Mashpee Environmental Oversight Committee
Minutes of Meeting
February 11, 2010
Mashpee Town Hall, Meeting Room 3
Present: Selectman John Cahalane, Ed Baker, Mary Waygan, Rick York
Also Present: Beverly Kane
Absent: Ted Theis
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Selectman Cahalane at 7:04 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Mr. Baker made a motion to accept the minutes of January 14, 2010. Ms. Waygan seconded the motion. All voted unanimously.
MASHPEE BLUE BOOK
Ms. Kane reported that a pamphlet has been distributed describing the K-12 art contest. The first prize artwork, with a prize of $100, will be depicted on the cover of the Blue Book and a $50 second prize will be awarded and will appear on the back cover. Ten honorable mentions, with an award of $10 each, will appear throughout the book. The contest deadline will be March 31. Ms. Kane also spoke with Mike Bailey, a reporter with the Mashpee Enterprise. Mr. Bailey will place an article about the contest in the Friday issue of the Enterprise.
Ms. Kane broke down the $15,000 cost of outputting the Blue Book to include printing 10,000 books at $1.30 each with mailing costs of approximately .10 each, using the Town bulk mailing cost, for 6,265 households in Mashpee. Selectman Cahalane will inquire further whether or not the Committee will be able to utilize the bulk mailing rate. Remaining copies will be distributed to such locations as the Library and Town Hall.
Ms. Kane reminded the Committee that permission must be granted by the three original organizations that created the book before Mashpee’s version could be outputted. The original organizations have mandated that copies of the book may not be sold.
Selectman Cahalane reported that the costs for the book currently remain as a line item budget with the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Cahalane has been in contact with members of the Chamber of Commerce and has planned to meet with the President of the Chamber to discuss the naming of the book and their involvement. Ms. Waygan reported that she met with Phil Burt at the County Resource Office on January 26 to discuss the Committee’s plans regarding the Blue Book. Mr. Burt questioned whether or not a local non-profit organization would be available to apply for the grant. Ms. Waygan suggested that a non-profit applying for grants may have greater access to the funds than a municipality. Mr. Baker responded that the Mashpee Environmental Committee could not apply for grants in excess of
$5000 due to IRS rules. Selectman Cahalane questioned whether Save the Bay at Popponessett was still active. Mr. Baker questioned whether or not the Chamber of Commerce was non-profit. Selectman Cahalane will inquire with the Chamber. Mr. Burt also suggested that the Committee consider raising funds locally and include that effort in the application process. Selectman Cahalane will provide Ms. Waygan with a copy of the grant submitted for the Textron funds. It was also suggested that the Board of Selectmen be asked to vote on supporting the grant. Selectman Cahalane clarified that in order for the Board of Selectmen to vote on a grant, the terms of the grant must be communicated. Ms. Waygan will follow up with Mr. Burt to provide him with the Textron grant information and Mr. Burt will then provide a list of 5-8 funding organizations.
NEW BUSINESS
Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project (CCWRRP)
Mr. York announced that the federal grant through the NRCS (formerly the Soil Conservation Service of the FDA), drafted during the 1990s, has been recently funded. Barnstable County has been awarded $5 million from the American Recovery and Re-Investment Act and must involve 1) restoration of shellfish areas through stormwater remediation, 2) restoration of tidal restricted salt marshes, or 3) restoration of impaired fish runs. A list of projects must be submitted by March 1 and contracts signed by June 30. Projects must be completed by December 2011. Mr. York stated that there are a number of projects that qualify for the list, such as John’s Pond fish ladder (already on list), Red Brook Road runoff on the Mashpee/Falmouth line and Quinaquissett located at Shoestring Bay. Conservation
Agent Drew McManus and Mr. York are working together to draft the list. Mr. York will also be meeting with DPW Director Catherine Laurent to discuss the status of projects highlighted in Engineer Charles Rowley’s report.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Baker made a motion to add Santuit Pond Study to the agenda. Ms. Waygan seconded the motion. All voted unanimously.
Santuit Pond Study
Mr. York reported that samples have been taken from the Brackett cranberry bogs during the winter drain down. AECOM believed that the winter drain down may be a large portion of what is coming out of the bogs compared to the growing season. The samples are being processed. The draft report is expected at the end of the month, in time to be considered prior to the Committee’s next meeting. Selectman Cahalane added that the preliminary draft will include calculations from resident sampling, which was an issue discussed at the last meeting. Mr. York added that samples taken by residents could not be used directly in the final draft since DEP will not release the numbers when the exact protocol is not followed. The numbers can be used while working on the report but can not be
published in the report.
Mr. Baker reminded the Committee that previously requested resumes were still needed from two of the principal scientists, since the original resumes that were submitted were from ENSR. The documents should be kept on file to support the report. Mr. Baker added that the Quality Assurance Work Plan should also be received. Mr. York stated that the Quality Assurance Work Plan should be provided along with the report.
John Kabat questioned the availability of financing for any solutions that result from the report. Selectman Cahalane stated that the Committee needed to receive the report before discussing financing.
Committee members discussed a herring run that once existed at Lovell’s Pond. The ladder collapsed and was never repaired, blocking the stream and possibly limiting the flow from the pond to the bog. Committee members also discussed recent vandalism that occurred at pump houses at both Lovell’s Pond and Hostetter Bog.
Mashpee Commons Update
Ms. Waygan reported that plans have changed for the Mashpee Commons project but that new plans would be located on the Town’s website for review. Mashpee Commons has requested public comment on the conceptual plans. Doug Storrs, Vice President of Mashpee Commons LLC, has expressed interest in presenting the project to the Environmental Oversight Committee. Mr. Storrs will be meeting with various other Mashpee Boards and Committees prior to pursuing the formal development agreement process with the Cape Cod Commission. Ms. Waygan referenced the Cape Cod Regional Policy Plan which the Cape Cod Commission uses to assess development plans, noting that it addresses environmental issues.
A question was asked regarding the amount of impervious surface that will result with the new project. It was suggested that Mr. Storrs be asked that question and that the Committee draft a list of questions to provide to the Planning Board. Committee members discussed Mashpee Commons’ offer of land next to a church and suggested that Trout Pond be offered for mitigation. Mr. Storrs will be invited to the next meeting and members should come prepared with questions related to the environment.
Stormwater
Ms. Kane questioned use of the NPDES Permit document while the Planning Board reviews the Town’s Subdivision Regulations. Ms. Kane discussed the document with Ms. Waygan. Ms. Waygan will take another look at the document and contact Ms. Kane with any additional questions.
Action Items
Environmental Education-It was reported that the school system had saved a tremendous amount of money with energy monitoring and the addition of temperature controls. It was stated that the Commission continues to be in need of a school representative particularly since the schools have active environmental groups.
Combine Water-Sewer-The Town Meeting Article to increase the Sewer Commission to 5 Precinct members and 2 At-Large members has been approved by the Attorney General. It was advised that anyone interested in an appointment to the Commission should submit a letter of interest.
Grant Applications-Ms. Waygan and Mr. York are working on grants.
Santuit Pond Study-The draft report will be available at the next meeting. It was requested that the report be emailed to Committee members in advance of the meeting. Mr. York will request the document on disc.
Recycling-The 2009 recycling numbers and single stream results have not yet been made available. The Recycling Committee met today to further discuss the pay-as-you-throw option.
DISCUSSION
Mr. Baker questioned whether or not the Mills property purchase was included in the warrant as funding must be re-authorized this year and expressed concern that it was related to the water quality of the pond.
Mr. Baker has submitted a letter of resignation from the Environmental Oversight Committee. Mr. Baker plans to attend future meetings as a member of the public.
Selectman Cahalane announced that Chairman Myers continues to improve and may attend Environmental Oversight Committee meetings jointly with Selectman Cahalane.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Baker made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:14 p.m. Ms. Waygan seconded the motion. All approved unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer M. Clifford
Board Secretary
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