Environmental Oversight Committee
October 11, 2007
Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Meeting Agenda
7:00 p.m. Call to order
Review/approval of minutes from prior meetings
7:05 p.m. Communications
Public Comment
7:10 p.m. New Business
Catherine Laurent – Assistant Director of Public Works
Quinaquissett Avenue Storm Drain Project
Stormwater Management
8:00 p.m. Old Business
Review of action items
Updates from members
8:45 p.m. Agenda items for November 8, 2007 Meeting
Andrew McManus Conservation Agent
Land Steward Program
Update on Storm Water Report
Update on NPDES Permit
Update on Conservation Commission Activities
9:00 p.m. Meeting adjournment
Present: Don Myers, Ed Baker, Beverly Kane, Richard York, Ralph Marcelli
Absent: Ted Theis, Lyle Hasley
Meeting Called to Order by Chairman Myers at 7:00 p.m.
Town Hall, Conference Room #1
NEW BUSINESS:
Catherine Laurent – Assistant Director of Public Works:
Catherine Laurent, Assistant Director of Public Works was in attendance to discuss the following issues with members of the Environmental Oversight Committee;
Quinaquissett Avenue Paving/Storm Drain Project:
Matters related to the Quinaquissett Avenue paving and storm drain project were reviewed. Ms. Laurent indicated that work is near completion. Several leaching basins and bio retention filters have been installed in three locations along Quinaquissett Avenue to reduce run-off on the Mashpee side of the Santuit River. The leaching basins, 50’x 8’ with a depth of 3’ are designed to handle the “first flush” of run-off.
It was suggested that a Town policy be developed to consider base practices when storm drains are changed or reconstructed. It was agreed that storm water management overlay areas in the district should be set up for these sensitive areas.
It was noted the Senior Environmental Corp. has field located the Town’s catch basins with GPS. The next step in the process is to work with Tom Mayo on updating the GIS layer and establishing a protocol for updating in the future. Work would include assigning attributes to each catch basin, such as size of tank, connections, overflow, date of installation (from this time forward) etc. This would be helpful for cleaning, for catch basin repairs and new installations.
On Quaker Run, the leaching basins are 8’ x 40’ having a depth of 3’.
In an effort to protect the Mashpee River woodlands, it was agreed this matter would be further reviewed to consider the entrance as a one-way and the only road at the turn onto Quinaquissett Avenue from Route 28.
In the spring of 2008, a maintenance plan and potential BMP actions for the Sampson’s Mill Road bridge area would also be addressed.
Stormwater Management:
Ms. Laurent indicated she would provide the EOC with a memo outlining the maintenance policy for roads, leaching pits and regulations for stormwater management.
It was noted the NPDES PII Small MS4 General Permit is completing its fourth year. The current permit relative to stormwater management regulations expires in March of 2008. Ms. Laurent will give the EOC a follow-up prior to the permit expiration.
OLD BUSINESS:
Updates on Action Items:
Recycling:
Recycling initiatives were discussed. Ms. Laurent indicated that recycling proposals have been discussed and are underway in the schools and in municipal buildings. All Town buildings are now recycling all grades of paper.
Condominium recycling and the requirement for private haulers to provide recycling programs was discussed.
It was agreed that signage should be placed at the Transfer Station informing residents that recycling does not require a sticker and that recycling is offered at no additional cost.
The pay-as-you throw program was recommended as a recycling initiative.
The DPW sells recycling bins for $20, and are looking at taking 3-7 plastics.
Updates on Action Items:
Creation of Land Steward Program:
It was agreed the Conservation Commission representative would attend
a future EOC Meeting to discuss the feasibility of creating a Town Lands Volunteer Stewards Corps.
Santuit Pond:
It was noted that people may be camping on Santuit Pond illegally.
The outlets from the pond are also blocked, and there has been no update from Conservation Agent with respect to this regard.
Mr. York outlined a proposal to acquire automated water quality parameter measuring devices. The Committee voted unanimously to support Mr. York’s effort to acquire the automated water quality parameter measuring devices seeking funding through the Mashpee Cable and Advanced Technology Advisory Board (MCAT).
It was agreed the Town Manager would be requested to consider an RFP to fund a study to determine the source of phosphorus pollution in Santuit Pond.
The University of New Hampshire websites were disclosed as follows;
Environmental Education:
Planning is underway for a recycling fair at the school this year. The Environmental Club has taken the lead in this effort to highlight recycling at the annual school fair.
Grant Applications:
It was noted that state DEP grant funds are available for an Oil Spill Response Plan. The Fire Department has recently received information relative to oil containment. The Town has an oil spill plan developed in conjunction with the DEP, Harbormaster, and Shellfish Constable.
Schools:
The School Department is considering a study to review the Zone II boundaries impacting the Mashpee High School discharge facility. The wastewater plan is contingent upon the Zone II designation.
It was noted the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is working to make the entire sound a no-discharge area.
EOC Status Report:
It was agreed the EOC would forward updates to Mr. Baker within (10) days of the next meeting for the EOC Status Report:
Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen M. Soares
EOC Committee Secretary
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