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HomeMy Public PortalAboutComprehensive Water Planning -- 2010-08-23 Minutes` \ \\~~~~~\\ \ \ \ \ ~ 1 u u u u ~ I I - u r r u ~ u ~ ~ ~///i ~RE,wST~~/iii ' ,~ ~~ u N9~ y t y 1 ~ y '~ ° - `~G1 //{////f ~FCORPOPAZ E~~~~~\`\` ///// ////~~„/ 1 I I I I I l I I I I t I 1 l 1 1 1 1\ 1\\\\~ ~~ ~\\ Town Of Brewster Comprehensive Water 2198 Main Street Planning Committee Brewster, Massachusetts 02631-1898 (508) 896-3701 ext. ]33 FAX (508) 896-8089 Date Approved: October 25, 2010 TOWN OF BREWSTER MINUTES OF COMPREHENSIVE WATER PLANNING COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING Monday, August 23, 2010 at 4:30 P.M. Brewster Town Office Building (>~ -_ .-. .. -.- -.i!".i 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, and Elizabeth Taylor and Dave Bennett. Absent: John Lipman Also Present: Sue Leven, Jim Gallagher, Nancy Ice, Chris Miller. Bob Bersin arrived at 5:10. CDM representatives: David Young, Bernadette Kolb, Rob Musci and Mary Barry AGENDA A. Reorganization Hughes: noted that they have been a committee for a year and it has been over a year now and time to revisit. She noted that her term as chair is up and was looking to see if there were any new recommendations. A brief discussion regarding each position (Chairman, Vice Chair and Clerk) occurred. Chair: Joanne Hughes motioned to keep Pat Hughes as the chair. Bennett would agree with everyone else but wanted to see if there was anyone else that would like to be considered for the position. No comments. Bennett: nominated Pat Hughes for Chair. Seconded by Taylor. P. Hughes appreciated the confidence and would be willing to serve as chair for just one more year. Vote: all Aye. Vice-Chair: Several members mentioned they were currently involved with other committees was looking for someone newer to speak up. Usowski noted she was struggling to keep up with all the information and keeping up with the meetings. Bennett noted that business is tough and needs to continue to work in this field and doesn't want any conflict of interest. He needs to keep his business in line. Bennett nominated Skidmore as Vice-Chair. Seconded by J. Hughes. Vote: All Aye. Clerk: P. Hughes would like to see Bennett continue as clerk. Bennett agreed as long as he didn't have to physically take the notes. Taylor nominated Bennett as clerk. Seconded by J. Hughes. Vote: All Aye. 08-23-t0 www.TOWN.BREWSTER.MA.US Page 1 of7 B. Citizen's Forum: Dennis Dillon, citizen off of Slough Road. Would like to understand what this committee is all about. P. Hughes provided an overview of the committee. Sandy Zevon a citizen from the Elbow Pond area; attended the last meeting and encouraged Dennis Dillon to attend this meeting because he had a closer knowledge of what is going on at Elbow Pond and the adjacent bog. Dillon: His parents have been property owners since 1984. The property is 2 tenths of a mile from Elbow Pond. He is an avid swimmer has been swimming in the pond and has noticed a big change in the last 5 years. He has observed that 20 years ago you could see to the bottom and there were no lily pads, now lily pads are taking over 30% of the pond and the vegetation has significantly increased. He recognizes that the cranberry bog owners have some protection but what about the water quality. The bog is watered at strange times from 4 -7 in the morning or on the weekends - seems like a strange time for watering. P. Hughes: does Elbow Pond have an association? No -have you talked to the Bog owners? No Dillon: they have a group that gets together but it primarily has talked about the roads and not the pond. But he is very concerned about the health issues with the water because he swims in it frequently. He noticed 30 bags of nitrogen phosphate along edge and then thought it gone which lead him to believe it was distributed by air by a helicopter a month or so ago. He doesn't know what is actually going on at the bog and he hasn't talked to the owner but was he very concerned. M. Zevon: She has lived on the pond for 38 years. Last year there was a dramatic growth of the lily pads - it is very dense. The growth of the lily pads is all near the bogs and she is very concerned. Dillon: The vegetation really has taken over - He put a mask on and went down and it is not clear. It is really thick underwater. J. Hughes: The committee is aware of this issue and the consultants are going to be addressing. Would like to see us move on and hear from our consultants. Zevon: spoke to someone at the EPA last week and would like to suggest that someone from the committee also contact the EPA to get involved and see what can be done. Bennett: It is on our radar -they have discussed talking to the agricultural commission and it is going to be addressed. The committee will be prioritizing and making recommendations. Jane Johnson: Noted that Elbow Pond has not had water sampling and would suggest that if they were available to gather this information then it would be great to have the data. Please talk to Chris Miller, the natural resources manager for the scheduling. C. Meeting with CDM - Young would like to discuss the following: 1. Any more comments on the first 5 sections? The comments they have received are being addressed. 2. Would like to talk about sections 6 &7 3. Outline for the community meeting presentation. P. Hughes: would like to discuss Sections 1-5 and then the Community Meeting -Hold on 6-7 until they have had more time to digest. Section 1: Organization 08-23-10 www. TO WN. B RE W STER. MA. U S Page 2 of 7 Section 2: Groundwater Section 3: Estuary Section 4: Pond Section 5: Coastal Section 6: the Needs Section 7: The recommendations P. Hughes: doesn't think we need to go through page by page on the comments but if anyone has further comments please provide. Taylor: The report includes 8 public beaches -does that not include Wings Island and Spruce Hill? Ice: going with what the natural resources report as public beach -those 2 areas are not considered swimming ponds and therefore not public beaches. Taylor -the 3rd golf course was added? Yes; on page 113 just a comment on the predators - there are more herons than egrets. Jane Johnson: On section 1 -the definition of undeveloped property versus open space are we clear on that? Leven: the issue is town owned property -protected land vs. non protected (i.e. Nickerson State Park, Conservation Trust, Conservation Commission, Golf Course, Watershed). Taylor: only the most recent purchases are protected. The selectmen have control of the other land. Hughes: we need to include aclarifier -the potential area could be developed but they are not planning it now. If it is owned by the town then it could be considered to be developed?? Taylor: what exactly do we want to show here? There are CR's out that are not included here... Mark Robinson can get you that information. Joanne Hughes: it would be nice to show land that is protected. Bennett: if we have 25% reduction...then we need to understand that does not include build out. Did Orleans consider Eldredge Field? Could the golf course become housing? Don't think so but we need to know in our conversations with our neighbors. Need to be definitive about land and whether it could be built on or not even those areas are likely never to be developed. Leven: a build out needs to be done but that is in the recommendations. The Sea Camps would be considered as a buildable land. Also in the recommendations section we know we need to tie in our water records with the Health Dept. That information would be valuable. Bennett: if 25% of the land is undeveloped -doesn't that show we have a lot of vacant land. Leven: we have a lot of open space -surprised that some open space parcels are not included in the tally. P. Hughes: Open space determination including the CR's would be beneficial. The next step is a full build-out analysis. Bennett: Wanted to be clear on what/how the information has been calculated and what was the additional significance of this information. os-23-1o www.TOWN.BREWSTER.MA.US Page 3 of7 Young: the MEP analysis is an existing analysis and that is what is included in this report. Bennett: Only 2 comments on Section 1: the SMast and the MEP reports are the driver and what is required of the Town. This adds some strength to the reasons for expense and will help us with our relationship with the neighbors. Kolb: there was a comment about how many farms are in town? Where can they get that information? Bennett: is that really important? Jane Johnson: noted that a section of the report talks about the history of farms and wanted to know if we have regulations. Bennett: Doesn't that information really just help to develop the demographics and is that just adding color to the report? The report does not need to paint the tapestry of the town but we need to know that the taxpayers are going to pay a significant amount of money and why. Felt we should focus on the requirements given to us by the state and the reason we need to address and spend money on this issue. How many gravel pits are in Zone 2? Would like to have that identified. Young: In their recommendations for the next phase -they would like to perform an analysis of conforming uses in the Zone 2 and the preexisting businesses that are nonconforming. Bennett: We took the criteria of a 200 SF building as a habitable space -was there anyway to determine summer/year round residence. How did Orleans estimate out flow? Leven: badly, thought it was from their water use data and applied it to our parcels. Bennett: Do you think 2.4 people live in a 200 SF box? Young: they used that value as an annual basis. Bennett: would it be worth validating that information. A lot is being driven on estimated loads and when we get into certain areas we are going to find that people are not on town water. P. Hughes: other comments on Section 2? Skidmore: the comment he made is that there is a bibliography of data on what you looked at and would like to know the results and what CDM has learned. N. Ice left at 5:45 pm. Bennett: comments were related to the gravel pits -and the relationship/clarification of the pits to the Pleasant Bay water shed. Young: will check back on the number of buildings in town that are habitable. Bennett: the flood zone and why was it discussed? Young: there is an area that mentions the flood zone. Section 3-9 addresses the zone. Skidmore: General comment on Section 3 -would like to see the results highlighted more and that the report is clear to show that this is where they go based on the data. 08-23-10 www.TOWN.BREWSTER.MA.US Page 4 of7 Jane Johnson: Section 3-5 the impervious surface areas. Are there suggestions on ways to reduce the impervious surface that could that be included in the report? Young: would include examples. Taylor: where do the plumes show up? Young: it would be included in the Comprehensive section. Bennett: the criteria noted that any industrial use property in the water shed was highlighted and that area had a higher score. He didn't see in the criteria where it is listed. Kolb, pointed out where it was noted. Where the small parcels are is that impacting the water quality? Kolb: could potentially be a problem. Bennett: Would really like to know the number of small lots because not everything is even in the watersheds. The number of small lots is important. P. Hughes: Estuaries -Comments? Taylor: 4-3 "the regulator noted", Taylor was concerned about the concept presented. Was CDM trying to say that Brewster has this as an asset and it is part of the discussion that needs to be put on the table? Kolb: nitrogen trading is a concept that is being accepted across the country. Bennett: agreed with Kolb and would hate to take this trading concept off the table if it would benefit Brewster at some point. Young: would clarify to ensure the point is clearly written. Bennett: Did Orleans calculate a percentage on Harwich? Young: no, he has a call in to Ed Eichner. Bennett: Chatham and Harwich need to be included in Pleasant Bay because they contribute. P. Hughes: Due to the time -how would the committee like to proceed? Joanne Hughes: would like to discuss the Community Meeting because this is the only meeting they have before that. Leven: would like to have comments in writing - it is extremely important. P. Hughes: Let's talk about the Community Meeting. Young: a Draft outline was presented and distributed. Skidmore: would like to discuss recommendations but doesn't feel the committee has had a chance to review and discuss. Bennett: the recommendations are going to be included -concerned that the committee hasn't reviewed. Sewer certain areas or treatment plants in areas are noted but not sure if that should be said at this point. Kolb: doesn't say one thing or another just a list of types of solutions. Bennett: Why is Harwich not considered in the regional report? 08-23-1o www.TOWN.BREWSTER.MA.US Page 5 of7 Leven: the regional report was based on the tri-town and Harwich is not included in the tri-town. Bennett: All 4 towns are in the MEP report. Kolb: yes -the 4 towns are included but the state doesn't break it down by each town's responsibility. Joanne Hughes: will any recommendations change based on the committees comments? Young: the state reports say 40-50% reduction for the 2 regulated watersheds -you can't live with onsite title 5 systems in those areas any build-out will require reduction of some sort. A lengthy discussion regarding recommendations noted and what would be presented at the community meeting. Need to be cautious about how finite you are going to make the recommendations. Young: a theme statement for the meeting is this information is tentative and they welcome public input. Skidmore: perhaps shouldn't be specific? Joanne Hughes: thinks recommendations should be included and thrown out to the citizens. Kolb: would like help with determining the ponds that have public access- also would like to know what public access is defined as. P. Hughes: concerned that all the recommendations are not mentioned. Young: would recommend that the presentation not run over 45 minutes. Jane Johnson: It is important that pond associations need to gather together and form a collation. P. Hughes: Let's have a copy of the list of the associations on file and include at the meeting and see if they can get updated information. Leven: on the sign-in list can we include the question if a person lives on a pond -and the name of the association. Taylor: would like to know when they can expect to see a draft of the presentation? Young: the end of next week. Taylor: we need to meet to review prior to the 11th... is there a date possible given that the next regular meeting is on Labor Day -when can we meet? Jane Johnson: likes the recommendations and felt that we should gloss over them it is important to the public to hear this information. Skidmore: thinks it could be difficult to present all this information within a 45 minute timeframe. Leven: the important fact is that you are giving the people a broad picture of what/where the committee is at. Young: Will get the presentation done and back to Sue 08-23-10 www.TOWN.BREWSTER.MA.US Page 6 of7 P. Hughes: can we meet from 6-7pm on September 7th? Yes just the committee will meet. Kolb: in Section 6 & 7 we only recommend ground water needs in terms of TMDLS and we don't go forward with any further study. It would be helpful to have some direction and input from the committee. The Board of health data would be helpful. Bennett: when the TMDLs for the Herring River come out then aren't we going to have new issues there? Musci: yes -because there are areas in Brewster that touch and will have regulations tied to them. Bennett: some of the maps are concerning -because people will look at them and think they are off the hook, but that might not be the case. Kolb: the Brewster Ponds report focused on the impaired ponds and when she did her analysis she blended the good ponds with the impaired ponds and the results are slightly different. She wants to focus on ways to keep these ponds in good condition. Taylor: a major contributing factor is septic systems and wetlands -just because you sewer an area it doesn't mean that the expansion can continue. Young: towns address that with bylaws that say if you couldn't build on a property with a title 5 than you can't build on it now (sewer). Joanne Hughes: can you add a dollar value to any of the recommendations? Young: ideally, he would like to include but at this point it is too early. Other Business: - Review Meeting Minutes: July 12 and July 26, 2010 July 12, 2010: J. Hughes motioned to approve the minutes with modifications. Seconded by Jane Johnson. Vote: 5-0-2 (abstained Bennett, Usowski) July 26, 2010: Bennett motioned to approve the minutes with modifications. Seconded by Joanne Hughes. Vote: All Aye. J. Hughes: Motioned to adjourn at 7:25pm. Seconded by Johnson. Vote: All Aye. ectfully bmitted, ave ne J ann Sci, Sr. Department Assistant 08-23-]0 www.TOWN.BREWSTER.MA.US Page 7 of 7