HomeMy Public PortalAboutWMSC Minutes 2008-01-17 &N OF'ORL^EANS
TOWN CLERKS OFFICE
08 MAR 27 ,PM
For Official Use Only
WASTEWATER AGEMENT STEERING COMMITTEE
Minutes of January 17,2008
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); Ann Hodgkinson(Board of Water Commissioners);Judith Bruce(Conservation Commission);
Sims McGrath(Planning Board);George Meservey(Planning Director);Also Present: Wright-Pierce
Representative: Michael Giggey(Wright-Pierce) ;Heather Merriman(Wright-Pierce)Kevin Olsen;
Citizen's Advisory Committee members: John Hodgkinson,Absent: John Hinckley(Board of 6
Selectmen).
RESIGNATION OF BOB DONATH
McKissick announced that Bob Donath has resigned from the Finance Committee and will no longer be
the Finance Committee representative to the Wastewater Management Steering Committee. McKusick
thanked Donath for his nearly two years of service.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 10,2008
MOTION: On a motion by Ann Hodgkinson, seconded by Judith Bruce,the Board voted to
approve the minutes of January 10,2007.
VOTE: 5-0-0 The motion passed unanimously.
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COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Conservation Commission—Bruce reported that the draft of the Orleans`Blue Pages"is complete and
requested that a discussion be held on how and when it should be released.
Board of Water Commissioners—Hodgkinson expressed that she was "disheartened"with the way the.
January 16,2008 Board of Selectmen's presentation went and stated that scheduling the
presentation We in their meeting sent a bad message that the wastewater effort is not as important
as other things in town.
Wastewater Management Steering Committee Minutes—January 17, 2008 Page 1 of 3
Board of Health;'.-McKusiok.updated the committee on the following issues:
.;.
--Pm status of•letterstosthe University of Massachusetts and the Department of Environmental
Protection expressing frustration with the lack of timely Massachusetts Estuaries Project reports
and requests for public information.
The Finance Committee has requested cost figures for wastewater for review.
4- The Legislative hearing on checkerboarding is scheduled for January 22,2008 in Boston.
There is a need to discuss scheduling and how to"roll out"the plan.
PHASE 4 PRESENTATION
Michael Giggey asked for committee input on slides due to the Board of Selectmen concerns expressed at
their meeting on January 16,2008. The committee discussed various ways to improve the presentation
for the public meetings.
HYDRAULIC LOADING REPORT
Heather Merriman presented materials on the Tri-Town site soils and noted that the test basin was 29
gallons per day per square foot. Merriman noted that according to the Department of Environmental
Protection guidelines,the site can handle 1 million gallons per day. The committee discussed the hope
that the loading test results will justify a greater loading rate. Merriman reported that 10 perculation tests
were performed which incorporated earlier tests done by other professionals.
USGS MODEL
Wright-Pierce has obtained the USGS model and is working to refine the model. Mounding analysis
shows a maximum mounding of 10 feet with 3040 feet to groundwater. The next step is to affirm a
scope of work with the Department of Environmental Protection to determine change in the watershed
based on loading.
PEAKING FACTORS
The committee had a long discussion of peaking factors and loading rates. Wright-Pierce continues to
work with the Department of Environmental Protection on the Town's behalf.
FACILITY SIZE NEEDS
Giggey talked about the size needed for a Wastewater Treatment Plant. There are no ideal 50-acre sites in
Orleans for the following uses: treatment,handling,sludge treatment and sludge dewatering. The
committee reviewed slides of treatment plants on constrained sites such as Manchester by the Sea;Wells,
Maine,West Island,MA, Oak Bluffs;Old Town,ME; Skowhegan;Boothbay Harbor;Gardner;MA,etc.
FUTURE PRESENTATIONS
The Committee discussed future public meetings and what would be presented.
Wastewater Management Steering Committee Minutes—January 17,2008 Page 2 of 3
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FINANCING
McKusick questioned financing design through the Capital Improvement Plan and having a complete
timeline so that the plan can move forward.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 11:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen C. Sharpless
Recording Secretary
Wastewater Management Steering Committee Minutes—January 17, 2008 Page 3 of 3