Mashpee Environmental Oversight Committee
Minutes of Meeting
December 10, 2009
Mashpee Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Present: Selectman John Cahalane, Ed Baker, Mary Waygan,
Absent: Rick York, Ted Theis
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting commenced at 7:10 p.m. without a quorum.
COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Baker requested additional information from Ms. Waygan regarding nutrient ratio figures from Mashpee Commons for the proposal currently under consideration by the Planning Board.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
There was no approval of minutes since there was no quorum.
MASHPEE BLUE BOOK
Beverly Kane was unable to attend the meeting but Selectman Cahalane provided an update. Selectman Cahalane spoke with Mr. Theis regarding a teacher at the high school who expressed interest in serving as a school contact to the Environmental Oversight Committee. In an effort to move forward with the Blue Book project, Selectman Cahalane spoke directly with Superintendent Ann Bradshaw about the school system’s potential involvement with the project. The Superintendent is very excited about the project and Selectman Cahalane has put her in touch with Ms. Kane. Selectman Cahalane has been in receipt of a letter indicating that she would be happy to work with Ms. Kane. Selectman Cahalane will also discuss the possibility of a school contact with the Superintendent once he speaks again with
Mr. Theis.
Selectman Cahalane reported that the Blue Book has been included as a line item on the Selectmen’s budget. Ms. Waygan contacted the Barnstable County Resource Development Office regarding the possibility of acquiring a grant to fund the project. Ms. Waygan has forwarded information and the Orleans Blue Book link and discussed the projected $15,000 cost with Philip Burt, Outreach Resource Officer. Mr. Burt suggested that grant funds may be available from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust or the EPA, who offers groundwater protection funds. Mr. Burt is researching the funding cycle for the two organizations. Ms. Waygan stated that Mr. Burt assembles the grant package after first looking into the project to determine appropriate funding sources. Mr. Burt has already begun looking
into the project. Ms. Waygan asked that the Town Manager be updated about Mr. Burt’s efforts. Selectman Cahalane will talk to the Town Manager and also call to thank Mr. Burt for his work. Ms. Waygan noted that as a free service for Barnstable County, the Resource Development Office’s goal is to assist all towns on Cape Cod, so Mashpee’s needs may be positively received. Mr. Baker emphasized the importance of pursuing grant opportunities. Selectman Cahalane added that Town Planner Tom Fudala and Fire Chief George Baker have been proactive and successful with their efforts to acquire grants for the Town. In addition, the Tribe recently hired a grant writer who has been successful in pursuing grants. Discussion followed regarding the value of having a grant writer working for the Town.
Selectman Cahalane questioned the Commission’s willingness to pursue sponsors to assist with the costs of the Blue Book. Commission members felt that multiple sponsors may be needed. Members discussed the way in which sponsors would be honored, such as offering a full page ad, and noted the potential for advertising since a copy of the book would be planned for each home in town.
NEW BUSINESS
2010 Meeting Dates
Committee members agreed to the dates on the calendar. In an effort to avoid meetings conflicting with the fall holidays, September’s meeting will be on the 16th and November’s meeting will be on the 18th. Committee members expressed interest in continuing to have meetings televised. Meeting dates will be forwarded to the Town Clerk and Office of the Board of Selectmen.
Storm Water
Ms. Waygan distributed draft copies of the Rules and Regulations for the Subdivision plans. Red lines indicate changes suggested by the Planning Board engineer, Charlie Rowley. Ms. Waygan reported that Catherine Laurent has reviewed the plates and will be meeting with the Planning Board on Wednesday, December 16 at 6:30, which is the first step in the process. Ms. Waygan invited the Committee to attend the meeting. Secondly, the NPDES permit will be reviewed to consider Best Management Practices (BMPs) for storm water in order to be included in the Regulations. Finally, a document is expected to be developed for the Town, with the Department of Public Works, and possibly in conjunction with the Environmental Oversight Committee.
Mr. Baker expressed concern about the current systems used for storm water management and sited examples of systems not utilizing BMPs. Ms. Waygan recommended that Mr. Baker suggest good examples of storm water management in Mashpee that could be shared with the Planning Board. Mr. Baker noted that Town Planner Tom Fudala may be able to provide examples such as the system located near the industrial park and the Lowell Road development. Mr. Baker expressed his preference for storm water systems that include a vegetated area prior to the water entering a drainage system. Selectman Cahalane expressed concern about the need for system maintenance and enforcement to ensure that the systems are operational. Mr. Baker also referenced recent Sewer Commission discussions regarding the various
scenarios under consideration. Committee members discussed the Nitrex systems and the systems’ longevity. Committee members also discussed the costs that would be incurred by homeowners to fund the wastewater scenarios. Committee members discussed various forms of funding such projects.
OLD BUSINESS
Santuit Pond Update
Selectman Cahalane reported that AECOM was expected to deliver a preliminary update by the first of the year and a hearing would be expected soon after that update. Selectman Cahalane, after speaking with Town Manager Joyce Mason, confirmed that follow up hearings would be conducted through the Environmental Oversight Committee.
Mr. Baker reminded the Committee about the various tradeoffs offered by AECOM, such as use of Mr. York’s collected data, use of the state data and use of historical research in place of bog sampling. Mr. Baker noted that the goal was to acquire current existing samples rather than a study using reference materials. Ms. Waygan recommended that the Committee request a copy of the final RFP and the accepted proposal to verify the final terms of the study. Selectman Cahalane will request the documents.
Ms. Waygan noted that the NPDES permit, the Town’s discharge permit, indicates that Santuit Pond is listed as impaired water under Section 303D of the Clean Water Act. Selectman Cahalane added that the Town is also having trouble with the dam located in the area. Mr. Baker described the areas he has seen that appear to be problematic. Mr. Baker also discussed active bogs and their use of the pond water, and how it impacted Marine Fisheries’ efforts to protect the herring. There is no longer natural control of the water except for the dam since inlets to the bogs have been sealed.
Action Items
No change other than progress with the Blue Book and the Planning Board’s meeting with Ms. Laurent regarding the Subdivision Regulations.
Recycling-Ms. Waygan questioned the Board of Health’s proposal to make town-wide mandatory recycling. Selectman Cahalane responded that a Town Warrant Article is needed before recycling can be made mandatory. Committee members questioned who receives payment for single stream recycling and it was noted that the Town receives some payment but that the amount should increase as equipment is paid for. Mr. Baker questioned the benefit of shipping trash to the Base and then by train to SEMASS rather than trucking the trash to SEMASS. It was noted that SEMASS costs may increase and it was suggested that Mashpee might consider a discussion with Bourne.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR JANUARY 14, 2010
Mashpee Blue Book
Update from Beverly Kane
Mashpee Commons Update
Storm Water
Santuit Pond Update
Action Items
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
The meeting closed at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer M. Clifford
Board Secretary
| 
