Mashpee Environmental Oversight Committee
Minutes of Meeting
July 14 at 7:00 p.m.
Mashpee Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Present: Chairman John Cahalane, Rick York, George Petersen, Ted Theis, Peter White
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Cahalane at 7:05 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES April 14, 2011
Mr. Theis made a motion to accept the minutes of April 14th. Mr. Petersen seconded the motion. There were 4 votes in favor and Mr. White abstained.
COMMUNICATIONS
There was no public comment.
NEW BUSINESS
Bioremediation, Ted Theis
Mr. Theis described bioremediation as bacterial assistance for sewer treatment, septic systems and ponds. Bioremediation works with activated sludge and sewer plants, septic systems and aeration/filtration attempts to create the best atmosphere possible to allow the natural bacteria to work. Systems fail because the cleaning products used by people kill off the natural bacteria in the systems. The addition of aggressive specialized bacteria consumes sulfates, phosphates, nitrates and other pollutants and assists the existing natural bacteria. Ponds and waterways use available bacteria to eliminate pollutants such as phosphates. When the natural microbes become overwhelmed, the excess nutrients cause eutrophication. Mr. Theis referenced an example at a chicken factory where
bioremediation was utilized and the surface was cleared in 8 ½ weeks. Mr. Theis also referenced a grease trap system that reduced grease by 85% after 60 days. All pollutants were significantly reduced in the leaching field after one year. The systems have been approved by DEP and the Water Resources Authority, and have been used in 17 states and 7 foreign countries. Mr. Theis noted that there were 1,500 companies in the business and that an RFP could be written specifically to address what was expected to be accomplished.
The Chair inquired about bacteria that would consume phosphorus and Mr. Theis confirmed that there was a bacteria and that it would not impact anything else. Mr. Theis’ company uses only natural bacteria. Mr. Theis referenced a project that reduced phosphates by 41% in under 1 year. Chairman Cahalane inquired why bioremediation was not pursued in the AECOM study and Mr. York stated that it was listed and the option dismissed, and Mr. Petersen added that it was dismissed with no justification. Mr. Petersen continued noting that data processes were not specified or consistent and that old data was utilized. Mr. Petersen stated that alternatives were eliminated and reduced to dredging, alum treatment and circulation and suggested that the study may have missed its mark. Mr. York
agreed that there were some problems with the initial design, even from the three proposals, but that it was fairly comprehensive. Mr. York continued that the Committee analyzed the alternatives and asked for AECOM’s recommendation.
Mr. Petersen stated that some parts of the pond have artificial levels due to dams and Mr. York confirmed that the pond was artificially expanded and that the old data included observations from residents with information about the past. Mr. Petersen stated that the report did not include mapping about the pond and that the report did not provide enough information to identify the proposed solution to use the circulators. Mr. York stated that the bottom contours of the pond were documented in the Cape Cod Ponds Atlas and should have been included with the report. Mr. York added that AECOM recommended alternatives, including the circulators, and that the manufacturer and Friends of Santuit Pond recommended the use of 6 circulators. The Chair referenced the proposal from the Friends of Santuit Pond
and references to test runs. Chairman Cahalane also recalled information noting that the technology did not work because the pond was too shallow, similar to Santuit Pond. Mr. Petersen suggested that the recommended use of 6 circulators could be changed by the manufacturer and that they would not stand by their units unless Mashpee utilizes the number recommended by the manufacturer. Mr. Theis noted that the natural bacteria had been overwhelmed and that aeration from the circulators would provide oxygen to the bacteria.
Mr. York referenced the Fall Town Meeting and the Committee’s previous recommendation to consider the solar circulators while seeking alternative options to address the issue in Santuit Pond. The Chair stated that a final recommendation was needed from the EOC. Mr. Theis noted that the circulators would help the process. There was also discussion about the cost of dredging.
Mr. York reported that he had sampled the pond since 2008 and that there was a continuous blue-green algae bloom during the summer. Mr. York reported that the bloom had recently crashed and that the pond was clear 6 feet down. Mr. York was unsure of the reason why the bloom crashed and will be researching it further to determine whether it had settled, had been grazed, eaten by zooplankton or whether there were nutrient limitations. Mr. York noted that microcystis was still present. Mr. York will conduct further testing.
Mr. Petersen referenced the October meeting and questioned whether bio-remediation might be a viable solution and how that would be impacted by the support from the Friends of Santuit Pond for the circulators. Mr. York recommended that other options to address the issues in the pond be discussed with the Friends of Santuit Pond prior to the October meeting. Chairman Cahalane noted that he had not yet heard of another viable solution right now, but stated that there could be another solution in the future. Mr. York agreed that the circulators offered a good alternative for now to address the toxic bloom until a better alternative becomes available. Mr. Theis noted that the bloom could be treated or the pond could be cleaned, depending upon the budget available. Chairman Cahalane recommended
that Santuit Pond Solutions be added to next month’s agenda so that all members could share additional information.
Committee Priorities
Chairman Cahalane announced that two new members were needed for the Committee. The Chair also inquired about the priorities the Committee wished to pursue for the remainder of the year. Chairman Cahalane recommended that all environmental issues arising in Mashpee be supported by the Environmental Oversight Committee. The Chair referenced Mr. York’s request for funds to support the shellfish propagation project, recommending that the EOC offer a recommendation to the Town supporting the project. Mr. Theis referenced wind and solar projects, noting that solar was expected to be the more successful technology. Chairman Cahalane concurred that Mashpee was pursuing solar projects. Mr. White stated that wind was a good investment but that issues would need to be settled Cape wide.
Chairman Cahalane referenced the solar project proposed for the landfill, noting that the EOC should have been involved in the planning process. Mr. York noted that there were funds available to expand the project. The Chair stated his intent to invite Tom Mayo to address the Committee about the project. Mr. York noted that wind projects were not the place to spend funds since there had been limited changes to the technology whereas solar has seen dramatically improved technology.
Pickerel Cove Recreation Area
Chairman Cahalane referenced the request sponsored by the Conservation Department. The Chair referenced the comments by an abutter at Town Meeting, noting that Conservation Agent Drew McManus had been in contact with the abutter. The application has been re-submitted with funds requested in the amount of $64,160. Mr. York stated his support of the application. There was discussion about the plan with the intent to clear the existing field and provide parking to walk canoes to the water. Mr. York noted that it would be a great recreational facility.
Mr. Petersen made a motion to endorse the application. Mr. Theis seconded the motion. All voted unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Action Items
Zero Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer Bylaw Update
Chairman Cahalane stated that the bylaw would not be ready for the October Town Meeting, suggesting that the current bylaw may be too restrictive. The Chair suggested that the focus be on educating residents. Mr. York agreed, adding that residents test their lawns to identify the amount of phosphorus needed. Mr. York also referenced the Blue Book and recommended using the Enterprise to inform residents, using monitoring statistics and encouraging residents to work toward improving the statistics. The Chair stated that 80% of survey respondents supported a potential bylaw restricting phosphorus. Mr. Petersen noted that survey respondents were not representative of the resident population due to limited participation. Mr. White inquired about the Town’s lawn practices and Mr. Theis
responded that slow release fertilizer and reduced application were being utilized. Mr. Petersen recommended approaching landscapers for their support to help promote the bylaw. Mr. Petersen noted that storeowners would want to have a phase in so as not to be stuck with product and recommended the benefits of identifying a product that could be as effective as phosphorus containing fertilizer.
Combine Water-Sewer
Chairman Cahalane reported that the attorneys were working out a solution to agree to work together.
Town-Wide Stormwater Management Plan
DPW Director Catherine Laurent has had a busy schedule. Mr. York reported that Ms. Laurent recently reported to the Conservation Commission about the federally funded Mashpee Neck Landing plans.
Santuit Pond and Santuit Pond Grant
Discussed previously
Land Steward Program
The Chair suggested that the program may have fallen by the wayside.
Water Quality Monitoring
Mr. York reported that Brian Howes recently provided a multi-year water quality monitoring report regarding nitrogen loading. The monitoring was completed in conjunction with the Tribe and SMaST. Mr. York reported that nitrogen was increasing, with a significant increase in Little River, Great River, Hamblin Pond and Jehu Pond, where Mr. York is attempting to grow more quahogs. Mr. Howes noted that the oyster project was holding the line in the Mashpee River. Mr. York reported that most of the eel grass was lost and that there would be a potential for fish kills with increased nitrogen. Mr. York noted that there had been no fish kills since 2005 when the oyster project began. Mr. Petersen inquired about the nitrogen increases despite limited growth in the area and Mr. York responded
that the entire watershed provided the sources of nitrogen. Chairman Cahalane added that many homes in Mashpee had been secondary homes and have since become primary residences. Mr. York discussed the ground water travel time. Regarding Ed Baker’s sampling and PALS Program, Mr. York reported that SMaST was continuing the sampling. Mr. York will provide MEC with the contact information.
Estuary Restoration/Shellfish Propagation
Mr. York reported that 1,000 oyster spat bags had been placed in the Mashpee River. Mr. York’s new project increases quahog seeding by 2 million, for a total of 3 million, which was accomplished with shellfish propagation funds. The quahog seeding will be targeted for Little River, Great River, Hamblin Pond and Jehu Pond. Chairman Cahalane inquired about the quahog relay. Mr. York responded that a Commission within the Tribe expressed interest in increasing the shellfish population by using contaminated quahogs from other communities. The contaminated quahogs purge the contamination in clean waters. Mr. York does not support the management strategy. The beds for the contaminated shellfish would be closed for 3 months to 1 year and could present a health problem should anyone
illegally collect the shellfish while the beds are closed. Additionally, Mr. York stated that the contaminated shellfish would remove less nitrogen from the water. Mr. York stated that Mashpee’s strategy to seed areas and keep the areas open has been productive and successful. Chairman Cahalane recommended that the EOC weigh in on the environmental issues of the proposal. Mr. York will provide additional details.
CORRESPONDENCE
-Note supporting the Blue Book from Suzanne Nash
DISCUSSION
No additional discussion at this time
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Petersen made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Theis. The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer M. Clifford
Board Secretary
LIST OF DOCUMENTS
-EnviroScience Technologies, Specific Enzyme Bacteria System
-EnviroScience Technology, “Because we all live down stream . . .”
-Community Preservation Act Funding Application, Pickerel Cove Recreation Area
- Suzanne Nash Note Supporting the Blue Book
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