Mashpee Environmental Oversight Committee
Minutes of Meeting
January 12, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Mashpee Town Hall, Meeting Room 3
Present: Chairman John Cahalane, Rick York, Ted Theis, George Petersen, Peter White
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was opened by Chairman Cahalane at 7:05 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES November 10, 2011
Mr. York made a motion to accept the minutes from November 10th. Mr. Theis seconded the motion. All voted unanimously.
COMMUNICATIONS
Ed Baker Dedication
Chairman Cahalane read for the record a letter received regarding a dedication that has been scheduled for Mr. Baker. The Baker Family and the Mashpee Environmental Coalition have selected Saturday, June 9 as the date to dedicate the Mashpee Neck Road ramp for Mr. Baker. The stormwater project was expected to be completed by that date. A beautiful sign for the dedication has already been made. Mr. White added that a memorial boulder will also be dedicated in Mr. Baker’s name at the Mashpee Woodlands entrance.
Cape Cod Commission Planning and Regulatory Committee
The Chair announced that a meeting will take place on January 17th at 10 a.m. at the Cape Cod Commission to discuss proposed regional regulations on off-shore sand mining for beach nourishment purposes. Mr. York indicated that it offered a good option if it was needed. Mr. York stated that the Waterways Commission typically would be involved with this type of information and that they were in discussion with the State regarding dredging. Mr. York stated that the 1916 Channel dredging was placed on Popponesset Beach, maintaining the spit. The Chair inquired about South Cape, noting the expense of nourishing the beach. There was discussion about Oskar Klenert’s suggestion of a revetment to address the issues at South Cape Beach, technology which had been successful in New
Jersey. The DEP, however, did not approve the project. Mr. York cautioned that other parts of the coastline would have been impacted. Mr. York stated that the County dredge would charge $7 per cubic yard. Mashpee’s expense may have been approximately $30,000 per year.
NEW BUSINESS
OLD BUSINESS
ACTION ITEMS UPDATE
Zero Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer Bylaw Update
Mr. White reported that the topic was discussed at a recent MEC meeting, adding that Michael Talbott has expressed interest in working with the draft in order to create a more passable bylaw. Chairman Cahalane indicated that he would follow up with Mr. Talbott.
Combine Water-Sewer
Chairman Cahalane reported that a part time Sewer Administrator has been hired and has begun conversations with the Water District. The Administrator has identified cost effective improvements to the Breezy Acres/High School Sewerage agreement.
Town-Wide Stormwater Management Plan
Chairman Cahalane stated that the plan was under consideration by Catherine Laurent. The Chair summarized efforts to create a town-wide plan utilizing the Subdivision Regulations. Mr. Baker and other Committee members had been strongly in support of a Town-Wide Stormwater Management Plan. Due to the sizing of some existing roads, it was deemed not feasible to accept the Subdivision Regulations as a town-wide plan.
Santuit Pond and Santuit Pond Grant
The Chair stated that the first payment for the Solar Bee units had been made and that the units were expected to arrive early in the spring. A recent article appeared highlighting the number of fish thriving in Santuit Pond, but Mr. York explained that the increased nutrients grow increased algae which results in more fish. However, the fish would be unable to consume all of the algae and as the bloom size increases, oxygen is depleted from the water creating a possible fish kill. Mr. York indicated that the units should prevent a potential fish kill and toxic algae. Mr. York noted that AECOM had conservatively estimated that the Solar Bee units would cut the algae bloom in half. Mr. York added that monitoring was in place which would determine whether the bloom was being reduced.
Chairman Cahalane inquired about the status of the other ponds in Mashpee. Mr. York responded that the other ponds were in good shape, although Ashumet, which has been monitored by the Base, may receive another layer of alum due to an increase in algae. Mr. York noted that complaints had been received about John’s Pond but that it was not problematic. Mr. Theis, a resident at John’s Pond, stated that there was a good flush at the pond. The Chair inquired about the brackish ponds. Mr. York responded that ponds close to the coast were not being monitored. The Chair recommended that someone serve as a watchdog for the ponds in order to avoid a situation similar to Santuit Pond. Mr. York stated that PALS was looking at many ponds, adding that Mashpee could take a look at
additional small ponds during the summer.
Mr. Petersen inquired whether the Solar Bee units were leased to purchase. It was noted that Mashpee had acquired a buy back agreement so that, if the units were unsuccessful, the company would pay for the units. Mr. Petersen inquired about the standards by which the success of the units would be evaluated. Mr. York stated that the Board of Selectmen negotiated a very good contract. Chairman Cahalane indicated that the criteria for the success of the units was highlighted in the contract and was based on yearly improvements. Mr. York stated that data was available for Santuit Pond for the past three years.
Land Steward Program
Conservation Agent Andrew McManus attended the last meeting to discuss changes to the program. Chairman Cahalane stated that a worker from Americorps was assisting with the startup and maintenance of the Land Steward Program.
Water Quality Monitoring
Mr. York reported that the January sampling has shown the water temperature to be in the 40s and algae has been blooming in the Mashpee River, which was not typical for the winter.
Estuary Restoration/Shellfish Propagation
There was some discussion regarding Dick Cook’s recent request for a shellfish grant and Mr. York highlighted the importance of shellfish grants, which help with restoration and the removal of nitrogen. Mr. York stated that Americorps would be coming to Mashpee on January 23rd in order to work on the shellfishing gear. Mr. York noted that the Town shellfish permits fund most of the equipment and that the County funded 20%. Mr. York’s goal would be for the oyster to set on their own from spawn that the Town has been growing. Expansion of the Tribe’s grants would assist with achieving the goal. Mr. Cahalane inquired about the length of a grant and Mr. York responded that the initial grant was 10 years, with a renewal of 15 years. It was noted that the site
being considered by Mr. Cook was 2 acres in the deeper part of the sandbar.
CORRESPONDENCE
DISCUSSION
There was discussion about having Matt Patrick attend the next meeting and to invite the new Sewer Administrator to attend a meeting. Mr. White wished to also discuss a Petition Warrant Article about the Pilgrim Nuclear Plant at the next meeting.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Theis made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Petersen. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer M. Clifford
Board Secretary
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