07/09/2026 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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Town of Mashpee Conservation Commission 16 Great Neck Road North Mashpee, MA 02649 MOTION: To have a 2-minute recess. Motion by: Richard Sahl Seconded by: Seana Pitt Vote: Motion passed by unanimous vote. A motion was made to return from recess and was seconded by Steve Cook.The motion passed by unanimous vote. • Dock Moratorium Ms. Pitt provided a follow-up to the Commission's previous discussion regarding a potential dock moratorium. She reported that, since the last quarterly meeting, she had gathered additional information concerning potential impacts on other Town departments and the Commission's authority to pursue a moratorium. The Harbormaster and Shellfish Division indicated that they neither support nor oppose a moratorium and do not anticipate a significant impact on their day-to-day operations. Staff added that shellfish seeding costs are projected to decrease and that both departments would continue providing technical information as the discussion progresses. Information obtained from the Assessing Department indicated that waterfront properties are generally assessed at a higher value because of their water access, while only existing docks are included in property assessments. It was also noted that a lengthy moratorium could increase the market value of properties with existing docks because of their limited availability. Ms. Pitt explained that she had not yet requested an opinion from Town Counsel because other Commission business had taken priority. She noted that dock moratoriums had been adopted in Warren and Barnstable, which she believed suggested that Mashpee may have similar authority under home-rule provisions. If the Commission chose to pursue the concept further, she stated that legal review would be appropriate after a draft proposal had been developed. Commissioners discussed the need for additional information before determining whether to pursue a moratorium. Topics included the number of existing docks in Town, waterfront properties potentially eligible for future docks, recent dock applications,how other municipalities have structured similar moratoriums, and whether any future moratorium should apply to coastal waters, freshwater ponds, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs), Natural Heritage areas, or other environmentally sensitive water bodies. The discussion also addressed whether repairs to existing docks should continue to be allowed during any moratorium. It was suggested that repairs for safety or navigational purposes and the existing process for 6