Town of Mashpee, MA - EOC 11/8/2007

Environmental Oversight Committee

Present: Don Myers, Ed Baker, Beverly Kane, Ted Theis, Ralph Marcelli

Absent: Rick York, Lyle Hasley

Meeting Called to Order by Chairman Myers at 7:07 p.m.

Town Hall, Conference Room #1

It was agreed, the following would be amended from the above referenced minutes: Typo to read: Myers. Fourth paragraph; Delete wording: waiting to find out if his department will be awarded. Insert word: preparing. Delete word: grant. Insert word: proposal. Delete word: Bourne. Insert word: Barnstable. Second page; sixth paragraph; Delete word: committee. Insert word: Water Ways Commission. Delete wording: committee only meets quarterly and. Insert word: commissions. Delete wording: Town water bylaws. Insert word: biofilter. Delete name: Dave. Insert name: Drew. Eighth paragraph; Delete word from. Insert word: for.

Motion made by Mr. Baker to approve the minutes of September 20, 2007 as amended.

Motion seconded by Mr. Theis.

VOTE: Unanimous.

The above referenced minutes were not properly recorded. It was agreed the Chairman would transcribe the meeting from his notes. Agenda topic, next meeting.

Public Comment: None at this time.

Andrew McManus, Conservation Agent:

Andrew McManus, Conservation Agent was in attendance to discuss

several environmental issues with members of the Environmental Oversight Committee (EOC).

The EOC discussed the need to coordinate and organize volunteer groups and organizations to assist and maintain Town and conservation lands with Mr. McManus.

Of particular note was the draft Mashpee Land Steward Program proposed to monitor activity on such lands. A handbook of the proposed Land Steward Program was presented to the Conservation Agent for additional review. The intended group would support the Conservation Commission in developing protocol and volunteer support. Community organizations to assist in such an endeavor include the Boy Scouts of America, the VFW and the Mashpee Environmental Coalition. The program is intended to be developed to model the 300 Committee in the Town of Falmouth. It was noted there would not be any fee’s involved in the volunteer program. However, funding may be available to support the purchase of merit badges for the local Boy Scouts organizations that may participate in the program. Funding support would derive from the Mashpee Environmental Coalition.

It was agreed that it is important to support volunteer organizations. The Conservation Agent indicated that he is working on a land management plan that involves volunteer support to create a presence on conservation lands.

The Cape Cod Jeep Club is presently monitoring conservation lands. There has been an increased use of all terrain vehicles (ATV’s) which are causing a concern as trails lie close to sensitive areas. In addition, the Jeep Club has removed trash and debris from illegal dumping sites. It was noted that many of the items removed have been recycled. The Cape Cod Jeep Club is a responsible club with networking capabilities having the type of vehicles necessary to traverse the subject land areas.

Future endeavors of the Conservation Commission include additional trail networks and a possible kiosk at specific site locations. This type of work is of particular value to the Boy Scouts and to volunteers from the AmeriCorp assistance program.

With regards to the proposed Land Steward Program, the Conservation Agent indicated that he would work with the Town’s GIS coordinator Tom Mayo to create a more extensive and comprehensive map of all Town conservation areas and Town lands not under the domain of the Conservation Commission for the program booklet. In accord with the Municipal Association of Conservation Commissions, the Conservation Commission is responsible for natural resources within a community.

The use of a GIS system was considered to delineate specific boundaries. It was agreed the use of a GIS would be helpful for the volunteers to assist with their coordinates.

Mr. McManus indicated that he would disseminate the draft Mashpee Land Steward Program and information discussed at this meeting with the Conservation Commission at their next meeting. With the development of protocol for the program, it was agreed a public meeting would be held to solicit volunteer support. The Mashpee High School Environmental Club would also be notified of the future meeting.

Mr. McManus stated he would update the EOC in January with respect to this regard.

Discussion followed relative to Planning Board Consulting Engineer Charles Rowley’s report on Stormwater Runoff to the Mashpee and Santuit Rivers from Public Ways. The report completed in May 2006 identifies locations and corrective measures to reduce runoff contamination.

With regards to Mr. Rowley’s report, Mr. McManus indicated the Conservation Commission is seeking guidance with regards to their

respective role in this matter. Financial constraints of the Town were also considered. Given the limits of their budget, the Conservation Commission was noted to be fully supportive of the findings contained in Mr. Rowley’s report.

The run-off along Quinaquisset Avenue was discussed. It was noted the DPW is contracted to install bio-retention areas in three locations along Quinaquisset Avenue. The Conservation Commission has approved the “order of conditions” for this project in response to corrective measures to reduce runoff in the problematic areas.

However, Mr. McManus indicated that he is short-staffed in his office and presently lacks the ability to identify all of the areas defined in Mr. Rowley’s report. It was agreed the Conservation Agent would arrange to meet with Mr. Rowley to identify and prioritize the locations of run-off contamination.

Grant funding initiatives were considered as a potential funding source of assistance.

It was noted the DEP has developed new regulations to address storm water management. After further study, this may be incorporated into the Town of Mashpee’s regulations.

Discussion followed regarding runoff and treatment at the site of individual homes. In the future, the individual homeowner may become the responsible party for containment. A future possibility is the requirement of a landscape plan containing bio-retention systems or “rain gardens”. The concept of a Cape-wide friendly lawn program was also considered in this attempt to reduce nitrogen levels.

In other business, Mr. McManus made note of a feasibility study of mitigation options for the K6 bog berm failure on the Quashnet River and Quashnet bogs prepared by Haley & Aldrich.

Three options to address fishery habitat issues include the following;

Option 1: Maintain the current configuration

Option 2: Partial realignment to bypass the berm failure to improve overall trout habitat, and

Option 3: Complete realignment to move the Quashnet River channel. This option would also improve surface water flow velocity.

Information relative to the Haley & Aldrich assessment will be forwarded to the EOC for additional review.

The Board of Selectmen and Town Manager recommended the EOC consult Linsday Counsell of the Town of Barnstable to discuss the possibility of conducting a joint management study of the Santuit Pond to avoid duplication. It was noted that if an RFP moves forward, it would be subject to Town Meeting approval and the availability of funding.

The EOC is requesting funding from the Mashpee Cable Advisory and Technology Committee (MCAT) for monies to assist with the purchase of (2) automated and submersible water quality parameter measuring devices to provide specific data on fresh water conditions. Results of the Environmental Coalition Report of Santuit Pond will be reviewed at the next meeting.

A recent discussion with John Davis of the MMR Installation Restoration Program (IRP) has made note of the IRP’s ability to fund training and equipment to monitor the phosphorus. Representatives of the EOC are invited to attend an Ashumet Pond Advisory Group meeting on November 14^th at the Holiday Inn to review phosphorus issues in addition to plume containment matters. IRP funding could be coordinated with the Shellfish Department water quality program. If supported, the Town would have the ability to conduct water calibrations and other studies. Findings would be reported to the IRP program.

The independent initiative of Mashpee High School’s Environmental Club was fully supported by members of the EOC. The new club will appear before the School Committee at their next meeting.

With reference to the Mashpee High School wastewater treatment facility, there are issues pending relative to certification requirements pertaining to the discharge permit issued by DEP. The firm, Earth Tech has been employed to pursue revisions to the Zone II boundaries impacting the discharge facility. Treatment upgrades also need to be considered in the long term. Upon completion of the formal review, a report will be presented to the EOC.

Informational brochures and pamphlets from the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Service and Office of the Sheriff’s Department were distributed to the EOC and were also noted to be disseminated to the MHS Environmental Committee. The hand-outs contained information relative to recycling, composting, the neighborhood watch program and emergency preparedness. Also a File of Life prepared by the Cape Cod Hospital was provided to the EOC Committee. The informational brochures were considered to be distributed in the schools.

It was agreed that Ms. Laurent would be consulted regarding the possibility of printing a map to detail the recycling stations at the Transfer Station. In addition, a yearly informational card of accepted materials for recycling was discussed and noted as a present practice at the Town landfill.

Efforts are underway to develop a county-wide friendly lawn program this spring. William Clark of the Cape Cod Extension Service offered to discuss this initiative and matters pertaining to nitrogen levels, run-off and the mitigation of nitrogen with the proper operation of home septic systems at a future EOC meeting.

It was noted that an action plan relative to storm water run-off and treatment was disseminated to the Planning Board for discussion at their December meeting. The information will be distributed to the EOC Committee.

EOC Website Updates:

A list of potential web links was presented to the EOC. Additional links should be forwarded to the Chairman for posting on the Town’s website: www.ci.mashpee.ma.us. It was agreed that a disclaimer would be considered to convey that the links are not endorsed by the Town or EOC and are available for informational purposes only.

The type of information that is found on each link will be detailed briefly by EOC members and categorized into groups for ease of distinction.

Discussion followed regarding sources to research grant applications that may be applicable to the Town. The use of the seniors participating in the tax credit abatement program was considered in addition to asking members of the Water Ways Commission to research grant applications pertaining to water quality.

It was agreed that Town Departments would be consulted on the success of acquiring grants.

Agenda Items for December 6, 2007 Meeting:

David Delvecchio, IT Director will be invited to attend the next meeting to discuss possible innovations for environmental applications.

Results of Environmental Coalition Report on Santuit Pond.

Motion made by Mr. Baker to adjourn at 9:50 p.m.

Motion seconded by Mr. Marcelli.

VOTE: Unanimous.

Respectfully submitted,