EASTHAM WATER RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes 9/13/04
Present were Chair Weiss, members Boelitz, Nugent, Whitmore and Bayne, and Health Agent Crowley.
Minutes of 8/2 were accepted as written.
Updates included:
Windmill Weekend report: Over 100 people visited the WRAB table; those who discussed nitrogen in wells seemed to be in favor of correcting the problem.
Public Education program: In absence of Lightfoot and Holt, this report was tabled.
Presentation to Selectmen: Weiss, Crowley, and Taylor, chair WWMC, made presentations to the Selectmen on August 18. They addressed several water related issues; among them were well testing results, pond studies, estuary studies, and waste water management planning needs. Specifically, all made the point that nitrogen levels are creeping up steadily and that the town needs to initiate serious planning efforts to address wastewater issues.
The Selectmen agreed:
1. To send a letter to CCC Water Resources Program Manager Tom Cambareri requesting a study by the USGS of the hydrological impact of transferring water from lens to lens, specifically, the Orleans to Nauset lens. That letter has been sent.
2. To send a letter to Margo Fenn, Director CCC, asking that Ed Eichner of her staff be assigned to interpret Eastham pond study data to determine the severity of, possible sources of, and possible remediation for the poor water quality in at least two of our ponds.
3. To send a letter to the CCC supporting the request for WIC funding of Outer Cape waste water management and water management studies.
Mary Lou Petitt, Eastham’s Assembly of Delegates representative has indicated her support of the latter two requests; this is helpful as county funds are required for these WIC budget expenditures.
Housing developments are being proposed for two parcels in town.
The Roach property developers made a presentation on 8/25 to the Selectmen which Weiss, Lightfoot and Nugent attended. The company, New Boston Ventures, appears to have an excellent reputation for quality and integrity. WRAB and WWMC attendees urged New Boston to compare the capital cost of a communal wastewater facility that includes nitrogen abatement, to the cost of 18 individual Title V systems with and without secondary treatment.
A preliminary 40-B development plan has been proposed for the Weiner parcel, a large piece, zoned for commercial use that is situated immediately north of Brackett Rd. between the bank and the bike trail. A Critical Planning sub-committee has been meeting with business operators and residents in that area regarding interest in a village center-type development. The planning for the Weiner parcel could be done in conjunction with the town-owned Purcell land, across Brackett behind the Village Green shops. WRAB will monitor the planning process with water related concerns in mind.
Crowley and Weiss will meet September 15 with USGS and CCC representatives regarding the role the groundwater modeling program can play in Eastham’s ongoing water studies. Board members agreed to ask for: (1) A study of the impacts of lens-to-lens water transfer; and (2) A study of the zones of contribution to our ponds.
The two WIC fund grant proposals have been submitted; Crowley distributed their final version.
Regarding the exploration of a public water supply, Town Administrator Vanderhoef made available to Weiss a copy of a 1996 study done for Eastham by ATP called “Limited Water Supply Feasibility Report”. The study considered the possibility of a public water supply for abutters to the landfill whose wells had been contaminated. The study indicated that the Roach property and Water District G could serve as water supply sources. This conclusion disagrees with the modeling done by the USGS, which predicts impairment of the flow in Hatches Creek at the pumping levels considered.
Bayne reported that a plant survey will be done for Eastham ponds by a New England Wild Flower Society student as her independent project. The work will be done next year and will contribute a valuable data set to our pond knowledge.
The next meetings of the WRAB will be:
Oct. 4
Nov. 1
Dec. 6
Sandy Bayne, clerk
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