Town of Mashpee
Blue Ribbon Committee
Minutes of Meeting
December 8, 2005
Blue Ribbon Committee Members present: Zella Elizenberry; Chuckie Green; Beverly Kane; John Miller; Don Myers, Chairman; Ted Theis; and Glenn Santos
Also present: F. Thomas Fudala, Town Planner; Catherine Laurent, DPW; and David Rich (Water District).
A quorum being present, the Town of Mashpee Blue Ribbon Committee was called to order in Conference Room #1, Mashpee Town Hall, 16 Great Neck Road North, Mashpee, Massachusetts at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 8, 2005. The Chairman, Don Myers, presided.
Approval of Minutes…Zella Elizenberry motioned that the minutes of October 27, 2005 and November 10, 2005 be accepted; Glenn Santos seconded this motion; and it was passed.
Agenda Item Added
Don Myers asked for a motion to add what the Town is doing to conserve water to tonight’s agenda under Water Resources topic.
Motion: Chuckie Green made the motion to make this addition to the agenda; Glenn Santos seconded the motion; and it was unanimously passed.
Catherine Laurent – DPW
Catherine Laurent addressed the Committee noting the following and, most specifically, fertilization of town properties:
· DPW maintains 2 different types of Town property—(1) 11 acres of playing fields at Heritage Park, and (2) Town buildings.
· Heritage Park – professional landscaper hired to maintain these fields in terms of fertilization.
· Do have irrigation at the fields.
· In Fall, fields are top dressed with compost, but not using organic at this time.
· Limited pesticide treatment used—done on an as-needed basis.
· Not currently doing any extensive testing of soil at the fields.
· Town buildings – Landscape contractor hired to do 4-step fertilization of landscape area immediately around buildings.
In discussing that various issues with Catherine, the following questions/comments were raised:
· Q – Don Myers asked whether or not contractor would use organic materials; Catherine responded that we have not approached contractor to do this.
· Q – Don then asked do we specify that contractor should use plantings that require less water. Catherine said we do request appropriate plantings for the environment because they are the type that end up surviving. As an example she said that at the new Senior Center (which was a site DPW inherited) they already had to go in and replace some of the plantings that did not survive because they were not able to survive the environment.
· Q – Do we actively try to conserve energy? Catherine noted that with energy crisis this last year Cape Light Compact gave the Town a grant and some buildings were put on motion detection lighting and they are working on getting exterior lighting timers adjusted, etc.
· Q – Chuckie Green asked what are goals for nitrogen production and can we do more with compost?
· Q – Glenn Santos added to Chuckie’s question with a statement about Agrasource and that he noted in Danvers they used Spring Compost and cut water usage by 40%.
· Catherine responded that they followed Glenn’s suggestion and she already spoke with Guy. Also they did do a mix of compost from the Transfer Station and they know they need to work with Schools and coordinate efforts with them.
· Q – Beverly Kane said when Town contracts with landscapers have no restrictions on amount of pesticides they use been specified? Catherine said we rely on contractor expertise.
· Q – Zella Elizenberry asked what about cost? Catherine replied that organic tends to cost more.
Catherine also informed the Committee that DEP has a program for holding workshops for towns and residents and they will come to the community and to committees to help get the word out to the public.
Don Myers asked Catherine if DPW would also include information in the printed pamphlet they routinely put out.
Consensus of the Committee…The consensus of the Committee is that this Committee is looking to the Town to set the example. Organic programs provide better results in the long term. One landscape contract is coming up for renewal and this committee would like to see option of moving toward organic methodology. Catherine indicated she is willing to take this on.
Motion: Chuckie Green motioned the this Committee send a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen that they move forward with pro-actively managing the nitrogen levels by the Town setting an example; Beverly Kane seconded the motion; and it was unanimously passed.
Catherine exited the meeting.
Old Business
Glenn Santos reported the following statistics, which he received from Tom Fudala:
· 9,890 Homes currently in Town.
· 6,241 Are year-round residences.
· Under 1978 Code, there were 1,784 cesspools in town. 50% of these were upgraded.
· 855 cesspools left in town.
· 214 residential alternative systems currently in town.
· 9 wastewater treatment plants currently in town.
· 2,000 alternative systems in the State. Therefore, Mashpee has 10% of State total.
· Q – John Miller asked how many of the State 2,000 are in Barnstable County? Glenn responded that figure not known.
· Q – Zella Elizenberry asked how many year-round residents participate in wastewater treatment systems? Tom Fudala responded to this question that there are 990+ residences and 4 no residences.
· Q – John Miller asked what triggers requirement to upgrade to Title V? Glenn said right now certain property upgrades or property sale could require upgrade. Glenn also noted that right now the Mashpee Board of Health is going to make it part of regulations that if you are selling the property you have to have Title V.
· Q – John Miller asked is there any way to make it that Board of Health inspect the cesspools that exist without sale or upgrade? Glenn said the Board of Health doesn’t feel comfortable doing this and that a lot of those homes are seasonal cottages.
Dave Rich – Water District
Dave Rich introduced himself to the Committee stating he is Operations Manager of the Water District and that he does not establish policy. Dave said the invitation letter sent to him erroneously identified him as Chairman. He went on to say that in his capacity as Operations Manager any comments or views he makes to this Committee are from his personal viewpoint and experience and do not represent the Water District policy or position. Don Myers commented that it would be helpful if he would talk about concerns from the operational standpoint regarding wells and facilities.
· Dave Rich said he doesn’t foresee any major threats because the Board of Water Commissioners have bought substantial lands well beyond the required radius to protect the well.
· They have to regularly look at all of the areas because, as an example, if one gallon of gas is dropped in the ground it can contaminate one million gallons of water.
· Final negotiations underway to take land for use as a potential well site.
· Looking toward the future. In this business there is no certainty that any well site won’t be contaminated.
· We’re in final phase of developing a 6th well site.
· Water District was only established in 1987.
· In 1991 we expanded from 2,000 to 8500 or 8700 services.
· We are pumping about 35% on annual daily average.
· 3-5 weeks (typically July and August) pump above average.
· We also have storage to meet peek demand.
· For next year we can meet daily demand—don’t know 5 years from now.
· David feels goal should be to have everyone on town water. As a health issue, it is critical because of testing Town is required to do.
· David stressed that testing they do is not only at well site but in land surrounding well site so they would know of any contaminants putting well site at risk way before reaching well site.
· Whenever people added to Town water, Water District encourages them to keep their private wells for irrigation use.
· Schools and ball fields have their own well.
· Q – Any concern that private wells could contaminate town water? Dave said that cannot happen because there cannot be any connection. State regulations stipulate there can be no physical connection between private and town water supply.
· Q – Don Myers asked Dave for any thoughts he might have on wastewater? Dave responded with his “personal” thoughts…he feels it is in the best interests of the residents of the community when Mashpee gets to this stage to do it as Water/Sewer department vs. establishing another department within town.
· Q – John Miller asked should other departments be doing something? Dave said the District works very well with town and he can’t think of anything for Water to do better because we’ve worked with town to get anything accomplished that was needed.
· Q - Beverly Kane asked if Dave could offer any suggestion that Planning Board could do or town should do to institute any regulation? Dave responded “no”. He said we have rules and by-laws in place already.
· Q – Beverly Kane asked if the Water District has ever experienced a problem with high nitrogen levels. Dave said they have not because State acceptable level for nitrates in drinking water is 10; Mashpee’s sample the highest is 1.5 and that is stable.
Glenn Santos commented that if anyone comes to the Board of Health for a variance the Board of Health requires they hook to town water. He said they want more people off the private well and hooked to town water if possible.
Don Myers commented that the pro-active efforts the Water District has done in acquiring the land to protect the wells along with the pro-active testing is excellent.
Watersheds Map…Don Myers asked Tom Fudala to again point out the Mashpee watersheds on the graph Tom discussed at the last meeting. Referring to the map, Don then pointed out to Dave all the land around the wells not owned by Town. Dave explained that although we don’t own all land, we own enough land to protect our land and well site from immediate risk because of the testing we do on the surrounding land area.
Tom Fudala suggested that educating the public in the area near our well sites could be helpful in further protecting the sites.
John Miller asked whether or not the Water District would be receptive in assisting in sponsoring town educational pamphlets, etc. Dave said this is a policy issue to forward to the Board and that the Board has been supportive in public education.
Don Meyer suggested that when a home is sold the Water District provide educational material to new homeowner. Dave acknowledged that this is a good idea.
Dave stressed that one of the main issues we need to address, as a community, is water conservation. He said a new well site could take up to 8 years to develop.
Motion: Beverly Kane made a motion that as we discuss educational programs it would be worthwhile to have Mr. Rich and the Water District to have some discussions and come up with concrete examples and commitment to the programs; John Miller seconded this motion; and it was unanimously passed.
Motion: Zella Elizenberry motioned that we should recommend to the Selectmen that we have a permanent person or group in place that is accountable to make it happen since it is continual education; John Miller seconded the motion; and it was unanimously passed.
Chuckie Green posed the question as to how to set-up this vehicle. Zella responded that it is too premature to address that; let’s first get Selectmen reaction to the recommendation.
Dave commented that he’s involved with a number of organizations and he can say that on an average “education” works better than “regulation”.
Review of DCPC Action Items and Recommendations
Beverly Kane referred to a document dated December 5, 2005 that she provided to the committee wherein she took 12 action items from the Planning Board’s proposed DCPC and melded to each item the explanation portion from Tom Fudala’s 6-23-05 memo to the Selectmen. Tom will ask Charlotte to make this melded document into a word processing document for extra copies to be obtained electronically.
Beverly advised that at it’s January 4 meeting the Planning Board will take up those action items where they have jurisdiction; and Beverly suggested that the other boards, such as Conservation and Board of Health, etc. make a commitment to address items under their jurisdiction. Tom Fudala added a comment that Item 10 is a huge issue. Don Myers suggested that this Committee take back to their respective groups those items pertinent to those respective boards for those boards/groups to review and advise what actions should be taken.
Motion: Ted Thies motioned that this Committee recommends to our individual constituent boards and their representatives to take back to their respective boards for review and discussion at next available meeting those particular issues that pertain to their board and advise this Committee what actions should be taken. Beverly Kane seconded this motion; and it was unanimously passed.
Discussion
Tom Fudala stated that we do have an organization that is in wastewater business—that is, the Sewer Commission. Tom advised that there is an educational unit that is under contract. The focus will be on nitrogen. Tom also advised that the County has just begun a campaign as well. Tom cautioned this Committee that since we pay the contractor to do educational material this Committee should keep that in mind so there is no duplication of effort. Lastly, Tom commented that we want to go from Watershed “year” to Watershed “century”.
Beverly Kane asked: Do we owe the Selectmen a report? Don Myers responded that between now and our next meeting he would put together a document and asked the Committee to e-mail any comments they would like to have included. Don stated our mandate is specific action and he will draft the letter for this Committee’s approval at our next meeting and then go to the Selectmen.
John Miller asked whether we would include economic opportunity. He commented that it would be easy for the town to establish economic development and it would provide economic benefits to the town. This will be placed on the agenda for next meeting.
Summary
Don Myers summarized the major issues covered tonight:
1. Committee agreed to send recommendation to Selectmen that they move forward with pro-actively managing the nitrogen levels to set an example to the community.
2. Committee passed a motion to see what the Board can do along with Water District on educational material covering water conservation and other water issues.
3. On DCPC issues, each member representing a group to actively go back and get suggested actions and to provide to us at next available meeting.
Agenda Items for Next Meeting
· Economic Development Opportunity.
· Traffic land management—Rotary group made some progress.
Adjournment…Glenn Santos motioned the meeting be adjourned; Ted Thies seconded this motion; and it was unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Giliberti
Acting Recording Secretary
| 
