Environmental Oversight Committee
April 16, 2009
Town Hall, Selectmen’s Conference Room
Meeting Agenda
Call to Order: 7:00 p.m.
Approval of Minutes: Thursday, February 12, 2009
Communications & Correspondence:
Public Comment
New Business:
Old Business:
Santuit Pond RFP Update
Mashpee Blue Book
Land Steward Program
Review of Action Items
Agenda Items for May 14, 2009 Meeting:
Meeting Adjournment
Environmental Oversight Committee
Minutes
April 16, 2009
Present: Don Myers, Ed Baker, Ted Theis, Ralph Marcelli,
James Leonard, Richard York
Meeting Called to Order by Chairman Myers at 7:08 p.m.
Town Hall, Selectmen’s Conference Room
MINUTES:
Thursday, February 12, 2009:
Motion made by Mr. Leonard to approve the minutes of
Thursday, February 12, 2009 as presented.
Motion seconded by Mr. Baker.
VOTE: Unanimous.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The MEC Guardian:
James Leonard distributed copies of the Spring 2009 Mashpee Environmental Coalition newsletter entitled The MEC Guardian.
The full pamphlet is now available online as an Adobe Acrobat File. The website address is www.mashpeemec.us.
Five key environmental issues are contained in the report relative to the status of the Land Stewardship program, the Mashpee River Estuary, Santuit Pond, the Town’s Solar Panels and Recycling.
The Mashpee Blue Book:
A letter of interest was received from Nikki Descoteaux to serve as a volunteer editor for the proposed Mashpee Blue Book. Ms. Descoteaux was expected to attend the EOC meeting to further discuss the project proposal with members of the Environmental Oversight Committee.
It was reported that no other letters of interest have been received to date.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Occupancy Sensors:
A recent magazine article considered the benefits of occupancy sensors in schools and other high use buildings. Occupancy sensors operate in a similar fashion to motion detectors. The units represent considerable cost savings for multiple lighting circuits and lights that tend to be left on. Discussion followed regarding use of sensors in the schools. Although purchase and installation fees are unknown, it was noted there are power assistance funds available to offset costs.
Annapolis Lawn Fertilizer Ordinance:
It was reported in the January 2009 issue of the Chesapeake Bay Journal, the city of Annapolis has banned the use and sale of residential lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus, with some exceptions, in an effort to reduce the amount of phosphorus, an algae-forming nutrient from entering the area waters. The ban effects lawn fertilizer used for non-agricultural purposes such as lawns, golf courses, parks and cemeteries. The ban does not affect fertilizer products primarily intended for gardening, trees, shrubs or indoor plants.
Several states in the Great Lakes region have also banned phosphorus in lawn fertilizer to help limit pollution to their fresh water areas. As other states have found merit in controlling phosphorus, it was suggested that a Cape-wide regional approach be considered in the future.
OLD BUSINESS:
Santuit Pond RFP Update:
Article 2 of the May 2009 Special Town Meeting Warrant will appropriate and transfer from available funds, the sum of $58,825 to the Santuit Pond Study Account. The article is intended to secure funding to procure the services of ENSR if Textron grant funding is not attained.
It was noted the grant funding application to the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs was submitted prior to the deadline of March 11, 2009. First round awards are estimated to be announced in May 2009.
OLD BUSINESS:
Santuit Pond/Lantern Lane – Stormwater Run-off:
Photographs of Lantern Lane depicting stormwater run-off into Santuit Pond were disseminated to the EOC Committee for review and discussion.
Additional storm drains are being installed on Timberlane Drive, an intersecting roadway. It was noted that Best Management Practices (BMP’s) do not appear to be incorporated into the drainage activity. The Committee suggested the DPW Director be consulted regarding the use and placement of steel wool into the area leach basins to assist in capturing the phosphorus before it enters the pond. A main source of phosphorus derives from roadway sand. The use of iron filing fencing was also given consideration.
Mashpee Blue Book:
The Orleans Blue Pages, the Island Blue Pages and the Pugent Sound book were reviewed by the EOC Committee to form.
Recognizing the value of the environment and education thereof, the Environmental Oversight Committee has taken the initiative to develop a booklet similar to the referenced documents, but site specific to the Town of Mashpee.
At the last meeting, Committee members were requested to provide input into the development of a Table of Contents for the Mashpee Blue Book. The EOC conducted a detailed review of potential topics for the Table of Contents. Additional topics under consideration include the Land Stewardship Program, Energy Conservation & Savings, the importance of Aquaculture, Water Facts, and the history and lifecycle of Shellfish that would include Mashpee’s propagation program to harvesting. Other topics include; Conservation, Hazardous Waste, Recycling and incorporating a Buy Local chapter.
Upon discussion, it was suggested the issues also be presented in a simplified manner to explain what the consumer can actually do to improve the environment. It was noted that all grade levels within the school system are interested in assisting with the new booklet.
It was agreed the Mashpee Blue Book, a work-in-progress would be published online on the Town’s website. In preparation for publication, the Committee agreed to further review specifics relative to the approval process. This includes the availability of material for reproduction, licensing requirements and costs associated to obtaining a digital master disc in editable format that could be edited for the Town of Mashpee.
Land Steward Program:
In an effort to get the Land Stewards Program back on track, the Conservation Agent, administrator of the program recently held a meeting at Town Hall. At the meeting, there was information regarding the use of the Town’s website for GIS purposes. To improve communication with the volunteers a newsletter is under consideration to update on the volunteer accomplishments and to convey the status of parcels being monitored. It is hopeful that coordination will improve between the Conservation Office and its volunteers. An additional meeting is expected to be held next month.
The EOC discussed the lack of coordination and managerial oversight of the Land Stewards Program which began last year. It was noted that fourteen reports were submitted from South Mashpee volunteers last year of furniture and other debris that has not been acted upon to date.
It was agreed a letter would be remitted to the Conservation Agent and Board of Selectmen addressing concerns of the EOC with respect to the Land Stewards program. Lack of communication and follow-up has foundered the program. It was suggested that an Eagle Scout be considered for possible involvement.
OLD BUSINESS:
Review of Action Items:
Environmental Education: The MHS Environmental Club recently received a donation of $100 from the Mashpee Environmental Coalition. It was reported the club has purchased bird and bat boxes to install in the area of the storm-water retention pond south of the Mashpee High School. The club meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 2:00 p.m. in room A234. The next meeting is May 4, 2009.
The Environmental Club is also working with the elementary schools, children and staff on environmental issues. The schools are no longer using paper cups for coffee. Glass is also being used in place of plastic bottles and cups.
Mashpee River Restoration: No change.
Combine Water-Sewer: No change. The minutes of the last Sewer Commissioners meeting were reviewed by the EOC. There has been no change in the status of discussions with the Mashpee Water District and Sewer Commission. It was suggested that discussions begin with neighboring towns with the goal of assigning shared responsibility
Motion made by Mr. Baker to recommend the Board of Selectmen engage in discussion with other town’s with the intermediate objective of determining each town’s share of watershed responsibility.
Motion seconded by Mr. Marcelli.
VOTE: Unanimous.
Natural Fertilizers/Friendly Lawn Program: No change
Grant Applications: Textron Grant Application submitted.
Brochures and Handouts: Closed.
Town-Wide Stormwater Management Plan: No change.
*Agenda topic; NPDES Permit
Santuit Pond: Discussed.
Land Stewards Program: Discussed.
Stormwater Biofilter: Closed; incorporated with Stormwater Management
Technology Applications: No change.
Recycling: Public Hearing – Saturday, May 11th, Popponesset Marketplace
New Seabury forum on (3) waste disposal options under consideration.
Ashumet Pond Phosphorus: Closed.
Pond Water Quality: No change.
NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING:
Thursday, May 14, 2009 – 7:00 p.m.
Agenda Topics:
Power Alternatives – Solar Energy
Review copy of draft alternative energy plan
Stormwater Management Plan - NPDES Permit
Mashpee Blue Book
Land Steward Program Update
Mashpee River Update
Adjournment:
Motion made by Mr. Baker to adjourn at 9:20 p.m.
Motion seconded by Mr. Marcelli.
VOTE: Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen M. Soares
Board Secretary
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