Minutes
Critical Planning Committee
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009
Town Hall
Present: Marc Stahl, Chairman, Dwight Woodson, Mike Cole, Joan Sullivan, Bob Smith, Ken Taber, Ken Ainsworth
Also present: Sarah Raposa, Town Planner, Sandy Bayne, Stephen Wasby, Russ French, Tom Lapham
Agenda:
- Approval of Minutes
- Presentation by Water Management Committee
- Committee members suggestions for future projects
- NEVC update on the housing study plan
- Bay/Pond Beach Subcommittee
The minutes of the meetings of October 30, 2008, December 30, 2008 and January 14, 2009 were approved.
Sandy Bayne of the Water Management Committee spoke on the need for approval of Warrant Article 17 at the Town Meeting on May 4th. The Article would allow testing and permitting of three wells on town land in Districts G and H and at the Nauset Regional High School and in addition would conduct an evaluation to determine costs and feasibility of obtaining 500,000 gallons of water per day or more from the Town of Orleans. The cost of the proposal would be $3.15 million primarily for testing and permitting.
Sandy spoke of the need for a future water supply for the town in that testing has shown that nitrogen levels are increasing as the town has developed and that other pollutants while not specifically tested are no doubt in the water supply. In response to questions as to why not a waste water system first, she said such a system may be necessary for particular areas but not for the entire town. Suggestions were made by committee members to ensure effective presentation at the town meeting.
Committee members responded to the Chairman’s requests for possible future issues to be explored. The charge and purpose of CPC is to be open minded, to look into areas of concern to the town for a limited period and then to advise the Board of Selectmen. It was stated that the 3 priorities of the town were the town beaches, new sources of revenue and an examination of current revenue. The following items were discussed:
1) Currently, the town committee structure is cumbersome, overlapping and ineffective. There is little communication between committees and with the Board of Selectmen.
2) Alternative revenue for the town is needed.
3) Boat slips at Rock Harbor could be increased. The large parking area there for boat owners is seldom full.
4) CPC needs to look at the large picture of the town and the different communities that live here to ensure future economic sustainability. The business community, the town committees and the town management need to be involved.
5) The Stantec report offered many recommendations for improvement in the town and these could be investigated.
Marc will prepare a list of suggestions for dissemination to the members.
The Town Planner reported that the town administration is working on a housing assessment and production plan. A certified housing plan should be available in 4 or 5 months. In addition, the town administrator, the health agent and the town planner had met with officials from the Sheraton to discuss the need for an upgrade of the Sheraton wastewater system.
The future of the Bay/Beach sub-committee was discussed. Committee members agreed that Eastham beaches are the first priority of the town and essential to our economic viability. The sub-committee has been very effective in initiating many improvements and instrumental in bringing attention to this important resource. At this point, the committee strongly believes it is the appropriate time for the town to appoint a Beach Advisory Committee. Such a request will be made to the Board of Selectmen.
The meeting adjourned at 3:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan Sullivan
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