Town of Mashpee
Environmental Oversight Committee
Minutes of Meeting
November 12, 2009
Present: Selectman John Cahalane, Ed Baker, Mary Waygan, Rick York
Also Present: Beverly Kane
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Selectman Cahalane.
COMMUNICATIONS
Selectman Cahalane reported that Environmental Oversight Chairman Don Myers’ condition has improved daily. Selectman Cahalane added that Chairman Myers is in everyone’s thoughts and prayers and that everyone is awaiting his return.
MASHPEE BLUE BOOK
Ms. Kane stated that she was hoping to communicate with the high school representatives regarding the way in which school children would be involved with the graphics of the Blue Book and emphasized the importance of having the work completed by the end of the school year. Ms. Kane reported that the Mashpee Environmental Coalition had completed its work on the Mashpee specific drafts. Selectman Cahalane questioned funding for the project. Ms. Kane reported the estimated cost of $13,000 to print 10,000 copies which would be available to residents by mail and electronically, as well as to provide extra copies to the library and Town Clerk for new residents. Ms. Kane emphasized the value of having a copy in each household in order to educate people about the importance of caring for the
environment. Selectman Cahalane added, and Ms. Kane agreed, that money could be saved by small changes made by individuals. Selectman Cahalane questioned whether or not the cost of producing the book had been included in the next budget and Ms. Kane responded that the Chair had planned to investigate the possibility. Selectman Cahalane will check in to the possibility of money being available in the general fund and questioned whether or not additional funding sources might be available, such as the Conservation Commission. Mr. Baker noted that Orleans received funds from the Lottery Cultural Fund. Orleans also received funds from a variety of corporate and individual sponsors. Ms. Kane added that it would require more time to seek out donations for the book.
Commission members discussed Mr. Theis’ plan to talk with school representatives and the Chamber of Commerce regarding the graphics and naming of the book. Selectman Cahalane will follow up with the School Committee regarding representatives to the Environmental Oversight Committee.
Mr. Baker described the challenges associated with working with the graphics that are layered in the document. Selectman Cahalane recommended pursuing a grant from the Cable Advisory Committee in order to purchase the appropriate software, but it was suggested that, although the graphics are awkward to use, they can be utilized. Selectman Cahalane will talk to Mashpee’s IT department about the graphics and Ms. Kane will forward him the name of the software initially used to create the document.
Selectman Cahalane will follow up with Mr. Theis and Superintendent Ann Bradshaw regarding the school representatives, Tom Hoppensteadt and James Criasia, and school involvement in the Blue Book project.
NEW BUSINESS
No new business at this time.
OLD BUSINESS
Santuit Pond Update
Mr. Baker contacted Sarah MacDougall at AECOM regarding an update for the Santuit Study. A copy of Ms. MacDougall’s report is attached. Selectmen Cahalane will follow up with AECOM regarding monthly reports.
Mr. York has also been sampling the pond and reported that the state has not revealed toxins in the pond, although the presence of toxins in freshwater can turn off and on. Mr. Baker added that sampling protocol had been modified with AECOM based on their receipt of sonde monitoring unit data and lab samples from Mr. York, which changed the date of completion from May to January. Mr. York reported that monthly nutrient sampling began in October 2008, along with other water quality data, providing AECOM with a year’s worth of sampling data. Mr. York also noted that the sonde monitoring unit revealed low to no oxygen at the bottom layer during the summer. Upon completion of the study, Mr. Baker noted that AECOM would host a preliminary meeting with an initial report, which would be followed by
a final meeting and final report, to include all collected data, sources of the nutrients entering the pond and recommended methods to improve the pond. The meeting was expected to be open to the public through the Environmental Oversight Committee.
Mashpee River Update
Mr. Baker updated Selectman Cahalane regarding the Waterways Commission proposal to the Board of Selectman and the RFP process and his proposal to consider marsh restoration. Mr. Baker shared his concerns regarding the 1916 dredging and the blending proposal. Selectman Cahalane reported that there was not yet any additional information about the blending proposal. Mr. Baker also discussed the use of the hydraulic model in the bay. Additionally, Mr. Baker reported that over the last two years, two inlets were mechanically dredged and the spoils were transported to the Bourne landfill after being de-watered in a dumpster. Mr. Baker estimated the cost to be $18,000 at the landfill, and suggested that it might be a possible solution for the Waterways Commission proposal. Commission members
also discussed whether or not the area was better or worse than it used to be. Mr. York stated that there may be more nutrients in the water but that the oyster project had taken out 5% of the target reduction of nitrogen for the river and no fish kills had occurred since 2005. Additionally, the bacteria problem had improved which may be due to improvements in road run off projects over the last 10 years.
Action Items
Environmental Education-Awaiting representation
Mashpee River Restoration-No change
Combine Water-Sewer-No change
Natural Fertilizers-Close out
Grant Applications-Mr. Baker questioned whether or not the Commission should be seeking additional grants. Ms. Waygan volunteered to contact Barnstable County grant writers to inquire about their assistance to the Commission. Committee members were in agreement that the Blue Book would be an ideal candidate for a grant.
Town-Wide Storm Water Management Plan-Mr. Baker expressed the need for a town wide road specification document, as a stand-alone document, requiring use of storm water best management practices. Presently, the Department of Public Works does not have a written policy. Ms. Waygan reported that plates for designs of the roads have been completed and updates to the subdivision rules and regulations are in process. Ms. Waygan further stated that the subdivision rules and regulations may not be the place for best management practices for storm water. Selectman Cahalane will speak to the Board of Selectmen and Ms. Waygan will speak with the Planning Board regarding about the road specification document.
Santuit Pond-Discussed previously
Land Steward Program- Selectman Cahalane reported seeing improvements on conservation lands despite limited manpower in the Conservation Department.
Technology Applications-No action
Recycling-Commission members complimented Catherine Laurent for her work in introducing single stream recycling to Mashpee and expressed their hopefulness that the ease of use will encourage more people to recycle. Ms. Kane noted that she would like to see improved signage to educate customers about single stream recycling. It was also suggested that single stream recycling may result in an incentive to consider “pay-as-you-throw.” Mr. Baker suggested the Commission request the recycling percentage results after January 1.
Ashumet Pond Phosphorus-Ashumet Pond has been corrected. However, phosphorus remains in the plume from the old sewer beds on the base and is being treated with an iron filing fence. The pond will be monitored to confirm that the treatment continues.
Mashpee Ponds Water Quality-The report has been issued and is available on the Mashpee Environmental Coalition website. Six monitored areas show mesotropic range as expected, except for Santuit.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR DECEMBER 10, 2009
Mashpee Blue Book
Update from Beverly Kane & School Representatives
Storm Water
Santuit Pond Update
Action Items
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Friends of Santuit Pond gave tshirts to members of the Commission.
While discussing the addition of storm water to the agenda for the next meeting, Commission members entered into a discussion about storm water. Members compared the treatment of wastewater to the treatment of storm water, noting that the treatment of storm water could be started much sooner and plans could be initiated for when money becomes available. Commission members discussed the possibility of funding from 319 grants and stimulus money. Commission members also discussed the NPDES permit.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Motion made by Mr. Baker to approve the minutes of October 8, 2009. Motion seconded by Ms. Waygan. All voted unanimously.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Mr. Baker to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Motion seconded by Ms. Waygan. All voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer M. Clifford
Board Secretary
| 
