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Town Landing near completion; officials outline next steps for pond restoration
Summary
Consultants told the Mashpee Select Board that Town Landing improvements — funded by a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant — are substantially complete, with final plantings, punch-list items and planned fall work (including a treatment aimed at reducing internal phosphorus) developed with tribal and state partners to improve Mashpee Wakeby Pond water quality.
Consultants and town staff told the Mashpee Select Board on July 13 that the Town Landing improvements are substantially complete and that ongoing and planned work aims to reduce nutrient discharges to Mashpee Wakeby Pond.
"We're very close to being done," said Scott Turner of Fussin O'Neil, summarizing a project that used a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant to install stormwater infrastructure — three stormwater basins, a stormwater wetland, porous pavement in the parking area, a new access drive, a boat ramp and turnaround, a picnic area and a new dock. Turner said remaining items include plantings, stabilization and punch‑list tasks and that he expected project closeout in the coming weeks.
Turner said the project’s intent is to cut off stormwater sources of phosphorus; he and staff described coordination with tribal partners and plans for an "Allen treatment" the town expects to pursue in the fall using federal clean-water funding to address internal phosphorus loading in the pond. A staff member noted the town is deploying water-quality monitoring units and will continue oversight through the Ponds and Lakes Stewardship Program.
Board members and residents asked about safety features and evaluation. One board member asked whether a handrail was considered for the new stairs; project staff said a guardrail for vehicle areas and additional punch-list items, including the potential for handrails, would be evaluated and funded from remaining cash-match dollars if needed. On monitoring, Turner said the project does not currently include separate funding for long-term performance evaluation but that the town could consider additional monitoring to measure nutrient reductions over time.
The board praised the aesthetic and functional improvements. Project staff also noted community engagement elements, including artwork on a retaining wall featuring local animals and elements of the Wampanoag language. Residents and staff were invited to a July 21 public forum at the Mashpee Public Library to hear a broader update on pond health and monitoring.
The board did not take a formal vote on the Town Landing status update; the item was presented for information and next-step planning.
