MINUTES WRAB MEETING Dec. 6, 2004
Attending were Chair Weiss, members Nugent, Whitmore, Lightfoot, Boelitz and Bayne, and BOS liaison Whitlock.
The minutes of Nov. 1, 2004 were approved with two abstentions.
Updates on continuing discussions were as follows:
Roach property: At a BOS meeting, the BOH, the WRAB, the WWMPC, and the Critical Planning Committee expressed their strongly felt opinion that the Roach development should have a communal waste water system. The BOS felt the process is too far along to make that change. (See letter in file from Taylor, Chair WWMPC.)
The WWMPC is discussing a draft RFP which seeks assistance for water issues; the RFP was created by a subcommittee composed of Meint Olthof, Bruce Whitmore and Ron Peterson. Draft two (dated 11/19) was distributed; the final version will be discussed and voted at the Jan. 2005 meeting of the WWMPC. (Current draft in file.)
The proposal to merge the WWMPC and the WRAB because of their overlapping and inextricable interests was discussed. Weiss reported that he and WWMPC Chair Taylor have been discussing the idea. Whitlock described the current concept, which would merge the two appointed boards as they are now constituted, allowing attrition to decrease the membership to nine. Other than the converging interests of the two Boards, positive arguments include the economies in staff, BOS liaison, and volunteer time, and the possibility of improved communication. Tasks would be accomplished by the use of subcommittees. Town Planner Terry Whalen and Health Agent Jane Crowley, who often need to attend meetings of one or the other of the Boards, are strongly in favor. Weiss, Whitmore, Boelitz and Bayne spoke for the merging. Whitmore moved the
boards be merged; Boelitz seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Weiss distributed a copy of the article proposing funding to research a limited public water supply which will appear on the Special Town Meeting warrant set for Dec. 13. The article will be co-sponsored by the WRAB and the BOS. The WRAB, which had discussed the need for this public well in August, voted 6-0 to support the article. As Weiss will be away at that date, Whitmore will speak for the article.
Regarding funds for pond studies, Whitlock was asked if it is possible the BOS will vote to request that surplus county funds be returned to the Town, even though they have supported three water related ordinances for Eastham projects from that surplus. Whitlock stated it is very possible. Bayne will communicate with as many Selectmen as possible to try to convince them the odds of doing better financially by voting to leave the money for the County to distribute are highly in Eastham’s favor.
Bayne will do further research to see if the pond testing budget item to be submitted to BOH and NR can be reduced by eliminating testing parameters or by any other economy. Whitmore and Boelitz expressed strong support for continuation of the program. Bayne will bring several levels of budget requests to the next meeting.
The issue of imposing waste water treatment standards for areas of high nitrates was again discussed. Vanderhoef has suggested to Weiss and Taylor that the well testing data be used to establish which areas have consistently high nitrates, and then to recommend standards the BOH might use in those areas. The areas which seem to have met those criteria currently are Map Area 02, which includes the Roach property, and Map Area 08, which is west of Route 6, east of Herringbrook Rd., and centered on McKoy Rd. In order to reach such a determination, Boelitz wants to discuss the adequacy of the number of samples received at the end of this testing cycle (end of the 2005 fiscal year) If the number is not judged to be adequate, he would be in favor of mandatory testing. He also feels the depth of the wells, currently not entirely
known, is an important factor in trying to determine the source of the high nitrogen in certain areas. The Board will continue to discuss this issue. Whitmore noted that the annual water testing program has now provided at least 2000 data points for three years work; the Board expressed a desire to ask the Town to continue funding the cost of the testing.
Crowley has arranged for Mike Giggey of Wright-Pierce to make a presentation on waste water planning to the BOS on Jan. 3 at 7 pm. All boards are invited.
The Jan. meeting of the WRAB will occur on the 10th.
Submitted by Sandy Bayne, clerk
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