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HomeMy Public PortalAboutComprehensive Water Planning -- 2012-03-26 Minutes !( Comprehensive Comprehensive Water Planning Town of Brewster Committee r ,,;ri i 1°- 2198 Main Street � ..— (/' . Brewster, Massachusetts 02631-1898 (508) 896-3701 x1233 iianrniiunmi��"a\ FAX (508) 896-8089 Date Approved:5/14/12 Vote:7-0,Skidmore, O'Reilly abstain TOWN OF BREWSTER MINUTES OF COMPREHENSIVE WATER PLANNING COMMITTEE (CWPC) REGULAR MEETING Monday, March 26, 2012 at 4:30 pm Brewster Town Office Building Vice Chairman Pat Hughes convened the CWPC meeting at 4:40 pm in the Brewster Town Office Building with members Russell Schell, Elizabeth Taylor, Dan Ryan,Joanne Hughes,and Dave Bennett present. Absent:',Lem Skidmore, Bruce Evans Also Present: Sue Leven,Jim Gallagher, Chris Miller fi Recording or Taping Notification The Vice Chair read,"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 audio tape this meeting they are required to inform the chair." AGENDA Supporting Documents: 1.Citizen Forum 032612 A Brochure/HWG 2.Status of Phase II&Build Out-Status of Data Synthesis&GIS,Pond Study 032612 B Brochure/HWG 3.Discuss participation and identify staff for the Lower Cape Expo 4/14/12 Review Updated Public Outreach Materials from HWG 4. Discuss dog waste composting 5. Review minutes from 2/27/12,Review Action Items 6.Topics the Chair did not reasonably anticipate 1.Citizen Forum } Gallagher announced the Herring are running. The committee discussed the recent warm temperatures. 2. Status of Phase II &Build Out–Status of Data Synthesis& GIS, Pond Study Leven provided a status update. She presented a brochure and poster drafts from HWG for the committee to review. The build-out is almost done. GIS training will be this Friday 3/30/12 at Mass Maritime Academy. Data Synthesis is mostly complete. A few inconsistencies with the town's information and assessor's information exist. There is no update regarding the pond study. 3. Disciss participation and identify staff for the Lower Cape Expo 4/14/12, Review Updated Public Outreach Materia s from HWG (see previous) The committee reviewed both the brochure and the poster and offered feedback. Leven will summarize feedback and communicate with HWG. Committee Comments: Leven: Too many words and graphics in the brochure. The 3 maps don't work here. Leven likes the center panel. Taylor: Asked about sea level rise affecting ground water levels. It was discussed further. 4th bullet point in center panel was discussed by the committee Hughes, P: Concerned about the graphic, prefers two instead of three. The group discussed including maps with other towns included. Pros and cons. CWPC 03-26-12.docx (minutes created from an audio recording) Page 1 of 4 The committee discussed further changes to the graphics and text. There was general discussion about the use of colors, maps, quality of graphics, etc. Leven thinks the bottom two maps don't read well. Pleasant Bay Map: The committee discussed the data and use of colors. Hughes, J: She wanted to know where the map came from. It might be old news. Leven asked Ryan for his opinion. Ryan: List ponds instead of graphic He confirmed that the Pleasant Bay map makes sense. Middle map does not seem useful. Sea level rise effects on high groundwater were discussed by the committee. Hughes J was concerned about giving credibility to TMDL's for Brewster by using the Nitrogen Loads to Pleasant Bay graphic. Hughes, P confirmed her concern and suggested we redo the loading estimates at a later time Can say"estimated by Leven suggested using something else. The committee discussed the usefulness of this graphic Bennett Graphics are poor quality. Diagrams are useful images. Language could be better. Font is small. Taylor suggested use of bullets if possible. Leven suggested using a larger text box across two columns like the Staff Review brochure. Leven will rearrange the text boxes to see some other options for the flow of information. Bennett suggested smaller fonts, larger graphics might be helpful. Hughes J suggested removing what causes the impacts. Same as how is your water impacted. Leven suggested improving the cover page. She asked for clarification regarding phosphorus, "ous" is the chemical. Leven summarized the proposed changes to the brochure layout. The committee discussed the order of the panels in the brochure. Ryan suggested the statement of the problem with supporting facts and then a solution. Identify IWRMP. Hughes J agreed and stated that the first page is too wordy. The committee discussed the layout further. There were many opinions regarding the layout, wording, and graphics, etc. They agreed to send Leven any additional comments via email. Schell suggested that a visitor to the expo might be puzzled by the messaging in the brochure. He is concerned about MEP, DAP, sewering, "Regulatory Review" paragraph. He thinks"regulatory review" has negative implications. Leven suggested"local review" Hughes; P asked comments to be sent to Leven by 3/29, 1 pm. Hughes; J asked about the door hanger sample. "Do not disturb your pond" Leven e)Cplained they are working on a door hanger for the expo. Water department materials will also be available for the expo. Bennett; What a citizen can do? He questioned what the town can do regarding rising sea levels. Hughes, P gave several examples. Under local reg. review, "improving septic design requirements to minimize impacts" but we don't say anything about storm water here. There was continued discussion about sea level rise/climate change. The committee reviewed the poster In general, comments: There is too much information Each panel could be a poster Some of the images are effective "protecting your water resource" "why should you be concerned?" CWPC 03-26-12.dooc (minutes created from an audio recording) Page 2 of 4 Too many images Redundant images "everything is connected" They suggested a person drinking a glass of water—more impact The committee discussed several options and suggestions for the consultant. The poster should focus on our water and why people should be concerned about it More information should be in the brochure. Staff for Expo: 4/14/12 Leven will setup at 9:00 am and Bennett will be there to help Bennett will be setting up and will take a 2 hour shift Ryan 10—1 ? 1 —2(Lem?) (Bruce?) Bennett 2—4pm 4/21 is Beautify Brewster day. 3 hour commitment, 9:30— 12:30 pm Leven is looking for volunteers 4/24 Public Meeting, HWG 4.Discuss dog waste composting Hughes, P had sent a link to a brochure regarding this topic. The group discussed burying dog waste. Hughes, P will be sending Leven additional information regarding compost holes. Bennett asked for an update regarding the BOH meeting. Hughes, J explained that dogs are banned from Drummer Boy Park year round. Bennett asked if there is an initiative to use the Freeman's athletic fields for a dog park. Miller explained it is a sensitive area It is unlikely. Bennett asked about the demand for a dog park. There was further discussion about dog parks and possible locations. 5. Revitiiw minutes from 2/27/12, Review Action Items Taylor made a Motion to accept the 2/27/12 minutes as corrected, Ryan Second, All Aye, Vote 5-0, Bennett abstain. The committee acknowledged the action items had been discussed. Hughes provided a brief summary. 6.Topics the Chair did not reasonably anticipate Bennett asked about the GIS overlays. Leven explained they are not done yet and they will be available through the town's web site Hughes, P suggested that Leven should talk to Skidmore about cancelling the meeting on 4/9. Miller suggested asking HWG for the source files for the brochure and poster for future editing. Bennett read an article about the regionalization about wastewater plan. It was in the Cape Cod Times, opinion piece. Bennett will email the article to the committee. He asked about the assembly of delegates and the distribution of funding. Leven explained the votes are weighted. Bennett is concerned about the representation for the Lower Cape. Leven acknowledged it is a good question and she is not sure. The committee discussed further. Assembly of Delegates, Wastewater options. TomorroW night CDM meeting with Town of Harwich, Planning Board, Update. Miller suggested subcommittees to work with HWG. A few people could run with it i.e. the brochure. Hughes,,J made a Motion to adjourn, Bennett Second, All Aye, Vote, 6-0 - Next Meeting: 4/9/12, Leven will not be at the meeting 4/9. Re.pec .11 itted, _0111143 9 / :1: : ;1"%r.71"--rk Kelly oore, D-pt. Assistant Planning iTc�•'.-12.d.• (minutes created from an audio recording) Page 3 of 4 e CWPC Action Items , Post 3-26-12 Meeting U;•dated 3-27-12 ACTION ITEMS MEETING COMMENTS ESTIMATED STATUS DATE COMPLETION DATE Sta s of Bridge Projects: Data Synthesis- GIS/Build-out, Ponds,Storm water Geo- locaion Bird Counts at Ponds 2-13-12 Taylor and Miller 4-9-12 Pending Leven has new contact. are looking for volunteers Horsley Witten (HWG) Phase II Schedule the first public meeting with Mark 12-12-11 Leven 4-9-12 Done Nelson Location/date TBD 4-24-12 Web site project, outreach: 3-26-12 Comments to 4-9-12 Pending Site, Poster, Brochure from HWG Leven by 3/29 @ Drafts distributed for review 1pm Questions to include in tax bills about water 1-09-12 BOS sending TBD Pending usage. Ask HWG for ideas, online form? Etc. something in next bill Staff GIS Training Leven 3-30-12 Pending Cranberry Growers Association Check on the availability of PowerPoint Fall 2011 Offer made to give 4-19-12 Pending presentations from the meeting Taylor and PowerPoint Leven attended in 2010 with the CGA. presentation in Brewster/Harwich Contact CGA and ask if they might talk to the Fall 2011 Leven No answer yet Pending bog owners and find out when discharging into the ponds—to take samples. Misc: Bennett to email wastewater article from 3-26-12 Bennett 4-9-12 Pending Cape Cod Times to the committee Education—discuss with HWG 10-24-11 General public, 4-9-12 Ongoing Town committees and boards Lower Cape Expo, Harwich 2-27-12 Participation in the 4-9-12 Ongoing Lower Cape Expo April 14th Meet with HWG MS4 Compliance Update 11-14-11 SEA/HWG Ongoing Bennett asked for reports done by Peter 2-27-12 Leven to request 4-9-12 Pending Weiskel regarding tri town treatment plant link from Orleans Web site, Peter Weiskel reports CWPC 03-26-12.docx (minutes created from an audio recording) Page 4 of 4