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Water Quality Review Committee
2198 Main Street
Brewster, Massachusetts 02631-1898
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Date Approved: 5/26/23
Vote: 6-0-0
TOWN OF BREWSTER
MINUTES of WATER QUALITY REVIEW COMMITTEE
Friday, February 24, 2023 at 9:00 AM
VIRTUAL MEETING
Attending Committee Members:
Vice Chair Amy von Hone convened the Water Quality Review Committee meeting at 9:OOAM with
members Kimberley Crocker Pearson, Chris Miller, Robert Michaels, and Davis Walters (9:05) and
deemed there to be a quorum.
Members Absent: Chair Cynthia Baran, Ned Chatelain
Guests: John Tadema-Wielandt, Natural Systems Utilities; Daniel Serber, NextGrid, Inc.
Item 1: Continued Discussion and Possible Vote on 989 Freemans Way — Solar Array and
Landfill Closure, John Tadema-Wielandt of Natural Systems Utilities
Amy said, in conversation with the Town Planner, for clarity moving forward this committee will
reference this property by the assessor's Map 119 and parcels 6 & 8, as 989 Freemans Way refers
to the Brewster VFW property. She then went on to give a brief summary of this Agenda Item: she
took part in a meeting on Feb 10th where we met with John and Dan from National Grid to discuss
the process of the landfill closure along with Jon Idman, Town Planner, and Dave Bennett. They
discussed where the landfill closure process was currently and how the site would be monitored
going forward.
John Tadema-Wielandt then addressed the committee and introduced his client, Dan Serber from
NextGrid. At our last meeting, we discussed the requirements for the sampling of the pit, as outlined
in the post closure use permit and that includes soil sampling for various analysis after the wood
waste material is removed. Groundwater is sampled on an annual basis on the four monitoring wells.
We have collected two soil samples and the results report everything as non -detect or below any
standards. Groundwater has also been sampled and those results report all concentrations as non -
detect or below any standards. Moving forward, NextGrid has agreed to continue groundwater
monitoring beyond the submittal of the post closure completion permit until that time where
jurisdiction transfers to the WQRC. Then the WQRC can make any changes they deem necessary to
the monitoring plan. The soil sampling will continue as per the permit and the removal of material is
scheduled to begin on Monday.
WQRC Meeting Minutes
2-24-2023
Amy said John had submitted an updated letter included in the packet explaining what he just
reviewed, and she included a sample of a deed recording of a property off Cape that went through a
landfill closure through DEP to give an idea of requirements. Amy then asked Davis to comment on
the modifications of what is going on at the site because of the additional fill that was found and is
being addressed. They didn't believe the changes would warrant a change in the Planning Board
decision. She wanted to give Davis an opportunity to weigh in on that as it is his final decision as
Zoning Officer.
Davis addressed the committee. He feels strongly that the project as proposed doesn't warrant any
changes to the Planning Board decision or related permits. The changes are not significant relative
to zoning matters. Rob asked what change of use might trigger a Planning Board re -visit. Amy said it
was more an issue of change in topography which would have tied in to any additional berming to be
done with excess material to stay on site. Davis agreed and said there is no change to the extent of
the impervious surface, he doesn't see the changes as significant. He doesn't anticipate any
changes in effect on the site. Chris said he doesn't think there are any significant changes. He likes
the fact that the organic portion of the material found is going to go into a berm and not be buried. He
likes the comments in the DEP letter where they are going to try to segregate out any of the waste
products like plastic and trash, and again, as he reiterates what he said last time that if anything like
telephone poles are found, that might have a chemical material on it, that you segregate it and get it
off site. That is just good practice as they do it anyway. He is satisfied. Davis agreed with that as
well. There is nothing else to consider. Amy said Jon Idman was hoping to be here, but at the
meeting a couple weeks ago, he recommended to the applicant that they try to maintain as much of
a tree buffer as possible with the plans proposed.
Kim asked if there would be additional soil sampling as the project goes forward. John T -W
answered, yes, as the material is removed, the natural material underneath will be collected and
sampled, screened for any organic vapors and then we will submit a discreet sample if we get a hit
on that; if everything is pretty consistent, we will composite the samples and submit that to the lab.
Kim said she has mixed feelings about composites, if you are trying to decide if this rises to a level of
contaminations of concern, she has questions. She wondered how they would decide which they
would do. John T -W said it is usually obvious as they go through it, and it will go to the lab
separately. Kim asked if someone with his experience would be onsite to interrogate further. John T-
W answered, yes. Amy said she wanted to emphasize the project is so much more environmentally
better than what has been going on for years at that site and would like to express her support for
what is going on now.
MOTION to support the revised letter that NSU has provided to us that has also been
submitted to DEP for their inclusion in the process of the landfill closure. And to support the
decision of the Building Commissioner that this does not need to be resubmitted back to
Planning Board for modification of their original decision and the WQRC anticipate our usual
review of Certificate Renewals at the time that this is ready to be done. Future monitoring will
be discussed and determined at WQRC certificate renewal.
MOVED by Chris Miller. Kim Pearson second.
Roll Call Vote: Kimberley Pearson — yes, Robert Michaels — yes, Chris Miller — yes, Davis
Walters — yes, Vice Chair von Hone — yes
VOTE: 5 -yes 0 -no
Chris said we talked about a Water Quality permit — he doesn't think we need a new permit until after
construction of the new facility. Amy agreed. She asked about the issuance of the original certificate
as it came from the Planning Board, but it hasn't been issued yet so the WQRC would not yet take
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2-24-2023
over review. Davis agreed. Everyone else was comfortable with that. Rob asked about the voluntary
continuance of the groundwater monitoring — do we want to quantify the time period? Amy said as
far as time frame, she believes once we take over review of the certificate renewal, we will be
making the determination prior to our WQRC renewal. Chris said he doesn't have the Planning
Board Certificate, but he doesn't think anything has changed. Amy said the applicant has
volunteered even though it isn't required by DEP.
Davis asked John if he was comfortable with the idea of looking at one more round of well sampling?
John T -W said he was comfortable with that if Dan was as well. He said we are expecting to move
quickly. He then said the DEP called him and said DEP wanted to make sure the Town was
comfortable with placing a deed note on the property for the material remaining on site. Chris said he
isn't sure how much concern we would have, it might be more that the Board of Health could review
it. Amy said that was fine, and she would consult with Jon Idman as a regulatory board to review it,
not WQRC. The committee agreed. Amy said she could discuss with John T -W about when they
would need something in writing. John T -W answered the project can process regardless but within
a few weeks would be good.
Item 2: Continued Discussion and Possible Vote on 3 Year Certificate Renewal for Dream Day
on Cape Cod
Amy said this came before us last month and there was a question about the fertilizer being used on
the property. She reached out to the facilities manager at the camp, and he confirmed the fertilizer
being used is for the ball field that they have and is the only green they have over there. Amy
included the email in the packet. They fertilize in the spring and then at the end of the season. Chris
said they indicated the fertilizer they are using, and it is phosphorus containing. Under State Law,
you must do soil testing before each application of fertilizer and can only go in if it is required by the
test. If they would change that fertilizer to a non -phosphorus containing type, he would be satisfied. It
has been outlawed to use except for starting a new lawn. This isn't new, they are just maintaining. It
has been quite a few years since the State has outlawed this type of fertilizer. Davis said we are
talking about such a small quantity; it may be old fertilizers. If there would be a requirement for
testing, perhaps the county extension could help with that. Chris said it is near Nickerson State Park
in a remote area near our wells. Amy said we need to keep this in perspective. Chris said our local
bylaw prohibits the application of fertilizer with phosphorus for this kind of property. A golf course has
different rules under the State than a recreational ball field. We should ask them to change the type
of fertilizer. Rob asked if we might ask if he has a 10 -year supply or if it is easy for him to purchase a
different type. Chris said we cannot allow him to use the last few bags because it is against State
and local bylaws. Kim said maybe he just needs to be made aware. Amy said she agreed with that
and said between Davis and Amy they would contact the applicant to clarify. Davis agreed.
MOTION to approve Dream Day on Cape Cod Certificate renewal.
MOVED by Kimberley Pearson. Rob Michaels second.
Roll Call Vote: Kimberley Pearson — yes, Robert Michaels — yes, Chris Miller — yes, Davis
Walters — yes, Vice Chair von Hone — yes
VOTE: 5 -yes 0 -no
Item 5: Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair - none
Next Meeting: March 24, 2023 9AM
WQRC Meeting Minutes
2-24-2023
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:39AM.
MOVED by Kim Pearson. Robert Michaels second.
Roll Call Vote: Kimberley Pearson — yes, Robert Michaels — yes, Chris Miller — yes, Davis
Walters — yes, Vice Chair von Hone — yes
VOTE: 5 -yes 0 -no
Respectfully Submitted by: Beth Devine
Action items:
Davis -
• keep the committee informed about CS&R and the high levels of manganese and their
continued groundwater monitoring (carry-over)
• keep committee updated re: boat storage violation and next steps (carry-over)
Amy -
• look into Grow Lab Certificate and next steps (carry-over)
• touch base with Dream Day regarding fertilizer use on property (Amy & Davis)
• work with Jon Idman and other staff to come up with a new procedure or recommendations for
certificate renewals to bring to the committee to consider at a future meeting (carry-over)
Beth -
• send email to approved certificate applicants
Packet of additional documents available on the website for public review
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2-24-2023