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HomeMy Public PortalAboutGolf Commission Packet- 03.26.24Golf Commission Andrea Johnson Chair John Kissida Vice Chair Rob David Jim Juras Anne O'Connell Jay Paggi David Valcourt Town Employees Jay Packett Director of Operations Colin Walsh Course Superintendent TOWN OF BREWSTER GOLF COMMISSION 1000 Freemans Way (508) 896-1716 golfcommission@brewster-ma. g ov www.CaptainsGolfCourse.com GOLF COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA 2198 Main Street March 26, 2024 at 4:00 PM This meeting will be conducted in person at the time and location identified above. This means that at least a quorum of the members of the public body will attend the meeting in person and members of the public are welcome to attend in person as well. As a courtesy only, access to the meeting is also being provided via remote means in accordance with applicable law. Please note that while an option for remote attendance and/or participation is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting/hea ring will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast or affect remote attendance or participation, unless otherwise required by law. Members of the public with particular interest in any specific item on this agenda, which includes an applicant and its representatives, should make plans for in -person vs. virtual attendance accordingly. Members of the public who wish to access the meeting may do so in the following manner: Phone: Ca11 (305) 224-1968 US or (309) 205-3325 US. Webinar ID:881 4407 8985 Passcode: 049087 To request to speak: Press *9 and wait to be recognized. ZoomWebinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/i/88144078985?nwd=M05KQnNsRIRQT2FzZEpkSFZDWUVOZZ09 Passcode: 490087 To request to speak: Tap Zoom "Raise Hand", then wait to be recognized. When required by law or allowed by the Chair, persons wishing to provide public comment or otherwise participate in the meeting, may do so by accessing the meeting remotely, as noted above. Additionally, the meeting will be broadcast live, in real time, via Live broadcast (Brewster Government TV Channel 18), Livestream (livestream.brewster-ma.r2ov), or Video recording (tv.brewster-ma.govi. Please note that for any item listed in this section the Select Board may take officials action including votes. 1. Call to Order 2. Declaration of a Quorum 3. Meeting Participation Statement 4. Recording Statement: As required by the Open Meeting Law, we are informing you that the Town will be video and audio taping as well as broadcasting this public meeting. In addition, if anyone else intends to either video or audio tape this meeting they are required to inform the Chair. 5. Public Comment 6. Possible Home Rule Petition - Pesticides - Colin Walsh & Jay Packett 7. Handbook - Anne O'Connell 8. Discuss need for immediate communication with AFP's regarding fee hikes and spring course conditions - Dave Valcourt 9. Update on Water Source RFP - Jay Paggi 10. Questions and Comments from Associations and Liaisons 11. Review and Approve Minutes: 3/12/24 12. Future Agenda Items and Meetings (4/9 & 4/23) 13. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair 14. Adjournment Date Posted: Date Revised: Received by Town Clerk: 1000 Freeman Way Brewster, MA 02631 March 22, 2024 Mr. Ned Chatelain Chair, Brewster Select Board 2189 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631 Dear Mr. Chatelain, I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed Pesticide Reduction Home Rule Petition, which effectively bans pesticide use at the Captains Golf Course. Captains has an extensive, documented history of environmental stewardship, placing great emphasis on protecting our natural resources, human health, and the aquifer. We provide recreational opportunities to members and guests alike, including golfers from all demographics. We have also seen record numbers of play, with an average of 90,000 rounds since 2020. Captains operates in concert with the environment, and by the guidance of the Best Management Practices for Massachusetts Golf Courses. This HRP will place a ban on all synthetic pesticides, allowing only organic alternatives. However, these alternatives are not viable options when producing high quality playing surfaces, acceptable for modem golf standards. The claim that toxic runoff is polluting streams, lakes, and drinking water sources, is simply not true. Captains has decades of water quality testing results that show pesticide levels have been consistently below levels of quantification; nitrates to groundwater are significantly below EPA thresholds. Nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizer rates have been reduced by 300%, in agreement with the Pleasant Bay Alliance and USGA recommendation. Application area has been reduced by 12:5% as well. We have documented results of reduced water usage, with over 15% savings since 2021. Products impacting pollinators have been eliminated from our IPM programs; in fact, over five acres of pollinator and monarch habitat have been established, with more planed. We are working towards certification with the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, a leading authority on environmental stewardship. Finally, the Town approved the purchase of three GPS-guided sprayers, an investment of over $350,000. With these sprayers, applied acreage was reduced by over 11 acres, or 16.5%. We now apply our plant protectants exactly where we want them, avoiding any unwanted overspray. In closing, I oppose this Pesticide Reduction Home Rule Petition, as it places undue restrictions on how we will manage Captains Golf Course. We are environmental stewards, and we are protecting the precious resources of Cape Cod. Please stand with Captains and oppose this HRP. Respectfully submitted, Golf Course Superintendent Cape Cod National Golf Club March 23, 2024 Mr. Ned Chatelain Chair, Brewster Select Board 2189 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631 RE: Proposed Pesticide Reduction Home Rule Petition Dear Mr. Chatelain, I am writing to express my concerns about the proposed Pesticide Reduction Home Rule Petition (HRP) and its potential impact on Cape Cod National Golf Club (CCNGG) and the town of Brewster as a whole. First, I would like to highlight golfs significant economic contribution to the Town. With over 125,000 rounds played annually across the three facilities in Brewster, golf is a recreation hub and a vital economic driver. CCNGC, Ocean Edge, and The Captains rely on golf based revenue to generate large financial benefits for the town through jobs, taxes, and associated spending. It seems that the success of the town's golf courses is intertwined with Brewster's overall prosperity. However, the proposed HRP, modeled after the Town of Orleans' HRP, presents challenges to golf course operators that were not adequately considered likely because Orleans does not have any golf courses. It is essential to understand that golf course operators view themselves as stewards of the land and work to enhance the positive impacts of our facilities while mitigating the potentially negative ones. For example, at CCNGC, we have reduced pesticide applications by 18% with an investment in GPS sprayers, eliminated 15 acres of maintained turf, which resulted in significant reductions in water, nitrogen, and pesticide usage, and eliminated the use of chemicals such as Merritt and Round Up due to their potential environmental harm. These steps were taken voluntarily as part of an Integrated Pest Management plan that aims to maintain turf health with limited reliance on fertilizers and pesticides. 174 SOUTH ORLEANS ROAD BREWSTER, MASSACHUSETTS 02631 (508) 240-6800 While we are committed to environmental stewardship and reducing pesticide usage, the proposed HRP imposes restrictions that threaten our ability to operate and thrive. We have built our business on providing the conditions expected in the modern golf environment, and these blanket restrictions do not consider the nuanced approach that responsible operators such as CCNGC have already undertaken. I urge the Brewster Select Board to reconsider the proposed Pesticide Reduction Home Rule Petition in its current form, as failure to do so could have severe unintended consequences. Should the Select Board wish to explore this topic further, we recommend developing a plan that works for Brewster as a whole rather than adopting a plan designed for a different town and their differing circumstances. Respectfully submitted, Michael Walker President & General Manager Cape Cod National Golf Club mwalker!ccngol£org Original message From: h curtin <h.curtin@hotmail.com> Date: 3/24/24 11:49 AM (GMT -05:00) To: townmanager <townmanager@brewster-ma.gov> Subject: Ocean Edge Golf Course To: Town of Brewster Selectmen As a fulltime resident of Cape Cod, as the Chair of the Ocean Edge member Golf Committee and as a passionate believer in safeguarding the Cape's ecosystems I am reaching out in support the initiative brought to you by Ocean Edge Resort, that they be allowed to continue the use of pesticide treatments on the golf course. Our golf member group fully supports the arguments made that Ocean Edge be included within the commercial agriculture and nurseries exemptions. Thank you for your attention, Howard Curtin 25 Harbor Way West Harwich MA 02671 Captains Golf Course 0v4 GCSAA Go lf in concert with the environment Colin J. Walsh, Superintendent GCSAA, Class A Superintendent at Captains for 3.5 years; 12 years Superintendent experience BS Turfgrass Science Penn State University, 2001 AS Turfgrass Management Stockbridge School, 1999 Member of GCSAA & Cape Cod chapter over 20 years Resident of the Town of Sandwich 37 years S TOCKBRIDGE UMASS OGCSAA The fact of the matter is .... Captains is a good steward of the environment, human health, & the aquifer! • Golf course management has changed significantly over the past 30 — 50+ years • Regulations established — Fertilizer, pesticide, and water • Golfer expectations — Less demand for aesthetics driven maintenance • University & industry research — Golf course maintenance w/more efficient, safer practices: Best Management Practices *Increased sustainability and environmental awareness* Best Management Practices NpENTS 4SA% OYA 0 z Op° Established in 2018 Best Management Practices Pesticide Management • Water Conservation • Water Quality Monitoring • Nutrient Management • Cultural Practices Pollinator Habitat j to d o NETS ,q,S 0 ti Threshold levels, Environmental Impact Quotient, GPS sprayers 19% Reduction in water withdrawals 2020 — 2023 No pesticides detected, nitrates below thresholds —1.5 ppm Nitrogen and phosphorous cut in half, 300 % reduction since 1990s Thatch reduction, aeration, irrigation, drainaige, IPM, microbials Created 200,000 sq ft of native area for pollinators & monarchs Established in 2018 Pesticide Management: New GPS Sprayers (3) • $352,000 purchase price • Approved by Fin Com, SB, and Town Meeting for increased efficiencies and protections • Accurately calibrated • Put products exactly where we want them • Enclosed operator cabs 16.5% Reduction in Applied Acreage A� MDAR Regulations • Post information about the application • Use personal protective equipment • Document every spray • Dispose of empty containers properly • State licensed & certified • Recertification & auditing every 3 years • Report annual use and total quantities • HazCom Plan & Spill Response Training NG C©rnelHCALe SCollege of Agncvit uro and 14 . Soothe., 1 v r rq New York State Integrated Pest Management - RISK ASSESSM ENT - RESEARCH & INITIATIVES - OUTREACH 8, EDUCATION - FC O RESILIENCE - ABOUT US En viro nmental Impact Qu otient EIQ—A M ethod to Measure the Environmental Impact of Pesticides. • A formula created to provide glowers :- 41r, with data rega t iin s the attll. Iii '>' •c%'�µ� " their 'pesticide options, so they can er-inform ed decisions tiAeir pesticide .selection. 1 `e Cornet V CA LS College of Agriculture and Life Scien ces gal Cornell CAL or s:I t. ti e Scon ows Ne w York State Integrated Pest Man agement - RISK ASSESSMENT - RESEARCH & INITIATIVES - OUTREACH & EDUCATION - ECO RESILIENCE Environ mentaL lrnpact Quotient EIQ—A M ethod to Measure the Enviro nmental Impact of Pesticides. AB OU N. N. Y ork State t nt 1 c ,.,trl_f P Cnv;r on _ es t�ge�ent mental Impact Qu otient ent (EIQ) Field Use version t .o Start typing or select an acti ve ingredient: Active ingredient % (Example . 15?' = 15): Product rate (Exampl e. 31b/acre = 3): Pr oduct measurement unit: dry ounces (oz) Application area: 1000 ft2 Liquid product formulations use the specific de weight of a standardized pr oduct vol orgy of water to calculate El Q. instead . Submit Q' Fo r best results use the DISCLAIMER. Res ults be the only generated from the Field Y sourc e of infer Use University or the N information when EIQ Calculator New Y ork State 1P making a pesticide m anagement not guaranteed and or consequential damages, Stateincludi ng Program be liable to any pa Bement decision In no event sh ould never Corrr lost profits, ansin party f ordir ect,t ect indirect hall Cornell ie 1 i 9out ofthe special, use of the Field Use incidental, CM�r yttii�w+ c Et4 Calculator. CALS C M _ N U .] it ° 0 0 O o 0 ill O 9 0 t}O b f n n O' V t' Dn a U P. n 0 n rt 0 0 J° G° o" i1 <t ft p n G p n u o c. D. n rt a n o` ., r 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 O O D 0 b 0 °' p +1 U 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 b t U }a t„ o o a q 0 ` a° ° B Ct V .n O - n U .. o.. -_ n r .. 0 D. , 0 0. J° r, j u 0^ p v o- - e •o n o p , ° .a ■ 1 I \ rConervati,on 6 Q C. o O n a n °.o n 0 0 0 n u 0 4 o at Captains Reduction in water usage since 2020 DEP Permit allows 50.1 million gallons • Consistently below DEP limit • Total use reported annually • Water meters calibrated annually •23.5 million gallons saved 0 u 0 0 b o . 0 0 v (------ a v o n pc a n a� °° 6 o rt� n, an .C. p 0 O' 0 0 0 0 r 0 p 0 C. 0 a b n 0 0 ut} er DEP 0 n 0 q 0 0 0 0 8 6 0 0 6 0' O n P cb �! Q C fi U Water Con'ervation at Captains 0 G C O P G P 9 O 0 O 0 0 0 n 0 G e a 9 P c 6 0 Reduction in water usage since 2020 • DEP Permit allows 50.1 million gallons • Consistently below DEP limit • Total use reported annually • Water meters calibrated annually illion gallons saved under DEP limit r 00- 'O P b Y! 0 P 0 0 fi W''{, 00P J 7p G t 0 3 3 9 9 P O P b 0 m n b 0 d, C P, Ba P P n P b b G h b r a 0 R P. P 9 p b O bd '�.00 O b 0 n y�� P V LSO. 0 Nutrient Management Pleasant Bay Alliance Lysimeters and Test Wells Testing groundwater under fairways Reduced fertilized area 12.5% 300% reduction in fertilizer rates Below threshold level for nitrate "'1. 5 ppm Pleasant Bav ,4 Alliance fo q4 Ilimo Nutrient Management Pleasant Bay Alliance Lysimeters and Test Wel nixem Testing groundw- er under fairw Reduced',1zed area 12.5% 300% reduction in fertilizer rates Below threshold level for nitrate "'1.5 ppm Pleasant Bat Alliance In addition to industry initiatives.... Golf course superintendent are regulat d b, • Federal Law • EPA • FIFRA Pesticide Laws MA State Law • MA M DAR • Pesticide Bureau • MA DEP • Water Management Act • Zone II Protection Areas • Plant Nutrient Management Act • Pleasant Bay Alliance 1DAR oc ncui�;u! sutr a! F:,a��u+ "sI Pleasant Bav 'Alliance • IPM — Monitor thresholds, soil tests, least toxic options • Aeration, dethatching, topdressing, rolling • Organics, seaweed extracts, fish meal, humates, microbes • No wall-to-wall crabgrass prevention since 2020 • Spot treat weeds in fairways and tees OZOZ aDu!s uopuanaad sseAgen Hem -o1. -Hem oN . sagoa3Iw `saaewnq 'Ieaw qsg `spema paanneas `saiueaao 2UWWWoa '2u!ssa.Ipdol Tuigplegpap 'uon.eaa j . suoildo oixouseal `sisal Hios `spiogsaaqn Joiluow — [Aid! • In Summary.... • At Captains Golf Course, we oppose the Pesticide Reduction HRP • It places undue restrictions on how we manage the golf courses • We are environmental stewards • We are protecting Cape Cod's precious resources • Please stand with Captains and oppose this Home Rule Petition CoUwj. i4)ci2 . Golf Course Superintendent