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Town Of Brewster
2198 Main Street
Brewster, Massachusetts 02631-1898
(508) 896-3701 ext. 133
FAX (508) 896-8089
Date Approved: August 23, 2010
Comprehensive Water
Planning Committee
TOWN OF BREWSTER MINUTES OF
COMPREHENSIVE WATER PLANNING COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
Monday, July 26, 2010 at 4:30 P.M.
Brewster Town Office Building
Pat Hughes convened the Comprehensive Water Planning Committee meeting at 4:35 pm
in the Brewster Town Office Building with members Joanne Hughes, Jane Johnson, Amy
Usowski, Lem Skidmore, Elizabeth Taylor and Dave Bennett.
Absent: Dave Michniewicz, John Lipman,
Also Present: Sue Leven, Jim Gallagher, Nancy Ice, Chris Miller
A. Citizen's Forum
Sandy Zevon, homeowner on Elbow Pond. He has watched the pond turn into a swamp
and has seen a huge increase in the lily pads and the vegetation growing on the pond. He
is scared of what is happening. They saw a fish that they had never seen before and
brought it to the Museum of Natural History. It was determined to be a bottom feeder and
eating the algae on the bottom of the pond. Is concerned about the activities of the
cranberry growers in the area but heard that the bog owners are powerful and they can't
fight them. There have to be restrictions on what can be done in the bogs. He has seen the
cranberry growers flooding the bogs and then the water goes back into the pond -there has
to be some protection. He will do anything that he can to protect the ponds.
P. Hughes: Asked if there was an Elbow Pond association? Zevon: no, but there could be.
It is dangerous and he almost drowned because of the lily pads. He got stuck in the growth
and a teenager had to come in to save him.
Taylor: looked at a picture of the fish and thought it might be a carp. She will confirm and
get back to him.
Bennett: How long have you lived on the Pond?
Zevon: 38 years. noticed the tad poles go first, then the frogs and then all of a sudden the
vegetation. They used to stock the pond with pickerel and large mouth bass. He heard the
bass ate up all the tad poles. He has been reading about the intent/goals of the CWPC
committee and it has same concerns.
07-26-10 www.TOWN.BREWSTER.MA.US Page 1 of7
Bennett: Is there any area that this seems to be starting in.
Zevon: near the bog and then spreads out. Ocean Spray owns one and then a private
owner another. He met someone who swims the pond daily -and learned that this
swimmer was concerned also. He lives right next to the bog. He sees the bags of fertilizer
being dropped in the early hours of the morning - 4-5 am. It is really sad. The way the
bogs are worked has changed over time. They are using wet harvesting now.
Russ Schell: would like to reinforce what has been said. Between Elbow and Walkers there
is another bog. When you have a rainstorm the water travels through the bogs and into
Walkers Pond. This seems to be the source of the contamination of the pond however it can
not be confirmed because it is on private property. The committee might want to consider
getting an administrative subpoena to gain access to see what the pipe is and where the
pipe is draining. Last year the pond was shut down because of a health hazard and he felt
the Town had the right to take this action.
Zevon: lives right next to the pond. He could get a water sample if the committee wanted
Miller: Elbow Pond is a great pond so rights to the water are preserved and we could collect
water samples. What are we looking for? When was the last time the bog was flooded? As
a standard they are testing and the next test is scheduled for Aug/Sep.
Bennett: concerned about trespass issues and should not encourage any testing that is not
allowed. There was something in a previous package from the Cranberry Assoc. regarding
best management practices. Has the committee discussed it and if not then he would like to
discuss that at some point.
Johnson: Our consultant knows about this problem and it has been flagged and we are
going to be addressing the issue.
Schell: would agree that the cranberry growers have a right to the water but not to
contaminate. The subpoena is not a violation of trespass and felt the committee could
proceed.
Zevon: showed the committee a picture of the pipe draining into the pond.
The committee requested that the pictures be sent to Sue Leven.
Follow up on 7/12 Meeting with CDM
1. Discussion of status of project
P. Hughes; would like to draft a memo to CDM to be sure that the CWPC is clear on what
they expect from CDM for the next meeting to ensure everyone was on the same page. She
asked if the committee had a chance to review the drafts that CDM has presented. She
wanted to know what or where the committee felt we need to be at the end of Phase 1.
Skidmore: is confused - he was struggling with preparing for this meeting. CDM has
prepared a lot of data but he doesn't understand what are we suppose to produce and
where are we? He reviewed the updated timeline and according to the chart we are finished
through Task 3. But he hasn't seen most of this information.
07-26-]0 www.TOWN.BREWSTER.MA.US Paget of7
P. Hughes: what do you need and what does the committee need in the report to prioritize?
Information needs to be presented in a way that is clear.
Skidmore: not seeing the information as clear. We talked about this a couple of meetings
ago -but haven't seen the information we requested from the timeline. CDM is preparing a
lot of information but he doesn't know how it fits into the deliverable chart.
P. Hughes: In the recent materials you have gotten are they in a format that is acceptable?
Or would the committee like to see more of an overview, what is more helpful.
Skidmore: we have a whole lot of stuff but he doesn't see how it all fits. Wants to see the
summary.
J. Hughes: The wastewater issue: wondered if CDM expected to have everything
computerized in the BOH? Unfortunately, we don't have that and seems to be a short
coming. Were they expecting something more when they prepared their proposal?
Leven: Probably not, but that is one of the most important pieces of information they need:
BOH and water use data tied to parcel data. She felt that is probably something that is
going to be identified as needing to be done.
P. Hughes to J. Hughes: do you feel like you know more about the town and any potential
red flags in Brewster?
J. Hughes: She hasn't had any bright lights -nothing really new from her perspective. She
knew that the ponds were effected by the bogs but unsure as to which ponds were affected.
She knows that now. The overview hasn't given her a good idea of an assessment.
Taylor: Do we have a handle on storm water run off in town? Lily pads don't grow in deep
ponds.
P. Hughes: the recommendations in the ponds study was to look more closely at the storm
water run off. CDM has only provided locations of storm drains. Bob Bersin is apparently
working on this storm water report.
Taylor: Looking at 2 of the maps provided. The bogs shown appear to be all working bogs.
However, there are a number of bogs that show up but are closed (i.e. bog on Slough Road
that the Town owns but isn't operating anymore). Figure 9 the impervious buffer of 300 feet
- it shows that there is a 300 foot buffer but that is only for new title 5 systems. There are
many pre-existing bogs that are within 300 feet - so we aren't protecting those ponds.
P. Hughes to Taylor: Do you have any recommendations on what needs to go into a
narrative?
Would a synthesis be helpful? Do you have a good overview?
Taylor: Some of the specifics are missing -not just pulling off the GIS. Is there information
that needs to be included (i.e. the Consodine ditch report -there are culverts along the way
and it is going in these other areas - is that contributing to the loss of eel grass?)
07-26-10 www.TOWN.I3RE'WSTER.MA.US Page 3 of7
J. Johnson: has learned a tremendous amount -these spreadsheets are helpful and she
isn't sure what the next steps should be but there is a lot of information that needs to be
relayed to the citizens. When she was working on the pond reports -she kept hearing that
they couldn't do anything for the bogs but glad to hear that CDM raises this as a whole issue
as well. She can't wait for the summary to see what they come up with as the major issues.
Skidmore: agreed that the work is good but can't tell what it is? Take several steps back,
we are paying CDM to deliver on the contract -but hasn't seen all the deliverables that are
suppose to be done.
Bennett: Isn't CDM suppose to provide benchmark reports?
Leven: It was her understanding that they chose to go forward on developing the written
report. Also, when a company puts together a proposal they have to make assumptions on
what the town has and what is missing. There are some areas of information that may be
missing and should be brought to the Town's attention.
P. Hughes: agreed, but perhaps it should be disclosed as we go along with what
information is missing. She felt CDM had compiled a great amount of data in particular they
provided a spreadsheet that highlighted areas in town that might have a high level of
impervious and poor soils....should we look further in these areas to start to give us a
picture of what is going on in Town. Take a closer look at this area or that area. It needs to
be integrated in to a summary that shows where we stand and where we are going.
Taylor: the underground tanks needs to be incorporated
Ice. That information is at the county level and is known.
Bennett: we need more data to make recommendations and to make conclusions -this
idea that we can't render an opinion until we get all this data is difficult to understand. We
know what is going on here and we don't need to integrate the water usage records to see
that. You can look at the zoning maps and see where all the houses are -stump dumps
and the golf course are sources of contribution. A lot of that land is land locked. Are there
new regulations that are going to change in these areas?
P. Hughes: these facilities aren't mentioned in the draft reports.
Bennett: CDM needs to work off the data that they have and move forward on what they
have. We don't need to delay the recommendations it is our job to stay on top of this and it
is our job is to tell CDM to move to the recommendations and provide the answers based on
the data they have.
Skidmore: If there are assumptions they are working off of then need to tell us that.
Leven: Are we at a point to say to CDM stop now and tell them that they need to put up or
leave? This is the contract and if they can't deliver then ...
P. Hughes: No, no that is not what they have been saying. There is data here that can be
used.
07-26-10 www.TOWN.E3REWSTER.MA.LJS Page 4 of 7
N. Ice left at 5:30 pm.
Bennett: we are ready for their recommendations...the committee then reviews and can
refine the recommendations based on the committee's knowledge. We are ready for their
summary and conclusions -have them tell us where they are going.
Peter Johnson: he hears some concern about where the committee is at this point. He felt
that there have been differences between the contract and what is being delivered. The
contract is what the consultant needs to deliver and that is what the committee has been
charged to do. In his view, this is a huge task and other towns it is taking years to complete
so would not want to rush getting a summary based on assumptions.
J. Johnson: Would like to hear P.Hughes' concern about the impervious issue that she
raised earlier. The narrative outlines some of the issues.
P.Hughes: would like to take the watersheds with impervious areas of greater than 10% and
the impact of that on those watersheds. This could be a storm water area that we need to
pay attention to. Is there an area that has poor soils and how might that impact stormwater
management decisions there?
Peter Johnson: where are we on the contract?
Leven: Doesn't like the tone of the meeting now -can we just say CDM hasn't delivered on
the contract and discuss that further at the next meeting.
P. Hughes: Doesn't want to jump forward just to jump forward. Would rather understand all
the information and rather be late than move on with not all the right information.
Skidmore: sorry about his tone but he still doesn't know where they are on the contract.
P. Hughes: they did give us an update on the timeline
J. Hughes; agreed with Sue and echoed what Pat and Dave said. She has a concern about
Zone 2 and what is going on over there. Zone 2 is moderate to high risk. But there are
areas that have been sand mined and no vegetation in those areas. Her mind boggles at
the whole project. She can't say if they are where they need to be but she can't wait to see
when it gets done.
P. Hughes: the question she has is: what do we want, what do we need, given all this
data? Do we need more analysis, more integration and discussion in the narrative? There
is a lot of really interesting information here ... Do we need further discussion? She would
like to see: this is the current situation, the discussion and then the factors will help us to
get to the scoring system and the next step. Then she would believe the CWPC would be
abetter place to start them down the road. CDM is helping us, they are doing a lot of the
work but they need input from Brewster.
Miller: we spent a lot of time spelling out what we need and what we want in the RFP. If
CDM followed the RFP then we would be able to understand where we are.
Skidmore: look at the chart and tell us where we are.
07-26-10 ~ www.TOWN.I3REWSTER.MA.US
Page 5 of 7
Schell: another storm water health issue: the Consodine ditch area and the
relatively flat area -Lower Road and Rte 6A (Paines Creek). Not man inche her area is
close that down -the leaching fields can be contaminated relatively u ckl s of rain to
q y
Leven:. the town is addressing the Lower Rd. area now.
J. Hughes: On the land use table: J. Lipman had made a r
DCPC column ...has that occurred? She questioned some of the data becato eliminate the
that all of the Zone II is in the DCPC. The spreadsheet, for example, shows use we know
acres in the Zone II, then lists only 74 acres in the DCPC.... are the numbers slp h d with 75
to some of these inaccuracies. g tly off due
Taylor: mentioned that some of the ponds listed at not in Brewster but that
difference. may be
P. Hughes: she thought that John's comment was related to the actual color
table. Pat wondered if on Aug. 9th we are going to take the tasks listed on th included on the
in the contract and determine a status. a timeline and
Leven: Was considering asking just Dave Young to come to discuss the stat
9th. us on the Aug.
P. Hughes: will we be able to hold the community meeting on September 11 if
for Dave to attend? Leven, felt we were still on. If people have specific issues we dust ask
reports, please follow up with Sue. It is helpful for the consultant to have as muchhe draft
information ahead of the meeting.
P. Hughes: Any information or requirements from the committee regardin the nex
Community Meeting presentation. The only request from the committee was to rect '
copy of the presentation at least one week in advance. eive a
The next meeting with CDM was scheduled for August 9, 2010
B. Part-time Resident Association Meeting
Peter Johnson: If there is anything the committee would like to have the Trust involved i
the meeting please let him know. He would help in any wa n for
would be at the meeting -August 14 at 10 am if anyone elsepwouldl like to be these the t ahe
welcome. She also spoke with Charlie Sumner and he is asking the Association abouty
bringing up the water planning information at the meeting.
Other Business:
Review Meeting Minutes: May 10, May 24 and June 28, 2010
May 10, 2010: Bennett: motioned to a
Johnson. Vote: 6-0-1 (abstain: Skidmore) prove as written. Seconded by
May 24, 2010 Bennett: motioned to approve as written. Seconded by J.
Hughes. Vote: 5-0-2 (abstain: Johnson, Skidmore)
07-26-1o www.TOWN.BREWST'ER.MA.I1S
Page 6 of 7
June 28, 2010 Skidmore:
Usowski. Vote: 5-0-1 motioned to approve as written. Seconded by q,
(abstain: P. Hughes)
Other comments:
Schell: the data on nitrogen in private wells -should be
confidence in the approach is correct. obtained -need this data to give you
Leven: noted that the letter for Sheep Pond has been fo
review by the BOS. rwarded to the Town Administrator for
Spade: would like to see a copy of CDM's contract; Leve
tomorrow. n agreed to share it with her
Bennett: Motion to adjourn. Seconded by J. Johnson V
ote: All Aye.
J nne ci, Senio Department Assistant
07-26-] 0
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