Wellfleet Board of Health / Comprehensive Wastewater Management Planning Committee
Minutes of Meeting of August 24, 2011
Senior Center, Conference Room, 7:00 p.m.
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Board of Health: Present:~ Richard Willecke, Alex Hay, Lezli Rowell, John O’Hara, Andrew Petty and Christine Bates Committee Secretary
Regrets: Ken Granlund
Comprehensive Wastewater Management Planning Committee Present: Alex Hay, Curt Felix, Lezli Rowell, Ned Hitchcock
Chair Willecke opened the meeting at 7:02 pm. ~
1. Title V Variances Requests
Variance Request:
Benevento, 124 Rte 6, Map 47, Parcel 24: Keith Fernandez represented the applicant and gave an overview of the project. He explained there are several renovations on the property. The current septic system was installed in 2005 and because of the renovations, there will be an encroachment of 3 feet to the cellar wall. The Board considered this a retro variance and the existing conditions would still apply. Lezli Rowell moved to approve the variance request with the prior conditions being maintained; seconded by Alex Hay; passed 4-0.
Joint Meeting with Comprehensive Wastewater Management Planning Committee:
There were five people were in the audience. Chair Alex Hay of the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Planning Committee, stated he would like to bring the Board of Health up to speed with the progress of the Committee.
Progress Report on CWMP:
Curt Felix referred to the best practices guide “Do you Know your Septic System” which are available to the public on maintenance of septic systems. Distribution channels are available at the DPW building, real estate offices, and people inquiring about their septic systems. A member of the audience recommended including a sheet of paper in the tax bills stating there is a guide available. Felix stated several people who rent property need the knowledge of how a private septic system works. Hay stated the reason we did the brochure was because of the charge to the committee by the Town. The brochure is one piece of the charge of protecting and managing the wastewater in Wellfleet. Lezli Rowell stated the committee is trying to be broad with their approach, including the
oyster propagation.
Data Collection
Chair Hay stated Environmental Partners Group is gathering information from the Board of Health files, identifying the nitrate levels and age of septic installation. Charts and graphs are being produced which will identify those properties which require an upgrade. Data collection will be completed by November 2011.
1) Baker’s Field/Mayo Beach /Marina System Alex Hay stated there is a need in the area for septic facilities for the Harbormaster building, beach sticker building, shellfish building, potential bath house and recreation department at Baker’s Field. There will be approximately six town buildings included in one system and numbers need to be finalized for the design flow numbers. There will be approximately 6 town buildings included in one system. This is the first step at this point and will require engineering plans, etc. Felix stated we have been waiting for the MA Estuary Project Report which
is the driver for the wastewater process. Our town would have to comply with the numbers provided by the State. The report was due a year ago and the town has not received it yet. The town is providing a population build out estimate for the future (2030). This forecast information will provide nitrogen estimates going into the estuaries. Lezli Rowell stated prior estimates were based on all buildable lots and property in the town.
2) Oyster Project Update
Chair Hay gave a brief description of the oyster propagation project. Curt Felix provided visuals of the oyster cultch in Duck Creek and Mayo Creek, identifying the monitoring well. He stated the natural uptake of nitrogen has been reduced over the past 100 years, due to the reduction in oyster populations. He explained the scientific process of releasing nitrogen gas in the water. The cultch area is approximately one acre which will be monitored from the well and cameras located at the Harbormaster Building. He stated there will be approximately 2 million oysters at this location. The shellfish constable can close the area for a 3 year period to allow the seeds to grow and reproduce. Curt stated this will be a natural aquaculture and will eventually provide an
echo system protecting other species. He stated potential harvesting could take place on the opposite side of the creek to the public. He briefly described the Mayo Creek Restoration project which will recreate a salt marsh area on the other side of Commercial Street. Felix gave an overview of the benefits of the project, stating that in the 8 to 12 weeks the cultch have been placed, there is an active increase in shellfish. He stated the Board of Selectmen, DPW, SPAT, Shellfish Constable, Harbormaster, Shellfish and Natural Resources Advisory Boards and MA Audubon have been supportive of the project. He provided a cost comparison of sewage systems versus the oyster project. Information on sewage systems was provided by the county. The oyster project will improve the eco system and add value in the commercial arena. Falmouth and Mashpee are experimenting with similar projects. Hay stated SPAT is going to start an
“Adopt an Oyster program” for financing. Hay stated Wellfleet is unique in the natural spawning that occurs versus other towns on the Cape. It is estimated 90 to 95% of the shell fishermen are behind the project because the project could ultimately help foster oysters that will be disease resistant..
3) Regional Talks – Eastham Update Ned Hitchcock has attended several meetings at other towns and at Eastham they were discussing a kettle pond remediation program. They have problems with phosphorus in the ponds which exceed state levels. He stated Eastham has a reminder program to property owners with letters being sent every 3 years for septic pumping. He stated the town of Eastham has several committees which provides educational material to the public as well as community planning materials. Wellfleet has no problems with any of the ponds regarding phosphorus.
4) Solicit comments on cesspool phase outs. A member of the audience stated she would like to see cesspools be eliminated on properties on the ponds. Rowell and Willecke stated the Board of Health wants to look at cesspools more globally, including all cesspools within the town and not just ponds. Rowell explained that the state has certain triggers that would force people to upgrade, which includes a change in ownership transfer, a building permit, and the parcel size. Board is limited to encourage people to upgrade voluntarily. The Board stated the ponds have good readings. Rowell stated the data
being gathered by Environmental Partners Group will help identify those properties that have cesspools.
5) Educational campaign for fertilizer: The Board of Health cannot dictate what fertilizers can be used, but educational information is important for the public. A study done determined the rain provided the majority of chemicals in the water and the aforementioned Septic Best Practices guide which is being distributed to the public, recommends organic lawn fertilizers and chemicals.
Board of Health cont’d
Meeting Minutes:
Alex Hay moved to approve the 07/13/2011 meeting minutes as amended; seconded by John O’Hara; 3-0-1.
Lezli Rowel moved to approve the 03/09/2011 meeting minutes as amended; seconded by John, O’Hara; passed 2-0-2.
Lezli Rowell moved to approve the 06/08/2011 meeting minutes as amended; seconded by Richard Willecke, passed 2-0-2
Alex Hay moved to adjourn at 8:35; seconded by John O’Hara; passed 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,~
Christine Bates, Committee Secretary
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