Mashpee Environmental Oversight Committee
Minutes of Meeting
November 18, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.
Mashpee Town Hall, Waquoit Meeting Room
Present: Chairman George Petersen, Rick York, Mike Talbot, Selectman John Cahalane
Absent: Drew McManus, Ted Theis
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was opened by Chairman Petersen at 6:30 p.m. with a quorum.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES October 21, 2014
Mr. York recommended that the final sentence of “Discussion” regarding a harbor management plan be struck. Mr. Talbot requested that “landscape professionals” replace golf superintendents in the second paragraph of “Nutrient Management & Fertilizer Regulations.”
Mr. Talbot made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. York seconded the motion. 3 yes, 1 abstain
NEW BUSINESS
No new business
COMMUNICATIONS
The Town Clerk has requested more of an explanation for the agenda. The Chair requested that any members with recommendations forward their suggestions. Selectman Cahalane will follow up with Town Clerk regarding specific details. The Committee felt that the agenda was already specific but recommended that “update” be added.
ACTION ITEMS UPDATE
Estuary Restoration/Shellfish Propagation
Mr. York reported that the draft Comprehensive Watershed Nitrogen Management Plan was under review by the State and additional information had been requested. Mr. York emphasized that conditions had been good for the shellfish and indicated that the oysters were larger than last year. With the help of AmeriCorps, quahog seed had been planted earlier in the day. Selectman Cahalane inquired about self-spawning and Mr. York indicated that 2011 saw significant oyster re-seeding. Mr. York noted that oysters tended to set in the Waquoit area, possibly due to a newly managed farm growing oysters in the area. Mr. York discussed the increased food that may be resulting in increased oyster growth. There was discussion regarding possible funding to build a large oyster reef. There was also
discussion regarding the positive impact of using CPC funds to expand oyster growth, as well as quahogs. Mr. York discussed the benefits of AmeriCorps’ work with Mashpee, including the planting of shellfish seed and building of trays. There was discussion regarding mitigation funds available through the Cape Cod Commission. Mr. York noted that once the draft Comprehensive Watershed Nitrogen Management Plan was finalized and approved by the State, the Town may then wish to expand the shellfish program to full restoration. There was some discussion regarding the resolution of the lawsuit and the means by which wastewater would be addressed on the Cape with the EPA. There was discussion regarding how towns would be meeting their obligations. There was agreement that Mashpee was working toward addressing wastewater issues, through the shellfish program and sewering, and that a state-of-the art monitoring program was already in place. Mr. York
shared Falmouth’s successes with their shellfish program, noting that the EPA was seeking alternative solutions that would be both cost effective and environmentally effective.
Pond & Estuary Water Quality
Mr. York indicated that he had not seen much difference and Mr. Talbot noted that he would follow up with George Reichenbacher.
Nutrient Management & Fertilizer Regulations for Fresh Water Ponds & Estuaries
The Chair reported that the Planning Board submitted a letter of support to the Cape Cod Commission regarding the bylaw. Mr. Talbot reported that Assistant Town Manager Tom Mayo compiled information for the meeting, and Mr. Talbot submitted documentation. Ernie Virgillio was very supportive of the bylaw. Mr. Talbot indicated that Jonathan Idman of the Cape Cod Commission had supported the bylaw as meeting the guidelines in the ordinance for the Cape wide fertilizer DCPC. Although there was significant opposition for the bylaw, all 14 commissioners voted in favor of the bylaw. Mr. Talbot noted that Bill Clark, Director of the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, would be responsible for developing a certification process for landscapers and had expressed great frustration about the bylaw at the
Cape Cod Landscape Association meeting. The bylaw has been sent to the Attorney General for approval and word was not expected until January. There was discussion regarding contacting representatives to ensure support of the bylaw to the Attorney General. The Chair recommended drafting a letter to representatives, copying the Attorney General. There was discussion noting the fact that the Town had already supported the bylaw in a Town Meeting vote.
There was discussion regarding the development of an education program in Mashpee, as well as to communicate with landscape professionals. Committee members discussed collaborating with Falmouth since the towns shared a similar bylaw. Mr. Talbot discussed developing an advisory committee, with possible involvement from the EOC, to provide advice on timing, education and public notifications. It was suggested that an EOC meeting be identified to discuss the bylaw for the public, possibly in April. Mr. Talbot recommended creating a brochure. Mr. York recommended utilizing the Town’s website or newspaper to distribute information. It was felt that not all parties would review the website and that other sources would be needed. There was question regarding enforcement of the bylaw. Selectman Cahalane recommended discussing the bylaw with the Board of Health and Conservation Commission and the Chair recommended the January meeting. Mr. Talbot indicated that Selectman Gottlieb
planned to draft a letter with bullet points to address the concerns of the opposition. Selectman Cahalane recommended developing an agenda for the joint January meeting with Board of Health and ConsCom.
OLD BUSINESS
Combine Water-Sewer
No update
Town-Wide Stormwater Management Plan
Mr. Talbot will speak with Mike Richardson.
Land Steward Program
No updates
Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant
The ballot question regarding the Cape evacuation passed overwhelmingly.
FEMA Flood Map
No updates
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Talbot will draft a letter to be sent to representatives regarding the nitrogen bylaw.
DISCUSSION
It was determined that meetings would be scheduled for 2015 for the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting will be Tuesday, December 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Mr. York made a motion to adjourn. Selectman Cahalane seconded the motion. All voted unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer M. Clifford
Board Secretary
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