HomeMy Public PortalAboutWMSC Minutes 2008-12-18 Date Approved: January 21,2009
TOWN OF ORLEANS
TOWN CLERKS OFFICE
09 APR 10 PM 2: 09
For Official Use Only
WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT STEERING COMMITTEE
Minutes of December 18,2008
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); Sims McGrath(Planning Board); Ann Hodgkinson(Board of Water Commissioners); Judith
Bruce(Conservation Commission);George Meservey(Planning Director); Board of Selectmen
Representative: David Dunford(Board of Selectmen) Wright-Pierce Representative: Michael
Giggey. Absent: Walter Bennett(Finance Committee).
MOMENT OF SILENCE
McKissick requested a moment of silence to commemorate the passing of committee member, John
Hinckley,Jr.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 20 2008
MOTION: On a motion by Ann Hodgkinson, seconded by Judith Bruce,the Board voted to
approve the minutes of November 20,2008.
VOTE: 4-0-0 The motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
MOTION: On a motion by Judith Bruce, seconded by Ann Hodgkinson,the Board voted to
approve the minutes of December 4, 2008.
VOTE: 4-0-0 The motion passed unanimously.
CRECKERBOARDING LEGISLATION
McKusick reported that the Checkerboarding Legislation is currently residing on the Governor's desk
waiting for his signature. McKissick noted that the legislation might not be necessary any longer due to
the environmental bill which was amended this past summer,and noted that the checkerboarding ability
as a local option was inserted into the new legislation which also addresses financial advantages to certain
towns. McKusick noted that the problem with Orleans taking advantage of the financial and
Wastewater Management Steering Committee Minutes—December 18, 2008 Page 1 of 3
checkerboarding options, it will require that the Town of Orleans adopt Chapter 83.. Meservey noted that
the Town Administrator is requesting input from the Wastewater Management Steering Committee
regarding the advisability of moving forward with this piece of legislation knowing that the
environmental bill legislation exists. Meservey noted that town counsel has opined that the provisions for
checkerboarding are all embedded in Chapter 312 of the Acts of 2008,but the difference is that the town
meeting would have to approve the somewhat redundant legislation in order to get the local option.
Hodgkinson expressed her opinion that the town should move forward with the Checkerboarding
Legislation because there is too much to lose if options are not explored. McGrath expressed his opinion
that it is important for the town to adopt the provisions of Chapter 83A because there are so many other
regulatory processes and there is no fiscal cost to the town and it allows for future choices. McGrath
noted that the Planning Board can send a letter of support to the Board of Selectmen requesting inclusion
of an article regarding the legislation on the town meeting warrant. McGrath suggested that a letter of
support from the Wastewater Management Steering Committee would also be appropriate.
MOTION: On a motion by Sims McGrath, seconded by Judith Bruce,the Board voted to
request the Town Administrator to work with the Board of Selectmen to support moving the
special Checkerboarding Legislation for the Governor's signature.
VOTE: 4-0-0 The motion passed unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Wastewater Validation And Design Committee-McGrath gave a report on presentations to the
Wastewater Validation&Design Committee by Lombardo&Heufelder on December 9 and 16,
2008 regarding alternative technology and the technology test center respectively.
WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING
The committee discussed priorities and budgeting based on a draft outline entitled, "Wastewater
Management Planning: FY10 and FYI l Priorities of the Wastewater Management Steering Committee",
dated December 16, 2008 (attached).
Michael Giggey described why preliminary design is needed before proceeding to final design and noted
that it is a judicious use of funds. Giggey noted that preliminary design is used to obtain permits and
approvals and to identify land needs and availability and to affirm the size of all the necessary
components of facilities. Groundwater Discharge Permit and Site Assignment are completed with the
preliminary design before committing significant fiuids to the final design. Giggey stated that preliminary
design enables updates to be made to the cost estimates. Giggey noted that need for a preliminary design
to use as a basis for a State Revolving Find(SRF)application. McGrath questioned whether 0%interest
funds might only be available for construction of infrastructure. The committee agreed on a target of
FY12 for final design of Phase 1.
The committee briefly discussed the following items:
➢ Capital plan
➢ Enlargement flushing including cost, disposal options,where applicable,permitting and impact
on Total Maximum Daily Load compliance.
Wastewater Management Steering Committee Minutes—December 18, 2008 Page 2 of 3
Cedar Pond
➢ The need for additional FYI funds to prevent a funding shortfall.
➢ The need to include a policy on private treatment facilities in the final Comprehensive
Wastewater Management Plan.
Judith Bruce left the meeting at 10:30 a.m.
PLEASANT BAS'ALLIANCE
Giggey reported on a presentation of the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan to the Pleasant
Bay Alliance and the progress on regionalization study. Giggey noted that the towns of Brewster and
Eastham are engaged in providing data to support the study.
ENSR REPORT
Carolyn Kennedy noted that comments from the ENSR report were not incorporated into the draft
Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan.
AIDJOURN1%IENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:48 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen C. Sharpless
Recording Secretary
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