HomeMy Public PortalAboutWMSC Minutes 2008-06-19-working Date Approved: July 24.2008
TOWN,OF ORLEANS
TOWN CLERKS OFFICE
08 JUL 28 AM 10: 53
Cp)l 1&Z&/____
For Official Use Only
WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT STEERING CommaTEE
Minutes of June 19, 2008-Working Meeting(8:00-9:00 a.m.)
A meeting of the Wastewater Management Steering Committee was called to order at 8:00 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); Rick Segal(Finance Committee);Wright-Pierce Representatives:.
Michael Giggey and Heather Merriman; and members of the Citizen's Advisory Committee(John
Hodgkinson,Peter Decks,and Caroline Kennedy). Absent: John Hinckley(Board of Selectmen);
George Meservey(Planning Director).
DISCUSSION OF REQUEST FOR PEER REVIEW
McKusick reported on a request to the Wastewater Management Steering Committee from resident
.engineers, Ed Daly and Paul Amman to hold a"peer review", specifically requesting that the committee
review the Pleasant Bay report to analyze the and verify the results of the Total Maximum Daily Load
calculations. McKusick noted that due to legal complications between the State Department of
Environmental Protection and the University of Massachusetts all reports and.information have stopped
being issued for the past year or more due to a gag order regarding ongoing mediation. McKusick
explained that the request for a"peer review"included an allocation of$60,000, apparently to be taken
from-the wastewater budget for-the-this peer review. McKusick noted committee concerns regarding the
provisions of the recently proposed peer review such as;when would the review be done,and how will
the review progress and what will the Town do with the results. McKusick summarized a portion of the
original Charge to the Wastewater Management Steering Committee dated July 12,2000 as follows:. To
develop a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan andpresent a final report with implementation
recommendations to the Board of Selectmen upon completion of the study.
McKusick stated that the Wastewater Management Steering Conunitteetimeline calls for an intensive 7-
week public education workshop program during the summer of 2008 which will go forward as planned.
McKusick reminded the group that at the end of the public workshops,there will be a Wright-Pierce draft
final Comprehensive Wastewater Management report based on the Wastewater Management Steering.
Committee recommendations of a plan which will have public hearings and will be presented to the Board
of Selectmen. McKusick thought that it was the intention of the committee to obtain approval from the
Board of Selectmen-to go forward with a presentation-to-the-town meeting voters at a fall 2008 town
meeting. Committee members discussed the impact of the$60,000 cost requested for the proposed"peer
review"and how it would affect the finances that have previously been anticipated and allocated by town
meeting voter for the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan process.
Wastewater Management Steering Committee Minutes—June 19, 2008—Working Meeting Page 1 of 2
DISCUSSION WITH MICHAEL GIGGEY
The committee discussed the various aspects of"phasing in"the Comprehensive Wastewater
Management.Plan,and how the new break in Chatham has affected the tidal.flushing in various inlets and
ponds and the plant growth in those areas. Giggey noted the need for a person or a committee that
manages the implementation process of the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan. The
committee discussed the need to move forward with the summer workshops in order to get the public
input and feedback on the process and to answer questions. McKusick also shared the need to get the
Board of Selectmen more involved in the process in order to gain their support to move forward with the
process of bringing the plan to a fall 2008 town meeting. Ann.Hodgkinson questioned the need.and
advisability of preparing and gaining signatures for a petition article in the event that the Board of
Selectmen do not choose to put an article for presentation of the Comprehensive Wastewater Management
Plan on the town meeting warrant.
CONSENSUS: There was consensus among the committee that a statement be made at the Board of
Selectmen meeting regarding the charge(dated 12.July 2000)of the Wastewater Management Steering
Committee and their intent to move forward with the summer public education workshops to inform the
public of the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan process.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: On a motion by Judith Bruce, seconded by Ann Hodgkinson,the Board voted to adjourn
the June-19, 2008 working meeting of the.Wastewater Management Steering.Committee.
VOTE: 4-0-0 The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:57 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
C
Karen C. Sharpless
Recording Secretary
Wastewater Management Steering Committee Minutes—June 19, 2008—Working Meeting Page 2 of 2