HomeMy Public PortalAboutWater Quality Review Committee -- 2023-12-22 MinutesDate Approved: 2123/24
Vote: 5-0-0
TOWN OF BREWSTER
Water Quality Review Committee
2198 Main Street
Brewster, Massachusetts 02631-1898
(508) 896-3701 x1121
FAX (508) 896-8089
TOWN OF BREWSTER
MINUTES of WATER QUALITY REVIEW COMMITTEE
Friday, December 22, 2023 at 9:00 AM
WQRC MEETING AGENDA
Attending Committee Members:
Chair Robert Michaels convened the Water Quality Review Committee meeting at 9:OOAM with
members Vice Chair Amy von Hone, Kimberley Crocker Pearson, Ned Chatelain, Chris Miller, and
Susan Brown, deemed there to be a quorum and read the recording statement.
Members Absent: John Keith
Guests:
Item 1: Update on Solar Array Project, Freemans Way — BOH approval letter for termination
of the Site Assignment as part of the Landfill Closure and Post -Closure Use under DEP
regulations.
Amy gave a quick update because we have done a lot of work with the applicant on that as part of
the solar array project. As part of the DEP approval for that site, because it did have an open landfill
permit for its prior use, BOH was required to approve the site assignment. Because that landfill has
now been closed, DEP, as part of the administrative process for closure of the landfill, BOH formally
voted to close the site assignment that had been earmarked for that property on 12/6. They are
continuing to move forward with that process through DEP to get that property developed with a new
solar array project. Just FYI for everybody. They do still have monitoring wells that they will be
forwarding those results to us on an annual basis. No further questions.
Item 2: Discussion to prioritize upcoming topics for WQRC to review and make
recommendations:
a. Review and revise application and renewal process for WQRC certificates
b. Continue discussion of current and future role of WQRC
c. Continue discussion of Zoning Bylaw pertaining to the Water Quality
Protection District, its current function, and future needs to be addressed
Amy said this was derived from the conversation from our last meeting where Jon Idman, Town
Planner, gave a thorough background on the zoning bylaw and how he interprets it and how the
bylaw defines the role of this committee, which is narrow as it is currently written in the bylaw. It was
WQRC Meeting Minutes
12-22-2023
written for a reason at the time. Right now, there is a strong need to review the bylaw and figure out
what needs to be revised. Bottom line, this is going to involve a much broader and higher-level policy
decision with our new water quality resource taskforce and Select Board Policy decision. It is going
to affect how we review certificates. This will be presented at the next taskforce meeting in January.
Amy's recommendation is to place certificates on hold for 2024 until that decision is made. Chris
asked if we should vote to extend all existing permits, so they are not delinquent in the next year, or
are we planning to do something different. We probably won't solve this in the next 6 months. Amy
said the way she sees it, we've all of 2024 to renew these. She is not concerned as she doesn't
know any that have had changes. Chris asked if it's useful to have a Board to review these so staff
aren't under as much pressure from businesses. Amy agreed. She doesn't think this board process
would change, just the procedure for renewals. Robert asked if it was useful to think about two
separate processes — special permit with change of use, versus the renewal? Chris said there have
been many changes in the last few years and we are looking at many big changes coming. The
original WQRC delt with the area around the wells, and that expanded to the wells on both sides of
town and included the watershed from pleasant bay and the Herring River Watershed. We are going
to have a much larger charge going forward. We may need to get a professional to draft it. Amy said
water quality issues are not going away, it's a matter of how we can be more efficient. We need to
update how we are addressing our water quality issues. Ned said he would be comfortable holding
off on renewals at this time. Robert thinks it would be a good idea to proactively let these certificate
holders know that things are in flux for now and we are re -addressing this, so they don't waste their
time and effort. Ned said we will wait for some feedback from the taskforce before moving forward.
Robert asked what would trigger another WQRC Meeting — it would meet on an as needed basis.
Amy said we probably wouldn't meet next until February after we get information from the taskforce.
She will also look into Cape Sand and see what to do there.
Item 2: Approyal of Minutes from 5/26/23 & 8/25/23
5/26/23 — as written
8/25/23- edit on page 4 under Susan's name - tested water with a ?, please change to - testing our
water for 29 specific PFOS levels in October 2024
MOTION to approve the 5/26/23 Meeting Minutes as written and the 8/25/23 Meeting Minutes
with that edit.
MOVED by Ned Chatelain. Seconded by Kimberley Pearson.
VOTE: 6 -yes 0 -no
Item 4: For Your Information -none
Item 5: Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair -none
Next Meeting: January 26, 2024
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:38AM.
MOVED by Susan Brown. Kimberley Pearson second.
VOTE: 6 -yes 0 -no
Respectfully Submitted by: Beth Devine
Packet of additional documents available on the website for public review
WQRC Meeting Minutes
12-22-2023
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