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HomeMy Public PortalAboutComprehensive Water Planning -- 2010-11-08 Minutes \\\\\\\\\UiIIfI /11/Ill//// �ALDWaii Comprehensive Water o .%* F` � �� Town of Brewster Planning Committee A;e � I rIJ fi n= 2198 Main Street 0 3 l+''+Tu1i�s'_';_ E — Brewster, Massachusetts 02631-1898 (508) 896-3701 x133 CORP=N p s Bo, FAX (508) 896-8089 Date Approved: 01/24/1, 7-0-0 TOWN OF BREWSTER MINUTES OF COMPREHENSIVE WATER PLANNING COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING Monday, November 8, 2010 at 4:30 pm Brewster Town Office Building Pat Hughes convened the Comprehensive Water Planning Committee meeting at 4:33 pm in the Brewster Town Office Building with members, Elizabeth Taylor, Lem Skidmore, Dave Bennett, Russell Schell, Joanne Hughes and Amy Usowski. Absent: Jane Johnson, John Lipman Also Present: Sue Leven, Jim Gallagher, Chris Miller, Ed Lewis Recording or Taping Notification "As required by the Open Meeting Law we are informing you that the Town will be audio taping this public meeting. In addition, if anyone else intends to either video or audio tape this meeting they are required to inform the chair." Citizen Forum Eastham Water Management Committee Member: Shared comments from the Chair of the committee. Charles Harris: We are waiting for reports on Nauset Marsh and Town Cove. The Board of Selectman is handling the Tri Town discussions. The work done so far on Rock Harbor --first report indicated we need to reduce nitrogen 79.9%. A big figure makes you stop and pause a bit. Hughes, P: DEP met with you and opened up the opportunity to redo Rock Harbor? Harris: Yes, Brian Dudley pointed out DEP has wastewater responsibilities and water responsibilities and natural resource responsibilities. We have to encourage you to do the best you can on all of these. Hughes, P: Welcome. We don't have our final needs assessment plan yet. We will be talking about important next steps. Bennett: Bridging projects on the agenda: To gather existing water quality from private wells. Eastham did a wonderful job with this. (Contour maps) Can you tell us where that information came from and how the town gathered information? Free analysis? Cost? Barnstable County Lab. Harris: I have only been involved with the group for a year. AmeriCorps person worked closely with Sanitarian. She did the leg work to get the samples. We had an arrangement with an institution on the CWPC 11-08-10.doc Minutes 1 Cape? Jane Crowley would know. AmeriCorps connected with the Cape Cod Commission. She received IT help from them. They helped her do the mapping. Usowski: I was one of the volunteers who did the project. 50-60 wells. 10 yr. study of the same houses. Also there is a program in Eastham that is a 3 year program. A third of the town is tested free of charge each year. I don't know who is paying for that. I was here for completed year 8 of the 10 year study. I can get the final information if you want it. Skidmore: A third of the town each year started in 2006. Barnstable County Lab did the analysis. The town funded it. I don't know if it is ongoing? Usowski: It is ongoing. Free of charge. I will talk to Jay to get some additional information. Skidmore: Mapping? Bennett: Negotiations for Tri Town plan are not in. What feedback are you getting relative to those negotiations? Harris: Sandy has not told the rest of the committee. I have only been involved for one year. Sandy is comfortable with what the board is doing at this point. We are starting to test public water wells. Also 3 big fresh water ponds. Fresh water is deteroriating quite a bit. There is quite a bit of work for the committee to do. The board of selectman may need to get involved. More strategic type of thinking is being done now. Schell: Question. A recent article about Rock Harbor—Suggested the DEP was having second thoughts about it b/c Headwater Pond had more salt water in it. Is that correct? Harris: Brian Dudley said the exact same thing to our BOS. The new information was that Cedar Pond is more brackish than what they thought. It would change the input data on the model that they have run. When new information comes in, does it make a difference? He is saying that it could make a difference. Schell: Does DEP have a commitment to modify its previous report before Eastham is expected to take action? Hughes, P: I read the same article. The taxpayers may insist on this before funding. Re-run the model. Harris: We expect to get a similar report on Nauset Marsh and Town Cove. There are three reports coming from state staff. I don't know from what Brian said that anyone of them have a priority. They are important documents that are coming to the town. Lewis: Dave -Why the question on tri town? Bennett: I am trying to get a feeling for the Orleans position on centralized or alternative treatment, relative to involving negotiation with abutting towns. Status of discussions with Orleans satisfying waste water treatment needs? The Rock Harbor section. There was an article written from the Brewster Selectman's point of view. I am trying to see how far along the discussions are going with Eastham and Orleans. Lewis: The meeting was called by Eastham. They are looking to shut it down 2013 (Orleans) They are looking for Brewster to pay for it. It is in the hands of the BOS, because of the monetary factor. They have to build on the same footprint. They have to tear one down to build another. It won't be able to handle septic. Brewster does not benefit from that. Or Eastham. Waste water wasn't really discussed. CWPC 11-08-10.doc Minutes 2 Bennett: Our consultant is now talking about a nitrogen credit negotiation between the towns. Any update between the towns working for a regional facility? Lewis: I have not heard anything more about it. The waters have been muddied recently. Not sure when they are going to town meeting for money to start the process. NAS. Leven: The Orleans process does not reach the point where TMDL's come into play until the third phase. They may go ahead with the first two phases. Jay may go ahead with funding for treatment center now. IWRMP "Bridge" Steps 1) Obtain water use records and format to upload to GIS 2) Obtain septic records (location? Pumping?) and format to upload to GIS 3) Locate storm water outfall — both catch basins and runoff without catch basins? — and format to upload to GIS. 4) Locate all non-conforming uses (and structures?) in Brewster. May modify and start with non- conforming uses in DCPC areas. 5) Add to GIS: a. Water use b. Storm drain outfall c. Strom water outfall d. Septic pumping records e. Non-conforming uses 6) Conduct a build out of Brewster, with "real life" option, meaning the absolute build out vs. the likely build out. Hughes, J: Dave Bennett sent additions to the list. Chris summarized for us the next steps for the pond study. Leven: Nancy Ice forwarded the list to Kathy Lambert. Kathy would like to be involved in the process. She could not make tonight's meeting. Skidmore: "Add to" or"upload" to GIS? Leven: Create data layers. Put information in a format to create layers. Skidmore: We are really saying anything put in a spreadsheet can be joined to GIS data. Have the data and standardize it in a format that can be joined to specific GIS layers. Leven & Skidmore discussed options. Database, uploads, spreadsheets, terminology and process, etc. Hughes, P: We want to link or integrate water use records with our parcel database. It allows us to map. Schell: What would the layer look like? Shading? Take assessment maps and water data from the water department and write on each parcel the usage. Skidmore & Leven & Hughes, P: Shared example. What areas in town use the most water, 10k is a color. Query the database and display it the way you want to see it. A discussion followed regarding the process and the output. CWPC 11-08-10.doc Minutes 3 Leven: There are specific keys in spreadsheet and the map. You find those points and you connect them. It is the ability to represent the information graphically. Skidmore: Commented on graphics, etc.? Schell: Who owns the task? Hughes, P: We have not determined who would help with this. Outside consultants are possible. DPW hires someone. Skidmore: How do we get the data available? Then we can decide what to do with it. Hughes, P: Orleans said how critical this was to water use records linked to the parcel database Bennett: What are you going to do with the water use records? Be careful how you handle this information. Water use records in order to estimate nitrogen reduction.... He shared an example. You want to have water use records in order to estimate nitrogen loads. Hughes, J: We have set amount of money. Prioritize Sue's list. Leven: Keep in a mind that at a certain point other departments should put in funding as well. Bennett: Pond study included? Leven: $200k in the budget. $100 — 110k (Kelly left to make copies of the list) Hughes, P: #1 on the list. Agree it is important? Hughes, J: Yes. Find out where are private wells are located. Skidmore: We know where 471 private wells are located, but not in the GIS. Bennett: Storm water(DPW), Water Records (Water dept.), etc. How much should they share of the costs? (For example, 25% or 50% of the cost. Any guidance?) Leven: Probably half. DPW is going to have to do this work anyway. Hughes, J: Can you ask them for an estimate? Leven: For example: Storm water—They are going to have to do this anyway because of state requirements. Hughes, P: Scope of work from the department of public works. (Also for the water dept.) Skidmore: #'s 1, 2, 3, 5— Different aspects of the same thing. One statement would be preferred. Hughes, P: Obtaining, integrating records... Skidmore: Identify, develop and or acquire data and standardize the data, make it usable by and available to a GIS system. Usowski: 5th one takes 1, 2, and 3 into account. CWPC 11-08-10.doc Minutes 4 Hughes, J: We have to keep them separate for each departments. Leven: Originally one statement and then broke them out as specific A group discussion continued re: the list and clarification of the steps. Lewis: Question about goals. TMDL's Hughes, P: To have a much better picture of water use, estimate waste water loads, know where our storm water discharges are and possible treatments. Hughes, J: To have a better idea as to what is going into a pond. (i.e. Impacted pond) Lewis: Sharing costs with other departments. Explained going for extra funds (Town meeting.) When you start asking DPW or other departments to fund it, it might get dropped off the list. The septic data is there correct?What is your target? Phase II — Next fiscal year. Hughes, J: Point well taken. Lewis: When are you going to do this?What can you include in Phase II? Hughes, J: Some of these other departments have resources. (Grants, Interns, AmeriCorps.) #2 is on Nancy's list for the year. (BOH) Hughes, P: There are grants that are appropriate. Consider Ed's points. Taylor: What kind of overlap on 5B and 5C? DPW has to do a lot of work with this. Will we help fund them? Leven: Storm drain —goes into catch basin, and where does it go? Storm water—goes down a road and possibly into a pond? Or a beach? Controlled water vs. water that needs to be controlled. A federal grant available? Miller: Storm water is huge for Federal EPA, State DEP; There are Storm water grants out there. Come up with our needs, then go to DPW and see how it can be combined. Part of it is to have someone champion it from this committee. Bennett: Two biggest things on the table —Storm water and storm drain outfall. (#5) A subset of water quality monitoring to continue in the ponds. Value of septic records? This changes quickly. It is dynamic. What purpose? Value of non conforming uses? Hughes, P: Who wants to address septic records? Hughes, J: What would this tell us? Leven: Be able to look at correlation between water use and condition of septic system. How many times being pumped? Establish a red flag? (BOH)Click on a lot and see when the last time it was pumped. Hughes, J and Leven— General discussion... Bennett: It will be nightmare keeping that up to date. Where are the cesspools in this town? OR Where are the 10k treatment facilities in this town? Pumping records? CWPC 11-08-10.doc Minutes 5 Leven: When I call someone to pump my septic system. That information goes from the hauler to? Lewis: Supposed to go to BOH. It doesn't matter where they take it. Hughes, P: BOH records. We recognized that the records need to be computerized. What is the benefit in the long run? Hughes, J: Data has to be entered in order for a flag to be seen. Skidmore: Queries should be run on the data. Availability. In Brewster, show me how many systems have not been pumped in_years. It is only on Tammi's computer. Leven: BOH information is in Geotemps? Then it could go to GIS. Hughes, J: Nancy is trying to do this. Hughes, P: Is first step getting the BOH records computerized. Timing, funding? Leven: Matching to the parcel database? The parcel ID can probably easily... Discussion of value, timing? Hughes, J: Paper records now. Searchable records would be helpful. Bennett: For which purpose? Lewis: Get Kathy Lambert in to find out what is available now. The BOH and the Building department need to be computerized. All this information can be very valuable when looking at water quality information. Are septic systems causing problems for ponds? I have grave doubts as to what we can do with the information now. Hughes, P: Find out some of these points further. How would we use this information?What are we looking for and how do we use the information? A question was asked by someone in the audience -Are you required to pump every so often? Bennett: Yes, When we were part of the tri town plan. Pumping records. How often, etc. Bennett: A septic system in a seasonal use will not be pumped every 5 years. We only have so much money. Let's look at what other towns have done. (Nitrogen loading per unit lot.) OR#of bedrooms from BOH, irrigation use. How accurate do you want the records? Prioritize the value of the information? More information is not necessarily good. Hughes, P: Topic: BOH Records — Lem and Joanne will assist Sue with board of health records process. Storm drains outfall information? Mapping drain system? Network? Leven: We know where the water goes in. Piped somewhere? Some of it may be easily addressed by the DPW. Bennett: Explained process. Someone has to open them up and see if it is leaching catch basin or going somewhere else, and/or add dye and track the water. You can go to each beach and see where there is a formal drainage system at the end? CWPC II-08-10.doc Minutes Hughes, P: CDM indicated there are some storm drain network is on these maps? Leven: They have points identified. We can ask Bob what work has been done (Bob, DPW) Bennett: Identify areas that need more money than beyond our budget. Hughes, P: Phasing. Identify the major ponds as first project... Lewis: The state has dictated what we should do with storm water runoff?Are they funding? Miller: There are grants. They are not giving towns money. Lewis: Do we have records of when these were put in. DPW? Leven: I have 4 or 5 sets of photographs of beaches and ponds with storm water runoff. A PRIORITY: Bennett: Motion to provide funding for storm drain outfall and storm water outfall investigations to be directed through this committee utilizing DPW and Natural Resources based on a scope of work provided by Sue Leven, including highway culverts. Hughes, J: Second All Aye Usowski: Has DPW asked for funding?Ask Bob Bersin. Miller: It is ongoing but not fully funded. It will happen sooner than later. Bennett: 300 to 400 man hours. ($15K) Grant writer... Motion, under discussion by committee. Motion amended. Lewis: Would it make sense to get top 3 and get actual $from each departments? Hughes, P: Agree. Set priorities. What does the work really look like? Costs? Leven: Ed has a point. Let's look at priorities, what we need for$, Get actual numbers and tasks. Hughes, P: Take out dollar amount from motion. Bennett: Take out dollar amount from motion... Ed Lewis left. Leven: Look at top priorities. Hughes, P: Scope of work. Allocate funds later. Pick priorities first. Bennett: What is the value of non conforming uses to water quality in Brewster? "Locate all non-conforming uses (and structures?) in Brewster. May modify and start with non- conforming uses in DCPC areas" Hughes, P: Question about build out analysis. CWPC 11-08-10.doc Minutes 7 Leven: discussion about Underpass Rd. Build Out. Examples. Residential zone and it is a commercial use. Taylor: How do you get this information? Leven: State class codes, if correct. i.e. Underpass Road. Some informal discussion occurred. Hughes, P: A good build out is necessary. There has been a lot of change. Hughes, P: Non conforming uses now or build out? Leven: Do the build out. Non conforming uses will be done. Schell: One way to identify septic tank problems is to swipes of whitening agents and looking at them with a flurometer. Does the health department do this now? Easy way to do a search for failed septic tanks. Leven: The necessity to look at non-conforming uses. Do it in DCPC areas only. Hughes, J: Bridge Steps: Water, Septic, Storm Drains, Build Out. They were recommendations. They are doable because different departments are involved. How to do them? Or? Hughes, P: Identify and discuss the priorities. More discussion required from the BOH. Bennett: Take the data already available and getting into IS system. (septic records, water usage records) Storm water is getting info we don't know. The Pond Study —Top 3, outside of GIS, getting the data. New assessors map first. It should get straightened out. Motion: Pond Program. Water quality Program, real water quality for this town, ground water. Motion GIS —Talk to our GIS person, how much does it cost? Leven: Have Kathy come to the meeting and show us some of what we have already? Bennett: Look at Dennis GIS town overlay. Look at the end product. (Or Wellfleet.) It would take five minutes. Hughes, P: (Scopes of work, not budgets.) Hughes, J: We need to ask the water department what they can deliver in a year. What do they need from us? ($ amount.) DPW, storm drain and culverts. What do you need from us?Ask BOH, DPW Build out. Miller: When do we need this data?A phase coming up. 4 mos. We need to give them direction. No department has excess people to put on these tasks. Hughes, P: I disagree with approach. We voted on storm water work. Leven: 6 month timeframe. Phase II in May, comes available in July. Hughes, P: Contract? (Sometime in January.) Draft material to work with Finance Committee for next town meeting. We would all like to have each of these projects scoped out with more detail and information from the departments with what they can do including timeframe and the costs. CWPC 11-08-10.doc Minutes 8 Once we have that information we would set funding priorities and dollar amounts. Hughes, J: back to her original comment above. In anticipation of the dept. recommendations. Hughes, P: Dave's recommendation on the ground water quality: BOH should handle this?Amy can check with Jane in Eastham (Health Agent) for information. Bennett: Yes, BOH. They can call the Barnstable County Lab and get costs. This is a comprehensive water quality priority. Hughes, J: How important is it to get testing in same time frame? Bennett: Limit on the funding. We need to have someone gather all the information. Identify holes, areas of the town that have no information. Use a free county program. There is scattered information. Hughes, J: Lem - 400 wells we have, can they be put on a grid map? Skidmore: Yes. All I have is street addresses. Map with assessor's database. (Data cleansing issue.) Taylor: Have to show septic on each of the maps. Bennett: In Eastham. They assigned a color for nitrogen concentration for each parcel. If I had wireless access we could see this. It shows where you need to focus on first. Hughes, P: We have existing data on some private wells. Using Eastham as an example we could have a regular program where all private wells are monitored. Bennett: If you rent, do a septic upgrade, or transfer property you are required to test the well. Hughes, J: Gathering the information. Some discussion followed. Skidmore, Hughes, J, Bennett. Bennett: If they use the county lab? Skidmore: BOH has what the county has but on paper. Other labs is in paper too. Hughes, P: First step is to pull data together. (data mining) Bennett: Volunteer worker required to go through the information and assign number to parcel ID. This would be a funding mechanism, through Sue Leven, maybe an employee in the BOH. Hughes, P: I would like to get an initial reaction of the top 2 or 3 priorities in the Pond work? (Further investigation of high quality ponds from CDM.) Not on list. Miller: Now funding PALS (#6) and will continue. As long as sMass funds one half of our sampling. This may dry up. Not in the budget. $3,700 estimated cost. Hughes, P: Do we concentrate on the 6 ponds? Next Meeting — Ponds, Identify priority. Hughes, J: One of the recommendations was to do a study at the same time for all the ponds? 22 or 6? Miller: If we did the additional detailed reviews for other 22 ponds. PALS study is done same time of year. CWPC I1-08-10.doc Minutes 9 Hughes P: All the ponds on the same day? Miller: Related to the aerial images? Hughes, P: Discuss at our next meeting. I believe we want to put some money into the pond study. Bennett: Should we give Chris or someone some guidance to fine tune this?We identify that the continued monitoring of ponds is a important next step. This all together is well more than the money we have available. Chris prioritizes 50 to 75k of direct needs. A scope of work-Thinks 50 to 75k with the pond work. He could consult with the consultant. He could make an informed recommendation to this committee. Budgets for all 4 Miller: I can do this with more direction. I was also looking for direction from the consultant. He has more experience in this area than I do. Bennett: We probably have 50 to 75k left after funding other priorities. Make a motion. Taylor: Can #5 be covered by a grant? Is this stuff we should be applying for right now? Storm water grants. Miller: Yes, hopefully. Some grants are coming up soon. Hughes, J: If I was a devil's advocate sitting in at town meeting. If someone asked for more money to study ponds. I think I would say how about some action? Studying, studying. Etc. Fix the storm drains. We know the impact. I guess I am getting impatient. How much information do you need? Bennett: I am getting inpatient with all the money spent on Long Pond and not knowing if it is working. Hughes, P: Point is well taken. The pond report provides clear direction for the 6 ponds. Miller: Long pond monitoring. Spoke to consultant. 1k can give report. Do we want to do it? Are we at the point to know the data alum treatment? 3 years of data. Hughes, P: Add this to the list? Miller: Not necessary. We are doing so many studies because we don't know the causes. We need data to get credit for what we do. That is important to do this. If the storm water is causing the problems we need to document this. Leven: Private well study. Skidmore: We could send letters to 471 people. The timeframe is too short. Hughes, J: Suggested Nancy send to installed list. BOH put on the web site. Leven sent to the public email list Taylor: I agree if we go for more money for more studies then we have a grant, etc. We have to show something concrete. Hughes, P: We want to know primary sources. Chris's point is important. Taylor: Storm water is an easy thing related to everything else. CWPC II-08-10.doc Minutes 10 Miller: Storm water is easy but not cheap. $75k, Saints Landing example. Hughes, P: Points well taken Schell: #5 on pond list. I am concerned about 5 ponds near cranberry bogs. The problem is how to deal with it? It requires more attention. A potential by-law?At the Cranberry Growers Association session we learned that they have set up the requirements. The town needs to draft by-law to incorporate the work they have already done. Hughes, P: We need to put it on our list. I would exclude it as a priority item. Schell: Why? Hughes, P: We have outstanding questions about other significant contributors. We are looking to develop some better tools with the information we have. More analysis on Loading water use, etc. Schell: This is time to do something. It is an issue that falls into that category of doing something. Leven and Bennett: I do not agree. Leven: Elbow pond example. We can't necessarily point fingers at them. (Agricultural use is protected) Miller: What are the sources? Cranberry bogs? Current study is addressing these too. Hughes, P: Which ponds? Schell: Elbow, Long, Walker's, (2 down stream), one other. Miller: Elbow, Walking, Upper Mill included Schell: Girl Scout Pond is being polluted from adjacent cranberry bog. Hughes, J: We are waiting to hear back from the consultants regarding sources. Hughes, P: Finish up work on the 6 ponds first. It is still important. Hughes, J: Water Quality, Cadmus Report, Chatham This is no way predictive. Miller, Hughes, J: Terminal ponds continuing to decline. Leven: If okay with the committee I would like to talk to Chris and Jim about Hinckley and Seymour Pond outside of this meeting. Minutes: June 28, 2010 Minutes Skidmore: Motion to accept as written Taylor Second All Aye. 6-0-1 Abstain: Pat Hughes September 11, 2010 Minutes, Community Meeting CWPC 11-08-10.doc Minutes 11 • Hughes, J: Motion to accept as corrected Skidmore, Second All Aye. 6-0-1 Abstain: Amy Usowski September 13, 2010 Minutes Taylor: Motion to accept as corrected Hughes, J, Second All Aye 6-0-1 Abstain, Dave Bennett September 20, 2010 Minutes Bennett: Motion to accept as written Hughes, J, Second All Aye Abstain: Lem Skidmore Next meeting: November 22, 2010 at 4:30 pm Bennett: Recent meeting. Chief Modeler for Mass DEP may come to a meeting. Dave will send around his card. Hughes, P: Please send Sue specifics on any priorities (scope of work) we discussed tonight. Bennett: When is CDM going to give us something? Leven: Next couple of weeks. Section 6 and 7 had a lot of comments. Motion to adjourn: Skidmore Hughes, J: Second All Aye Meeting ended 6:50 pm CWPC II-08-10.doc Minutes 12 Action Items: Topic/Owner: Comments: BOH Records —Lem and Joanne will assist Sue with board of health records process. Storm drains outfall information? Mapping drain system? Network? storm drain network Sue can ask Bob (DPW)what work has been done Has DPW asked for funding? Sue can ask Bob Question from Amy Usowski re: provide funding for Bersin storm drain outfall and storm water outfall investigations Dave's recommendation on the ground water Amy Usowski can follow up with Jane. quality: BOH should handle this?Amy can check with Jane in Eastham (Health Agent) for information. For next meeting: Do we concentrate on the 6 For discussion 11/22. Fund pond study. ponds? Next Meeting— Ponds, Identify priority. Continued monitoring of ponds. Prioritize. Respectfully submitted, A lean , =•- D. d'oI nnett, Clerk i29- C\1\ei'‘"4" Kelly Moore Sr. Dept. Assistant/Planning CWPC 11-08-10.doc Minutes 13