HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic comment Bealsey 7.17.2025 Conservation Commission
Town of Yarmouth, Massachusetts
Regarding: Petition 1908504
Natasha and Oliver Brahms
88 & 100 Mill Lane, Yarmouth Port, Ma
From Glen & Donna Beasley
105 Wharf Lane
Yarmouth Port, Mass.
Contact: gebeasley(a�msn.com
July 17, 2025
Thank you for the opportunity to submit our input.
We are twenty two year residents of Wharf Lane here in Yarmouth Port. We fondly remember the
Bilezikian Family farm and welcome the thoughts of the farm becoming "alive" again.
Our questions and concerns are not directed toward the farm or farm animals rather to the scale,
scope of a commercial farms impact on existing conditions and concerns of our neighborhood.
I have six questions / comments directed to the town and the commission:
Neighborhood access and traffic
Looking at the MEMA and FEMA flood maps, specifically the intersection of Water St and Mill Lane.
The maps indicate a strong triangle of concern at that intersection for flooding which also looks to be
near the planned location of the Compost location. This triangle is also close to the area defined for
commercial shell fishing.
• Should a better location be chosen for the Compost away from the roads, which minimizes any
risk that might impact water conditioning?
Emergency Evacuation Route
Our neighborhood Evacuation Route requires us to circle back to Thatcher Shore Road up to Union
Street and then up to Route 6. Road flooding access problems exist at the one lane Keaveney Lane
Bridge, on Mill Lane toward 6a, at the corner of Mill Lane and Water St, at the corner of Water Street
and Wharf Lane and on Wharf Lane at the intersection of Thatcher Shore Rd.
• Should Traffic and Animal evacuation plans be expanded to include a farm operations be a
consideration?.
Road Conditions:
Keaveney Lane: the rebuilt, single lane bridge is in disrepair again. Several potholes have been
temporarily repaired, and the stone and bolder bridge underpinning and marsh protection walls have
collapsed and given into the impact of tides, storms and residential traffic.
• Should size, weight and type of vehicles be considered to maintain a safe access route?
Mill Lane, Wharf Lane, Water Street and Thacher Shore Road are very narrow roadways. As a rule,
two cars cannot pass each other in opposite directions without one pulling off to the side. This is
without factoring in a car parked on the side of the road, overflowing invasive growth, large constant
walking and biking traffic.
• Should a specific access route be defined and road conditions established for commercial
traffic?
Invasive Plant Growth and Neighborhood Vista
I have already mentioned the marsh issue at the Keaveney Bridge. I have had the opportunity to
speak with the commission in the past regarding the significant impact invasive plant growth has had
on the rapidly disappearing vista of Cape Cod Bay along our entire neighborhood.
• If the Commission's position has changed on the use of Goats to control and eliminate this
hinderance, will the town address Thacher Shore Road, Wharf Lane and Water Street walls of
Invasive Plants?
Tha ou for your attention to my questions and concerns.
len Beasley Donna Beasley
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These are results for do goats have equine encephalitis
Search instead for do goats have equine encefilitis
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Yes, goats can get equine encephalitis, specifically Eastern Equine Encephalitis
(EEE).
While horses and humans are considered dead-end hosts for the EEE virus,
meaning they don't produce enough virus to infect mosquitoes, goats can
become infected through mosquito bites and potentially develop neurological
signs and even fatal meningoencephalitis.
In some cases, outbreaks of EEE in horses have been accompanied by
infections in goats. Therefore, it's important for goat owners to be aware of this
risk and take precautions to protect their animals, such as reducing mosquito
exposure.
Eastern Equine Animals in Gadsden test
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These are results for donkey equine encephalitis
Search instead for donkey equine encefilitis
+ Al Overview W +10
Equine encephalitis refers to inflammation of the brain in
Donkeys are susceptible to several types of equine encephalitis, including
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE), and
Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE). These viruses can cause severe
neurological symptoms and even death in affected animals.
Key points about equine encephalitis and donkeys:
• Transmission: Mosquitoes transmit the viruses to equines when they bite an
infected animal and then bite another.
• EEE, WEE, and VEE: These are the main types of equine encephalitis that affect
donkeys.
• Symptoms: Neurological signs, such as fever, depression, lack of coordination
(ataxia), paralysis, and changes in behavior, can be observed according to the
Vermont Department of Health and the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
• Risk: Horses are more commonly affected, but donkeys are also at risk.
• Prevention: Vaccinations are available for horses, and preventative measures like
mosquito control and personal protection are crucial for all equines, including
donkeys.
• EHV-8: A specific type of equine herpesvirus (EHV-8) has also been identified as a
cause of neurological disease in donkeys, causing symptoms similar to other equine
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Managing flies at horse farms in Mashpee, MA
Horse farms in Mashpee, MA, like other locations, can experience fly problems,
especially during warmer months.
Flies are not just a nuisance; they can transmit diseases to horses and cause
skin irritation. An effective fly control program requires a multi-pronged
approach targeting different aspects of the fly life cycle and the horse farm
environment.
1. Sanitation and manure management
• Remove manure regularly: House flies and stable flies breed in manure. Removing it
frequently from stalls and paddocks eliminates breeding grounds.
• Compost manure properly: If composting, pile manure to create heat that kills fly
eggs and larvae. Cover the pile with a tarp to keep flies out.
• Spread manure thinly: If spreading manure on fields, do so in thin layers so it dries
quickly and becomes less attractive to flies.
• Minimize moisture: Fix leaky hoses and waterers, and ensure proper drainage
around the barn and paddocks, as flies need moisture to reproduce.
• Maintain feed areas: Keep feed areas clean, store feed in sealed containers, and
remove spilled feed promptly.
2. Biological control
• Introduce fly parasites: Fly parasites are tiny wasps that prey on fly pupae, killing
them before they mature into adult flies. They are a natural and non-toxic solution,
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according to Spalding Labs.
3. Physical barriers
• Fly masks, sheets, and boots: These physical barriers offer protection against flies,
particularly for horses sensitive to bug bites.
• Screens and curtains: Use screens on windows and doors to keep flies out of barn
areas. Fly curtains can also be hung at barn entrances.
4. Fly traps and repellents
• Fly traps: Strategically place fly traps around the perimeter of the property to lure
flies away from horses and barns.
• Fly sprays: Use fly sprays on horses to repel and kill adult flies. Consider sprays with
ingredients like pyrethrin, pyrethroids, or natural oils like citronella or lemongrass.
• Premise sprays and misting systems: Consider premise sprays or automated
misting systems for the barn to reduce adult fly populations.
5. Other strategies
• Fans: Use fans in the barn and stalls to increase air circulation, making it difficult for
flies to land on horses.
• Feed-through fly control: Some products containing insect growth regulators can
be fed to horses, disrupting the fly life cycle by preventing eggs from hatching in
manure. 61
Important considerations
• Species identification: Different fly species respond to different control methods.
Identifying the specific fly pests impacting your farm can help tailor your approach.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A successful fly control program often involves
a combination of these methods, a strategy known as Integrated Pest Management
(IPM), which is an environmentally sensitive approach to managing pests.
• Consult professionals: If dealing with a persistent fly problem, consider contacting a
local agricultural extension agent or a pest control professional specializing in horse
farms or large properties.
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In residential zones on Cape Cod, the primary businesses allowed are home
occupations and certai
. Home businesses, like online
retail or administrative offices, may be allowed with restrictions, while larger
commercial activities are typically confined to commercial or mixed-use
zones.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Home Occupations:
• Many residential zones allow for home-based businesses, but these are usually
subject to strict limitations.
• Examples include online retail, administrative offices (provided they don't have
public access), and certain professional services.
• Restrictions typically limit the size of the business, the number of employees, and
the extent of customer interaction on the property.
• Specific prohibitions often include things like:
o Barber shops or beauty salons.
o Commercial stables or kennels.
o Retail sales from the premises, except for online or mail order sales.
o Antique or secondhand goods sales (excluding online or mail order).
2. Neighborhood Businesses:
• Some residential areas may include designated zones for "neighborhood business
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districts" or "village centers," which allow for a limited range of commercial activities
serving the local community.
• These districts often permit businesses like small grocery stores, post offices,
restaurants, or personal service establishments.
• The specific types of businesses and their allowable scale will be determined by the
local zoning bylaws for that particular area.
3. Mixed-Use Developments:
• Some towns on Cape Cod are actively encouraging mixed-use zoning, which allows
for a combination of residential and commercial uses in the same area.
• This can include smaller infill projects or larger redevelopments of underutilized
commercial sites.
• These developments often aim to create vibrant, walkable communities with a mix of
housing and amenities.
4. Restrictions:
• In general, residential zones are intended to protect the character of neighborhoods
and minimize the impact of commercial activities.
• Therefore, businesses like manufacturing, large-scale retail, or industrial activities
are typically not allowed in residential zones. cP
• Local zoning bylaws will dictate what types of businesses are permitted in specific
zones, so it's crucial to consult the relevant town's zoning regulations.
Appendix A - Cape Cod Supporting mixed-usee Mixed
Commission development on Cape Cod - Cape
Location: Along Rte. 28 (Orleans Rd.) Sep 29, 2023 — Supporting mixed- 1111
.;,
roughly between Misty Meadow Lan... use development on Cape Cod * A...
Cape Cod Commission Cape Cod Commission Cap
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districts" or "village centers," which allow for a limited range of commercial activities
serving the local community.
• These districts often permit businesses like small grocery stores, post offices,
restaurants, or personal service establishments.
• The specific types of businesses and their allowable scale will be determined by the
local zoning bylaws for that particular area.
3. Mixed-Use Developments:
• Some towns on Cape Cod are actively encouraging mixed-use zoning, which allows
for a combination of residential and commercial uses in the same area.
• This can include smaller infill projects or larger redevelopments of underutilized
commercial sites.
• These developments often aim to create vibrant, walkable communities with a mix of