MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
WORK SESSION
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Present: Linda S. Burt, Chair; Kenelm N. Collins, Vice Chair;
Russell H. Sandblom, Clerk; Martin F. McDonald and
David H. Schropfer
Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator
Jane Crowley, Health Agent
Karl Weiss, Chair, Eastham Water Resources Advisory Board
Mark White, Principal, Environmental Partners
Selectman Schropfer made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session held here today
at 2:50 p.m. and to go into regular Public Session. Selectman Schropfer, yes; Selectman Burt, yes; Selectman Collins, yes; Selectman Sandblom, yes and Selectman McDonald, yes.
Selectman Burt now called the Public Session to order at 2:51 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Action/Discussion - Municipal Water Supply
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that Environmental Partners was first hired by the Town to “provide
engineering services related to development of a limited municipal water system near the
Town’s capped landfill.” Municipal water needs of the residential and commercial community need to be addressed as well as waste water disposal options. These initiatives will preferably include a broader perspective and simultaneous investigation of regional efforts. Ms. Vanderhoef would like the Board of Selectmen’s recommendations on how to proceed.
Discussion included necessity to pinpoint the exact cost to taxpayers per household; long range planning and notification to taxpayers as to what this would mean to them both short and long term; clearly delineated breakdown of areas and scheduling; potential water supply sources; consideration given to connection with the Town of Orleans’ water system; questions related to how long each identified section would take to complete (i.e., as per Mr. White - approximately two years per section); raising awareness that it might take ten years to complete the entire project; town vs. sewer district; advisability of looking at regional efforts; forward thinking - potential granting and pursuit of funding; resulting increase in property values, etc.
Dr. Karl Weiss recommended looking at the big picture, the future. Dr. Weiss said that
Eastham is going to need a public water system for the whole town. Nitrate study results
point in the same direction and rather than “if” it is just a question of “when.” Dr. Weiss
noted that there are many ways of breaking this up over time, with a variety of ways of
approaching funding. Dr. Weiss recommended dealing with this now, rather than shoveling
these decisions into future generations.
The sections as numbered on the map provided by Environmental Partners (attached) are not in priority number order. Rather, it identifies sections, thereby breaking the project down into digestible pieces. However, the area identified as Section 5, closest to Orleans, would be
first.
Ms. Crowley noted Eastham is the only town on the Cape without any municipal water
supply system. It would be optimal to integrate wastewater disposal options with municipal water by moving forward at the same time.
Selectman Burt asked if the approximate estimates offered by Environmental Partners
(i.e., Limited System $4.8 million and Town Wide System $73.4 million) would include
hydrants). The response was that it would. Selectman Schropfer noted that the estimate
as presented would only increase if this were implemented in, for example, the year 2010.
Selectman Collins noted there was an expectation that the well at the Nauset Regional High School would be one of the identified “high yielding” sites used in the development of municipal water. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that permission had been gained from them to do so. It was also noted that Orleans does not tap into that supply because of less than optimal proximity to the site.
Discussion of the following questions followed:
1. Limited System vs. Town Wide System
The goal would be to go town-wide. Decisions related to the phasing of such a project
would necessitate detailed consideration.
More detail will be forthcoming after further review.
2. “Separate District” vs. “Town Department” as overseeing authority.
Discussion followed related to financing issues, what would work better for the town,
possibility of crossing municipal town lines, operating costs, etc.
The Board of Selectmen wish to keep this decision open. However, in terms of the direction
for detailed research, Ms. Vanderhoef asked each Selectmen to state their preference:
District: Selectman Sandblom; Selectman Schropfer; Selectman Burt
Town: Selectman Collins; Selectman McDonald
The Board of Selectmen all agreed that they need more information on which to base a firm
decision on this matter. Ms. Vanderhoef thanked the Board of Selectmen for their input, and noted that she now had a good sense of how to proceed on this question.
3. Mandatory Hook Up vs. Hook Up Optional
Discussion revealed that home owners with wells would be able to have both, and this should
not be a problem. This has been done in other towns.
The Board of Selectmen indicated that the option of a “mandatory hook up” would make sense.
Ms. Vanderhoef will focus on this option.
4. Funding - Debt Exclusion USDA/SRF Loans
Options related to funding will be looked at on both the state and federal levels. As many funding sources of possible will be looked into (i.e., study grants, water protection grants, etc.).
5. Annual Fee Metered Use Fee
Ms. Vanderhoef will focus on both options.
6. System including hydrants (property insurance benefit)
vs.
No water hydrants (less expensive).
The Board of Selectmen were strongly in favor of hydrants noting the negligible cost to the
system and the major benefits to the homeowner.
7. What is the implementation date? Phase over # years? (Consider 15-20 years).
Target would be to have full service in ten years. Each sectional phasing shown on the
attached map (i.e., five sections) would take approximately two (2) years, thus totaling
ten years for completion.
The Board of Selectmen, Ms. Vanderhoef, and Environmental Partners discussed the following
points:
Return to the Board of Selectmen in a month or so with more information/
detail on options;
Be ready for Town Meeting in May;
Water Resources and Health Agent to attend various meetings
to build support and hear questions;
Need for holding many public hearings on these matters;
Talking to the business community and obtaining feedback from them;
Partnering with the National Seashore - discussing issues, concerns;
Approximating cost to individual home owners, etc.
All matters having been discussed, Selectman Collins made a motion to adjourn the Public Session at 4:05 p.m. The motion was seconded by Selectman Sandblom. Approved 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorraine Speros
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