including an AE 13 flood zone, a coastal bank with a buffer zone, and a buffer to a bordering vegetated wetland(salt marsh). The septic system is being upgraded because the existing system is failing; a recent inspection revealed that the prior system consisted of a straight pipe discharging directly to the wetlands, with no trace of the previously documented structures from an as-built plan. Historical records indicate the original system may have been installed in the mid-to-late 1960s,with a purported repair in 1980, although no evidence of that repair was found. During the discussion,board members raised several concerns: • Proximity to Wetlands and Trees: The proposed leaching facility location behind the house is near large oak and birch trees. Removal of these trees was recommended due to root interference with the septic system. Mitigation through replanting was acknowledged as feasible. • Excavation and Basement Constraints: Because the basement is finished and contains a bathroom, the plumbing must pass beneath the basement slab, making rerouting extremely difficult. Alternative options, such as installing an ejector pump to direct plumbing toward the front of the house, were suggested to minimize disturbance to vegetated areas and the wetland buffer. • Timing and Property Sale: The property is seasonal, and the owners wish to complete the septic installation prior to the pending sale. The urgency of the installation was noted,but the commissioners expressed the need to explore alternative layouts to reduce environmental impact. The board discussed administrative versus full approval. They agreed that if the new layout(using an ejector pump to move tanks to the front yard)is feasible, it could potentially be approved at a staff level; if not, the current plan would require mitigation measures and a full board vote. MOTION: To continue 17 Sand Dollar Lane to November 13,2025. Motion by: Sarah Thornbrugh Seconded by: Sandi Godfrey Vote: Motion passed by unanimous vote. (Steven Cook, Sarah Thornbrugh, Paul Colombo, Sandi Godfrey, Seana Pitt, Richard Sahl) 4