Mashpee Annual Town Meeting May 1 is focused on water quality. Here's a closer look.
Water quality continues to be at the heart of heated discussions as buffer zones, wastewater management, raze and replace, and horsepower along Santuit Pond are up for votes at Mashpee's special town meeting and the 2023 annual town meeting, said Mary Waygan, a member of Mashpee's planning board.
"These are really important decisions and people are at odds so it will be interesting to see how things go," she said.
The evening will kick off with Mashpee Special Town Meeting (7 articles) at 7 p.m., Monday at Mashpee Middle-High School, followed by Mashpee Annual Town Meeting (45 articles).
Millions in capital improvement surround DPW, fire and HVAC systems
During the annual town meeting, Article 3 will ask voters to appropriate and transfer about $6.6 million from available funds to various department capital accounts, including $526,527 for the Department of Public Works. The money will be used for a dump truck and other vehicle replacements.
About $425,000 will be appropriated to the Mashpee Fire Department for a new ambulance; $5.1 million will go to the Planning and Construction Committee for floor replacement, and HVAC upgrades for schools, energy audits and design and engineering projects.
Article 10 seeks to move Phase 1 sewer completion off the ground
The $12 million sewer article is number 10 on the warrant, submitted by the Mashpee Select Board and Sewer Commission. Voters will decide if $12 million should be appropriated for the completion of Phase 1 construction of the town's comprehensive nitrogen and wastewater management, treatment and disposal improvement project, including sanitary sewer mains, lift stations, and related wastewater collection and treatment system improvements.
More: What new buffer zone bylaws could mean for Mashpee homeowners with construction plans
The town requested — and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection approved — the inclusion of the money in its 2023 Intended Use Plan for a zero-interest State Revolving Fund loan.
Will boat speeds be reduced to 10 miles per hour at Santuit Pond?
Article 27 is about speed restrictions for boats cruising on the 176-acre Santuit Pond with a motor or engine. If passed, Article 27 will regulate maximum speeds to 10 miles per hour.
Because Santuit Pond’s depth is under 11 feet throughout, with an average depth of only 6.5 feet, the shallow waterway, according to the warrant, contains elevated phosphorus levels. The speed restriction is intended to limit disturbance and resuspension of phosphorous-laden sediment into the water column, resulting from deep mixing caused by motorized boats.
Exceptions will include vessels owned or authorized by an agency of the United States government, tribal government, or by a state, county, city or town.Article 27 was submitted by the Department of Natural Resources, but is also duplicated by Article 42, a citizen petition submitted by Matt Jalowy, a member of Mashpee Pond Coalition.If Article 27 passes, violators of speed limits can be fined $300.
Buffer zone increases aim to protect water resources in Mashpee
Petition Articles 39 and 40 pertain to an increase in wetland buffer zones from 100 to 150 feet; and an increase in naturally vegetative buffer strips from 50 to 75 feet, in order to provide increased pollution and sediment removal from waters entering wetlands, and to increase the area available for wildlife habitat.
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If the articles pass, private landowners will work with Mashpee Conservation Commission to remove, fill, dredge, build upon, degrade, discharge into, or otherwise alter land within 150 feet of a wetland resource area, or 75 feet within a naturally vegetative strip.
Articles 39 and 40 were submitted by Susan Dangel of Mashpee Clean Waters and Save Mashpee Wakeby and Pond Alliance.
Two articles mirror warrant articles 36 and 37 and were submitted by Mashpee Conservation Commission.
Raze and replace
Article 45 asks voters to decide whether to repeal section 17.1 of the 2018 Raze and Replace zoning bylaw. If passed, Article 45 will remove the ability of the Board of Appeals to approve raze and replacement of pre-existing and non-conforming dwellings by special permit.
In its description, the petition article said aspects of the 2018 Raze and Replace bylaw resulted in detrimental building height, lot coverage, and impacts on natural resources. The article won't prohibit homeowners from rebuilding or renovating structures but will ensure that raze and replace projects won't harm neighborhoods and waters, according to Repeal Raze Replace website.Article 45 is a citizen petition submitted by Mashpee resident Glenn McCarthy.
Rachael Devaney writes about community and culture. Reach her at rdevaney@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @RachaelDevaney.
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Mashpee Town Meeting: Santuit Pond speed limit, sewers, water quality
