HomeMy Public PortalAboutWMSC Minutes 2008-06-19 Date Approved: August 7.2008
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For Official Use Only
WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT STEERING COMMTTEE
Minutes of June 19, 2008-Regular Meeting
A meeting of the Wastewater Management Steering Committee was called to order at 9:00 a.m. in the
Skaket Meeting Room at the Orleans Town Hall. Members Present: Augusta McKusick(Board of
Health); Sims McGrath(Planning Board); John Hinckley(Board of Selectmen)—late arrival;
Ann Hodgkinson(Board of Water Commissioners),Judith Bruce(Conservation Commission);Rick Segal
(Finance Committee);George Meservey(Planning Director);Bob Canning(Health Dept);Mark Carron
(Board of Selectmen). Wright-Pierce Representatives: Michael Giggey and Heather Merriman; and
members of the Citizen's Advisory-Committee.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:.
Conservation Commission—Judith Bruce reported on an upcoming Pleasant Bay mini-symposium to be
held on June 26, 2008 on the Pleasant Bay inlet changes from the new break to be held at the
Chatham Community Center at 7:00 p.m.
Board,of Health—Gussie.McKusick reported on.the Nutrient Management Regulations-which will be
discussed at the June 19,2008 Board of Health meeting. McKusick reported on the upcoming
Water Protection Collaborative mailings called"Bring back the Blue". McKusick stated that a
new survey will be prepared for public input.
Planning Board—Meservey reported that the Planning Board is working on population trends and
projections.
Citizen's Advisory Committee—Bob Donath was thanked for his extensive work on the wastewater
Posters and it was noted that the summer workshops start on July 8, 2008.
DISCUSSION WITH MICHAEL GIGGEY
Giggey discussed the following letters with the Wastewater Management Steering Committee:
• Wright-Pierce letter entitled, "Orleans Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan: Costs for
"No Growth"and"Full Sewering"Plans, dated June 16, 2008
• Wright-Pierce letter entitled, "Orleans Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan:
Developing a"Growth Neutral"Wastewater Plan", dated June 17, 2008.
Wastewater Management Steering Committee Minutes—Tune 19, 2008—Regular Meeting Page 1 of 3
Michael Giggey reviewed costs scenarios,growth neutral wastewater planning and other topics with the
committee. Giggey explained the types of issues addressed in the May 2008 Wright-Pierce report
entitled, "Draft Detailed Evaluation of Alternatives"such as level of treatment,where to locate
wastewater treatment sites,where to locate effluent.disposal, and-how to manage nitrogen among the
watersheds. Giggey explained about the various types of structural and non-structural issues involved
with the progression of a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan. Giggey stated that structural
issues are included in capital improvements made by a town, such as sewers,treatment plant and effluent
disposal. Giggey explained non-structural issues that could have financial costs, but are not big capital
projects, such as a fertilizer control program to help produce nitrogen in the watersheds,growth
management, and acquisition of open space to control growth and protect estuaries.. Giggey noted that
the non-structural options will be developed over the summer as part of the complete Comprehensive
Wastewater Management Plan. Giggey indicated that a 20 year planning horizon could result in a 22%
increase over the current wastewater flow. Giggey stated that theoretical build-out would have resulted in
an 86%increase over the current wastewater flow. Giggey indicated that practical build-out would have
resulted in a 36%increase(2/3rds over a 20 years planning horizon)resulting in a 22%increase. The
committee discussed growth expectations for the future and Meservey noted that the Planning Board has
been undertaking a study of growth trends in Orleans.
The committee discussed whether the nutrient regulations are short-term or long-term and what happened
when sewer connections are made available. Ann Hodgkinson noted the need to regulate growth neutral
from a variety of angles. Hodgkinson stated that there needs to be parity between sewered and non-
sewered.parcels..
The committee discussed the planning horizon and whether it was adequate to meet anticipated demand.
McGrath concluded that the 22%growth at planning horizon is an adequate and well-founded base from
which to proceed.
The committee discussed methods of reducing fertilizer use.and Caroline.Kennedy offered to make an
Environmental Protection Agency video available of how other towns have successfully reduced fertilizer
use.
COMPREHENSIVE WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN ITEMS
Other items for the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan were discussed by the committee as
follows:
® Giggey stated he is trying to schedule an initial meeting with Meservey at the Boston
Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency offices regarding the Massachusetts
Environmental Protection Agency review and noted the following three steps to the process:
(1) Environmental Notification Filing
(2) Draft Environmental Impact Report
(3) Final Environmental Impact Report
i
Wastewater Management Steering Committee Minutes—June 19, 2008—Regular Meeting Page 2 of 3
REGIONALIZATION STUDY
Merriman reported that Wright-Pierce has data from other towns such as Eastham as Brewster and work
will start.on.the"Economics of Scale"study. Giggey expressed.a willingness-to revisit-the idea of towns:
ownership of septic systems. McGrath questioned the idea of non-structural solutions and Giggey
responded that the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan implementation plan includes a phased
approach with recommendations on sewer connections. It was noted that fertilizer reduction may be a
key to reducing the size of a sewer facility. Giggey noted that non-structural solutions required more
verification steps,and need to be approved by the Department of Environmental Protection. McKusick
stated that controlling fertilizer is a county issue and offered to bring the subject up at the Cape Cod
Water Protection Collaborative she will be attending with John Hinckley.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
C,
Karen C. Sharpless
Recording Secretary
Wastewater Management Steering Committee Minutes—June 19, 2008—Regular Meeting Page 3 of 3