HomeMy Public PortalAboutWMSC Minutes 2008-05-08 Date Approved: August 27,2008
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TOINN OF ORLEANS
TGWN CLERKS OFFICE
08 AUG 28 AN 9: 03
For Official Use Only
WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT STEERING COMMI'T'TEE
Minutes of May 8,2008
A meeting of the Wastewater Management Steering Committee was called to order at 9:00 a.m. in the
Nauset Meeting Room at the Orleans Town Hall. Members Present: Augusta McKusick(Board of
Health); Sims McGrath(Planning Board);Ann Hodgkinson(Board of Water Commissioners); Judith
Bruce.(Conservation Conunission);_John Hinckley(Board,of Selectmen);:Walter Bennett(Finance
Committee); George Meservey(Planning Director). Also Present: Lou Briganti(Water Superintendent);
Bob Canning(Health Department); Jay Burgess(Tri-Town Plant Manager);Mark Carron(Board of
Selectmen); John F. Kelly(Town Administrator). Wright-Pierce Representatives: Michael Giggey and
Heather Merriman. Citizen's Advisory Committee: Bob Donath,Peter Deeks, and John Hodgkinson.
DISCUSSION ON FORMER COMPOST SHED AT TRI-TOWN SITE.
Giggey provided background information on the property located around the abandoned Tri-Town
compost shed. Giggey noted that Orleans has obtained an agreement from the Towns of Eastham and
Brewster for the rights to use Parcel 1 and/or Parcel IA for purposes other than as a septage facility.
Meservey clarified that Orleans has full control over the northerly parcel(known as Parcel 1)and an
option to obtain the same for Parcel IA to the south. Giggey stated that the town needs to determine:
through a feasibility study whether there can be multiple uses on the property such as wastewater and
public works functions. Giggey noted the need to consider a wastewater plan that has the capacity for
future expansion to handle the possibility of increased wastewater flow. Giggey noted that in the short-
term or medium-term, one of the plans might allow public works functions at the compost shed,but most
likely not for the long-term. Burgess stated that the"pad"under the shed is designed to collect leachate
from the compost for transport.to the treatment plant. Giggey noted that there are only six acres
contained in Parcels I and IA which may not be large enough to handle many functions. Giggey noted
that the town may consider using the parcel in the aggregate for three functions such as certain public
works functions,wastewater treatment,and wastewater disposal which all have different basic
requirements. Burgess expressed concern with inadequate drainage and ponding around the compost shed
due to poor soils.
PHASE 5 REPORT
The committee discussed a Wright-Pierce report of the three proposed wastewater plans with Giggey in
order to provide committee input for the final report. Giggey clarified that the size of the proposed sewer
system is not the same in all three plans due the discharge of nitrogen from treated wastewater into
sensitive watersheds which then could require expanded sewer systems. Giggey noted that with respect to
the transfer of water and transfer of nitrogen,there are subtle differences among the plans,but nothing of
Wastewater Management Steering Committee Minutes—May 8, 2008 Page 1 of 2
any significance. Giggey explained that each of the three plans equally meets-the Total Maximum Daily
Load thresholds,but the difference comes when you get to the extent of sewers needed to accomplish
that. Giggey declared that one of the significant benefits of Plan 2 is that it has the smallest associated
sewer system and that influence_is felt in many areas such as environmental impact,size of collection
treatment disposal facilities and the associated costs. Giggey explained that in a comparison of the three
plans,it should be noted that some of the differences between plans pertains to the number of homes that
would be served. The committee discussed the costs of each.of the wastewater plans and how they are
determined. The committee noted that traffic issues for each plan must be specified and would eventually
need to be addressed in order to minimize the impact on neighborhoods and town roads.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen C. Sharpless
Recording Secretary
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