11/20/2025 SEWER COMMISSION Minutes (2)

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Town of Mashpee Sewer Commission t 16 Great Neck Road North Mashpee, MA 02649 effective. Staff explained that there are about 30 LUIs currently licensed in Town, but around 10 companies are doing the bulk of the work. New LUIs are being added at a rate of roughly one per week. When residents call, staff can provide the list of licensed installers but cannot recommend specific contractors, as that would be inappropriate from a municipal ethics standpoint. Commissioners discussed the fine line between sharing information and making recommendations. Staff reiterated that they could direct residents to the full list of licensed installers and suggest talking with neighbors who have recently connected, but they cannot single out"good" or"bad" companies nor share other residents' names or experiences without permission, because doing so would reveal private information. PUBLIC COMMENT Plumbing Inspector Kevin Connolly was invited to describe what he is seeing in the field. He stated that the residents he encountered during inspections have generally been very happy with their sewer connections. He maintains a detailed system of folders for each property, including every plumbing permit and inspection record. When a sewer connection inspection is requested, he uploads the permit into his inspection list, conducts the inspection, and then documents completion by closing out the record and writing that the sewer tie-in is complete with the date. His records indicate that one company has completed about 80 connections, another around 60, with other installers handling only a handful each. However, he emphasized that, like Town staff,he cannot recommend specific contractors to residents, even though he is frequently asked. He may discuss general experiences in an educational setting,but he does not name companies or individuals. ENCOURAGING POSITIVE RESIDENT FEEDBACK& NEIGHBOR-TO-NEIGHBOR SHARING The Chair noted that many residents who are happy prefer not to have their names used publicly. The Commission encouraged satisfied property owners to share their experiences directly with the Wastewater Department or Sewer Commission and to let staff know that they are willing to be contacted by neighbors. Commissioners felt that such voluntary sharing could build goodwill, reassure other residents that the system is working, and validate that public funds are being used effectively. WEBSITE Website Updates The Chair reiterated that the Town website is being actively updated but that residents still sometimes struggle to navigate the existing pages as more information is added. She highlighted the value of a standalone website—focused specifically on sewer and water quality information—to help residents find practical guidance more easily. Ms. Leslie clarified that any new standalone site would be limited to sewer and water quality content (e.g., connection steps, phasing, status updates, maps), while other materials on the Sewer Commission page, such as rules and regulations, would remain on the Town's main site. Commissioners emphasized that residents right now are primarily seeking clear, actionable information: how to connect, where they are in the phasing, when their area will be served, and what steps they need to take. They agreed that reorganizing content to prioritize those topics would be extremely helpful. CORRESPONDENCE