Mashpee boards weigh 65-unit Route 28 housing proposal, budget transfers, and cemetery expansion plans
Mashpee's boards and committees turned their attention to housing, budget transfers, and water quality in a busy stretch of late-July meetings. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of the sessions covered below, the items reflect what was scheduled on each agenda rather than confirmed outcomes.
Zoning Board weighs 40B rental proposal on Route 28
The Zoning Board of Appeals scheduled a continued public hearing on a comprehensive permit under M.G.L. 40B for 65 rental units — 17 of them affordable — on 1.86 acres at Route 28 and Jobs Fishing Road. The agenda also listed written findings for nonconforming structures at 63 Monahansett Road and 14 Little Neck Lane, both continued to September 9, 2026; a special permit to raze and replace a garage at 9 Tuspaquin Road; and an appeal of the building commissioner's failure to act on building permits for 22 and 26 Oyster Way.
Finance Committee takes up end-of-year transfers
The Finance Committee met July 22 to consider and approve requests for end-of-year budget transfers, with no other substantive items listed. A second Finance Committee meeting on July 30 was set to interview a candidate for a vacant committee seat, review Draft #1 of October Town Meeting Warrant articles, and approve minutes from July 9 and July 22.
Select Board and Planning Board to interview Planning Board candidate
The Select Board and Planning Board held a joint session July 27 to interview Teresa Ronhock and possibly vote to fill an associate member vacancy on the Planning Board through May 8, 2027. The Select Board agenda also included one-day liquor license applications for concerts at The Listening Room of Cape Cod on August 6 and November 6, 2026, and for a "Ships and Giggles" comedy show at Cape Cod Children's Museum on November 17, 2026. The board planned to discuss pickleball court operations, certify the hiring process for two entry-level firefighters/EMTs (Gabriel Tellez and Joshua Vinitsky), and enter executive session to discuss negotiations with Deputy Police Chief Thomas Rose.
Transfer Station contract negotiation set
The Upper Cape Regional Transfer Station Board of Managers scheduled an executive session to negotiate a final contract with Cavossa Disposal Corp. for reuse of the transfer station. The meeting was held entirely in executive session, with no public session scheduled.
Cemetery Commission reviews expansion and fees
The Cemetery Commission agenda for July 27 included review of a draft master plan for the Great Neck Woods Cemetery expansion, discussion of designating a dedicated Muslim section, review of cemetery plot fees, and review of a letter from Jennifer Hagan regarding disinterment of remains for burial at Great Neck Woods Cemetery.
Conservation and water quality discussions
The Conservation Commission met July 23 to reorganize, including a vote for vice chair, and discuss water quality issues and initiatives. The agenda also listed Christine Froehlich's application to join the commission, Teresa Ronhock's property transfer at 136 Degrass Road to a conservation restriction, and Red Brook Road Culvert project updates.
The Freshwater Ponds Committee scheduled a presentation on the state of the ponds by Water Quality Coordinator Ashley Fisher and a conservation update by Assistant Conservation Agent Dan Kent, plus public Q&A.
The Mashpee Wakeby Lake Management Committee planned to accept June 23 minutes, discuss lake measurements taken every two weeks, review a July 21 informational meeting on fresh water ponds at Mashpee Library, and review Mashpee and Wakeby boating regulations.
Community Preservation Committee to reconsider prior votes
The CPC agenda for July 28 included reconsideration of prior votes on a Ponds Diagnostic Study, Shared Regional Housing Services, and Friends of Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge; a vote on setting 10% of FY27 estimated revenue into reserves; and reorganization by electing a chair, vice chair, and clerk.
Other committee activity
The Inclusion and Diversity Committee agenda listed discussion of the MIDC budget, a decision to skip the August meeting in favor of homework, a new member update for Nawal Macedo, a survey follow-up, and an Enterprise Column update.
The Economic Development and Industrial Corporation planned to approve June 30 minutes, discuss a Guide for Business, review a resume from Bill Russell of Island Pickle for appointment to the EDIC Board, and hear a treasurer's financial report.
The Waterways Commission scheduled interviews of Michael Zafiropoulos and Larry Travers for open seats, an Ockway Bay dredging and marina update, survey results for a new Poppy wider deeper approach channel, mooring rule changes, and a review of the current WW account balance.
Coming up
- **August 5 — Planning Board:** Vote on subdividing a 2.71-acre lot at 333 Rock Landing Road into five lots; vote on funding for Ed Pesce engineering invoices for Willow Circle, Chipotle, and Silver Leaf Lane; proposed amendment to subdivision rules on attractive nuisances; and a Town Planner report on Topspin Way, Country Club Lane, Oyster Way, Ancient Ways, and OSRP RFP.
- **August 6 — Conservation Commission:** Decision on 61 and 67 Shoestring Bay Road project; updates on Red Brook Road Culvert, Upper Quashnet Restoration, and Johns Pond milfoil removal; proposed single-family dwelling at 190 Monomoscoy Road with mitigation plantings; and proposed septic system upgrade at 11 Clamshell Lane.
- **August 6 — Finance Committee:** Review and take action on Draft #1 of October Town Meeting Warrant articles; Town Manager updates; and a presentation from the Chair of the Community Preservation Committee.