12/11/2025 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes (2)

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Town of Mashpee Conservation Commission 16 Great Neck Road North Mashpee, MA 02649 temporary wetland/riverfront impacts would be under 1,000 square feet. The culvert was designed to pass the 100-year storm event and improve stream function by allowing more natural flow conditions,reduced velocities, and improved stabilization and erosion control. The applicant reported the design meets width and openness requirements, including an openness ratio exceeding minimum standards, and requested a waiver from Regulation 20 (wildlife habitat evaluation), asserting the work is limited, not within mapped habitat, and constitutes a net environmental improvement compared to the degraded existing condition. Commissioners questioned the request to waive the wildlife habitat evaluation, with members noting the area appears to function as a wildlife corridor and expressing interest in whether time-of-year restrictions or obligate species considerations could apply. Staff/agents generally supported the waiver request as the project is remedial rather than new development and is expected to improve aquatic habitat and overall stream function; staff also stated there is no mapped endangered species habitat and time-of-year restrictions did not appear necessary based on available information. In response to a commissioner inquiry, it was stated Quaker Run does not support trout (water is too warm and the system is heavily interrupted upstream), and the reach near the crossing is one of the few segments that still resembles a defined stream channel. Additional questions addressed design assumptions and construction logistics. The applicant confirmed use of Atlas 14 rainfall data(approximately 8.2 inches for the 100-year storm intensity used for design) and estimated the in-stream disturbance duration at roughly three weeks, with a month as a conservative construction window. The applicant indicated the work was planned for winter. During deliberations, commissioners focused on ensuring the outfall area is adequately protected from erosion, noting a downstream bend and the potential for increased scour during high flows. The Commission requested additional riprap/bank protection on the outfall side and agreed this could be finalized through coordination with staff as an administrative approval item. Commissioners also added a condition that construction occurs in winter to minimize potential impacts to wildlife (with the applicant indicating the owner's intent to complete work before spring). MOTION: To close an issue at 100 Willowbend Drive. Motion bv: Sandi Godfrey Seconded bv: Richard Sahl DISCUSSION: During deliberations, commissioners focused on ensuring the outfall area is adequately protected from erosion, noting a downstream bend and the potential for increased scour during high flows. Vote: Motion passed by unanimous vote. (Sarah Thornbrugh, Paul Colombo, Sandi Godfrey, Richard Sahl, Seana Pitt) AMENDED MOTION: To close an issue at 100 Willowbend Drive to include: 1. Extend the riprap/bank protection on the outfall side and work with administration on determining the length of the extension 2. Construction should be in the winter Motion by: Sandi Godfrey Seconded by: Richard Sahl Vote: Amended Motion passed by unanimous vote. (Sarah Thornbrugh, Paul Colombo, Sandi Godfrey, Richard Sahl, Seana Pitt) 6