01/22/2026 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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I Town of Mashpee Conservation Commission 16 Great Neck Road North Mashpee, MA 02649 Commission Direction and Outcome Commissioners summarized the outstanding issues requiring resolution before the application could proceed, including: • Correction and verification of nitrogen loading calculations and septic system specifications; • Reconciliation of lawn area calculations and determination of whether a waiver is required; • Clarification of restoration and planting plans, particularly for screening and erosion control; and • Addressing abutter concerns related to construction impacts and long-term site conditions. Given the number of unresolved technical and regulatory issues, the applicant requested a continuance to revise the plans and supporting materials. MOTION: To accept the Request for Continuance for 16 Slice Way to February 5, 2026. Motion by: Richard Sahl Seconded bv: Sandi Godfrey Vote: Motion passed by unanimous vote. (Sarah Thornbrugh, Paul Colombo, Sandi Godfrey, Seana Pitt, Richard Sahl) NOI 70 Fells Pond Road, Michael & Lissa McDermott Trust. Proposed vista pruning project. (Representative: Environmental Landscape Solutions, LLQ 43- 3388 The Commission opened the public hearing for the Notice of Intent at 70 Fells Pond Road, which proposes a vista pruning project along the shoreline of Fells Pond. Tyler Goudreau of Environmental Landscape Solutions LLC appeared on behalf of the applicants. Project Description Mr. Goudreau explained that the project involves vista pruning only, with no clearing or removal of vegetation beyond what is permitted under Mashpee's vista pruning regulations. The subject property has approximately 94 linear feet of frontage along Fells Pond. In accordance with the regulations, the applicants calculated 25% of that frontage, resulting in a proposed 23.5-foot-wide vista corridor. To minimize disturbance to the buffer zone, the vista corridor is aligned directly over an existing gravel walking path, thereby avoiding new ground disturbance. The vegetative community within the corridor includes multiple strata, with the dominant shrub species being Clethra alnifolia, which will be pruned to a maximum height of five feet. Mr. Goudreau noted that this species responds well to pruning and is commonly managed in this manner. Tree work is limited to pruning only, with canopy pruning not exceeding the 30% maximum allowed under the regulations. No topping of trees is proposed. Limited deadwood removal may occur only over pedestrian paths for safety purposes, subject to staff review, and no removal of snags or habitat trees is proposed. ........... Commission and Staff Review Commissioners confirmed that this is not a continuation of an active vista pruning pen-nit and that there is no prior vista pruning pen-nit on record for the property. Staff indicated that the site is a straightforward inland bank setting with intact vegetative layers, including ground cover, shrub layer, mid-story, and overstory vegetation. Staff explained that under the vista pruning provisions applicable to inland banks, limited removal of sapling-sized trees (defined as six inches diameter at breast height or less) is permitted, up to 20% of saplings within the designated corridor, if present. Based on staff familiarity with the site, very few saplings meet that definition within the corridor, meaning that removal, if any, would be minimal. 7