EASTHAM WRAB-WWMPC
MINUTES OF MEETING OF 10/10/06
Present were Chair Weiss, Co-chair Whitmore, members Sandler, Boelitz, Lightfoot, Nugent, and Bayne, Health Agent Crowley, Selectman McDonald, Americorp volunteer Amy Usowski and Cape Cod Times reporter Robin Lord.
The minutes of the meeting of 9/12/06 were approved as written.
Whitmore announced the 11/16 seminar on the Mass. Estuaries Project (MEP), which will serve to educate citizens regarding the total maximum daily load process. At the Harwich Community Center, 8:30-3:00.
Crowley introduced Usowski, who will spend one day per week in Eastham this year working on several projects, among them the Annual Water study, the 60 well study, above ground oil tank regulation compliance, and the performance of I/A septic systems.
Crowley distributed a county publication regarding the ability of on site septic systems to remove phosphorus.
Weiss distributed the Eastham zoning map so members could examine the location of the well protection zones G and H.
Jack Slavin of the Energy Committee (E.C.), accompanied by Committee members Joe Mistretta, Gwen Pelletier, George Kitz and John Sherff, reported that the Committee, charged by the BOS with the exploration of wind energy for the Town, is moving steadily toward the acquisition and siting of up to four turbines in District G. These can be sited in such a way as to cause no conflict with the well protection zones in that district. A feasibility study, done in 2003-04, found three sites with wind sufficiency, but since neither the Town Hall site nor the Natural Resources Department site could use all the power, the BOS directed the E.C. to focus on the District G location. Weiss, Chair of the MTC, explained that the MTC has a special program for community wind projects. This program provides technical advice and grants to
towns wishing to explore wind projects, Eastham being one of 30 such municipalities. Eastham’s role would be to sponsor the project by providing public land, and by supporting the permitting and approval process. Because a municipality cannot currently sell excess power to the electricity grid, the ownership and operation of such turbines would require a partnership with a private owner/operator. The appeal for private partners is the federal tax credit, which the Town cannot utilize.
The area proposed in District G is bounded roughly by Wellfleet to the North, power lines to the East, Nauset Rd. to the South, and the bike trail to the West, and abuts two parcels belonging to the Eastham Conservation Foundation.
The Energy committee is working with the Town’s water consultants, Environmental Partners, to assure the turbines are located outside any possible Zone I well protection area.
The Committee predicts the turbines will provide funds to cover the total cost of municipal power demand, which currently amounts to about $170,000 per year.
Some of the uncertainties are the possible shortage of turbines, the complications of a contract for purchase of power from the private owner, sufficiency of wind to entice a private owner, and permitting complications.
McDonald asked whether necessary oiling and maintenance of the turbines could endanger the well protection area; Slavin replied that there is no sure answer to that question yet, but there is an assumption that there is built in containment in the design.
In preparation for the 10/18 meeting with the BOS, the boards discussed the remaining questions regarding municipal water supply:
How will the costs be distributed to homeowners?
Will hook up be mandatory or voluntary?
Will the BOS support a limited system in the Moll’s Pond area, or a phased plan for the whole town?
What will the time-line be?
Reasons to support the phased plan for town wide water were listed:
Presence of VOC’s in the wells of some homeowners in the Moll’s Pond area;
Presence of iron bacteria in south Eastham;
Slowly increasing nitrogen in tested wells scattered throughout town;
Seasonal overloading in summer months throughout town;
Rigorous public control of water quality;
Availability of water during power outages;
Availability of fire hydrants for property protection, which will allow better insurance ratings;
Enhanced property values.
Boelitz felt the boards should not promote public water, but merely provide the facts as we see them. Negatives he sees are that the water may taste stale, and that the cost may be prohibitive.
Pelletier suggested public education regarding the areas in which the boards perceive water is needed, especially area 3, north Eastham.
The next meeting will be on Nov. 14 at 2 p.m, at the police station.
Submitted by Sandy Bayne, clerk
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