The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My Public Portal AboutComprehensive Water Planning -- 2013-08-12 Minutes �� a1611W,rS, .�i//.. a�0� of�� ;�'p//�'� Town of Brewster Comprehensive Water �"° 2198 Main Street Planning Committee 3 ,, .I a Brewster, Massachusetts o _ ,� , y= 02631-1898 " H� '�� (508) 896-3701 x1233 3 j E°q,o \ FAX (508) 896-8089 I I U I I t O k '13 SEP24 2:47PM Date AI pproved:9-9-13 Vote 7-0 TOWN OF BREWSTER MINUTES OF V� COMPREHENSIVE WATER PLANNING COMMITTEE (CWPC) Regular Meeting BREWSTER TOWN CLERK Monday, August 12, 2013 at 4:30 pm Brewster Town Office Building Chairman Lem Skidmore convened the CWPC meeting at 4:30 pm in the Brewster Town Office Building with members, Russell Schell, Dave Bennett, Dan Ryan, Paula Miller, John O'Reilly, and Bruce Evans present. Absent: Elizabeth Taylor Also Present: Sue Leven, Nancy Ellis Ice, Jim Gallagher, Pat Hughes, Hal Minis, Neighbors of Elbow Pond Recording or Taping Notification The hai read "As required by the Open Meeting Law we are informing you that the Town will be audio taping this eC � q Y p 9 9Y public meeting. In addition, if anyone else intends to record this meeting he or she is required to inform the chair." AGENDA Supporting Documents: 1. Citizen Forum 2. SMAST proposal and funding update 081213 Ai,Correspondence re: Elbow Pond 3. Discussion of funding requests for fall town meeting 4. Brewster Conservation Day and BCT/CWPC meeting wrap-up 5. Private pond discussion 6. Review minutes of 6-24-13 8.Topics the Chair did not reasonably anticipate 1. Citizen Forum Bob Mal4terstock, who lives near Elbow Pond, spoke in favor of including Elbow Pond in a pond study. He submitted a petition that was already emailed to Planning by Sandy Zevon. He expressed concern about the impact on the pond by the two cranberry bogs with frontage on the pond. There are two bogs of 14 to 18 acre. The pond is 30 acres. He asked if any work had been done regarding fertilizer's affect on the pond. He had received feedback from the Cranberry Growers Association. The UMass Cranberry Station has subtnitted a report which Mr. Zevon emailed to the Committee. Skidmore stated the Committee's mission. He acknowledged that Elbow Pond is one of 80 ponds being reviewer. The current study is focused on the Mill Ponds. He explained there are things people can do to help out the impaired ponds. He encouraged the formation of pond associations. He acknowledged cranberry bogs as a source of nutrients but not the only one. Leven explained that a certain number of ponds have public access and some are privately owned without public access. The town would address those ponds with public access first. CWPC 8-12'-13.dooc Page 1 of 5 Mauterstock asked if there are any regulations. Leven suggested he attend a meeting Wednesday at the Harwich Community Center, sponsored by the Pleasant Bay Alliance. It is a lecture by the Cranberry Growers Association. They discussed what other towns and doing about impaired ponds and how many ponds in Brewster are located near cranberry bogs. Mauterstock was concerned about the increase in vegetation in the pond. Skidmore acknowledged that there are many contributors. Skidmore urged them to learn about best practices around the ponds. He hopes td distribute information to other associations. Schell a ked for a description of the location of the two bogs near Elbow Pond. Mauterstock explained the location to Schell referencing the location visually. They discussed further. He acknowledged an interchange between the Elbow ponds and Walkers Pond. Leven suggested they visit the alcove on the second floor to review informational handouts. Nancy PI ice addressed the committee. She lives near Elbow Pond. She explained there is not town access. Leven aid Price discussed further. There is not a town landing, so no public access. Mary M Iuterstock addressed the committee. She gave Leven copies of the documents that have already been sumitted. The letter from Ken Wagner is new information. Bennett asked Price about any trails to the pond. Erosion? Storm water, near parking lot? Price mentiond pooling water after rain that flows into the pond. She discussed further with Bennett. Bennettlnoted improvements can be made by the neighbors. A good example is what the residents are doing atl the end of Canoe Pond Road. Bennett suggested bringing ideas/concerns to the CWPC. Schell asked about a sick dog that drank water from the pond. He suggested getting samples - a leverage for action. There have been recent tests showing acceptable levels for the pond. Bennett informed the group that the committee can recommend where money is spent. (Direct discharges, worsening conditions) There is a fertilizer management plan for every bog that has to be approved by the Department of Agriculture. Pesticide use has changed dramatically. He encouraged people t be diligent about their pond. Nancy Ellis Ice, the Board of Health Director can take up health related Sctions. 2. SMA T proposal and funding update Leven stated that Nelson has been in touch with Eichner and they are discussing how SMAST can work with HWG. It is a HWG Phase III budget item. Skidmore asked about the continuance of the SMAST work. Leven explained SMAST will do some of it. She is meeting with Nelson and contacts in Orleans tomorrow. SMAST is working on Schoolhouse Pond. Skidmo ie asked about analysis from Eichner. Leven will follow up. Bennettll,asked about the second half of the funding. Was there a vote? Leven stated they could vote the 2nd half now that they have the money. Leven and Bennett discussed further. He asked for a revised budget line for a vote. Leven agreed. 13. Disc ssion of funding requests for fail town meeting I Leven stated Phase III is covered. She will talk to Nelson about looking into a guide for private pond owners. Skidmore asked about the next phase. End of phase III, December. Leven noted alternatives analysis, selection, and implementation (Phase III, IV) not there yet. CWPC 8-12-13.docx Page 2 of 5 Skidmore asked about a placeholder. Leven will talk to Nelson and get feedback for additional funds. She will double check end of Phase III. Skidmore has not seen an anticipated schedule. End of December? Hughes asked if HWG will be finishing alternatives in December. A number of public meetings are needed. It may be rational to ask in May town meeting for next steps. Skidmore agreed. May is late. 8/26 is deadline. O'Reilly Stated if alternatives are not complete until December, then he has concern regarding an article in the fall. He suggested using December - March for complete public selling, alternatives and recommendations. Leven explained a possible pilot project, permeable reactive barriers. They could ask for money to cover research and testing. O'Reilly was in favor of a well defined position. He noted it could make sense for this fall. Hughes agreed with O'Reilly. She went to the Cape Cod Commission meeting on Level's behalf regarding alternatives. She was in favor of pond work (less for new field work and more for taking data and coming up with recommendations). She suggested proposing a pilot and then working on a plate and budget for the November town meeting. Bennett noted the work with direct discharges, storm waters, 10% design storm water projects. He would like to see e data for reactive barriers before moving forward. Where are our discussions with Orleans? He agre d with O'Reilly. Leven explained there is a grant in process for the town hall rain garden. Bennett was in favor of a smaller article and a demo of work already being done. Leven and Nelson are meeting with Orleans tomorrow. Hal Minis spoke in favor of more education for pond owners. The BCT could be a partner with the activities Skidmore agreed with a coordinated effort. Leven will follow up after meeting with Nelson. The next meeting,is 8/26, which is the deadline for town meeting articles. Bennett'lasked about the number of direct discharges. Leven explained the town was entering into a contract for road improvement management. Bennett asked how many. Leven will follow up. O'Reilly',asked about process for a placeholder. Leven could update Sumner on 8/27 with the estimated number„ They discussed allocations of money available after July 1. They discussed what exactly is included in placeholder. (Mill Ponds, data analysis/Eichner). Practical applications, Bennett, for taxpayers to see. 4. Brevr$ter Conservation Day and BCT/CWPC meeting wrap-up Leven sated it was a good opportunity. The setting did not work well for Nelson's scheduled speaking events, ut she explained it was good for him to meet people. She shared comments. The information on the card provoked discussion. Leven noted that people don't understand their individual contributions. The group received new email addresses. Leven also attended the part time residents meeting on Saturday and it went well. There were a lot of questions. Minis informed that Board that the BCT is starting to plan for next year and would love to know what kind of activiies the committee is interested in doing again. He will work with Leven. I 5. Priv4te pond discussion Private'pond discussion Skidmore stated there are many people who care about ponds and are willing to take action if they know about a set of activities they could do. Elliott Carr spoke to Skidmore about starting a Brewster pond association. In general this is a good thing to talk about. What can we do regarding current resources, resources and objectives? Leven explained we need for everyone to understand the CWPC mission. This committee does not fix things. the purpose is to look at representative samples for broader recommendations. CWPC 8-12-13.docx Page 3 of 5 What can be done to bring private pond people to the table? Private pond owners may have access to money that the town does not have. Evans asked what the biggest contribution to the ponds is. (Phosphorus) We need to tell people. Leven noted Elbow pond. Alum treatment has been discussed, but it does not solve the problem. Part of it is understanding how it got that way and what will make it better going forward. Manage expectations. Bennett noted they have the discretion to prioritize projects. It is important that people have a place to go. The Town has a responsibility to lead and show some examples of fixing areas. Miller, P was concerned about recommendations being made and people not seeing results. People have to understand they are not sterile holes; ponds evolve into swamps and meadows. Manage expectations. A lot of the ponds, labeled as impaired, are grassy ponds already. Part of this is nature. Need pond SWAT Team? What is the action? Skidmore agreed it starts with education and then more information. Schell e*pressed concern. (Parallel to Elbow Pond neighbors) He explained that Elbow Pond has enough neuro toxins to kill a dog. It is documented that Walkers Pond has exceeded state limits for neuro toxins. Leven h' s distributed this information. There is ample evidence by authorities on concentrations of neuro toxins/b�ue green algae/related to phosphorus concentrations to the water column. Schell 4plained that Elbow Pond and Upper Mill Pond are deep enough to experience seasonal temperature stratification, autumn turnover, and a significant increase in water column phosphorus concentration. Walkers Pond is not deep enough to experience seasonal temperature stratification. MA DEP has identified intermittent storm water flow through the drainage conveyance under Cranview Road as a prospective source of phosphorus transport from Elbow Pond, and the cranberry bog north of Elbow Pond, to Walkers Pond. The State DEP has identified the drainage problem under Cranview Road as a possiblesource of phosphorus. CCC is in process of proposing a generic fertilizer control. He referenced a letter from Mr. Keats who is a resident of the neighborhood. We should encourage consultants to explore in more detail. Skidmore asked if this is what we are doing. Bennett,noted Phase III, surface waters, analysis and recommendations. It's possible that one day there maybe Minimized digestion of phosphorus in ponds. Skidmore was interested in having the consultants look at phosphorus in Elbow Pond area. Miller expressed concerned about a pond by pond analysis. Skidmore, SMAST Mill Pond (bridge project) Phase III, Schoolhouse Pond, (validate technique rapid assessMent) Evans rferenced the email from Mr. Zevon regarding the Long Pond Alum treatment. an now treat with Alum, temp and expensive, but might be where we are headed. Miller, Pquestioned the process and added that APCC and other environmental groups are working for great pond legislation. (Over 10 acres is a state pond, public access) Leven shared an idea of creating pond betterments. She provided an example of a neighborhood with deeded rights to a pond. (Preliminary plans to town, $ goes to a group, work gets done and gets charged out to residents) This could be very expensive. She is talking to town counsel about how it gets setup. Private ponds don't have public land for access. Skidmore acknowledged the great pond legislation, 10 acres, state owned. Private vs. public. CWPC 8-12-13.docx Page 4 of 5 An agenda item - More specific communications to pond owners. Make contact with pond associations and BCT Leven added that Elbow Pond private with no public access. Minis stated that people tend to come to the town for solutions but the actions are going to come from private Citizens. This committee could help citizens organize. (The ultimate success of pond protection program) Skidmore agreed. Schell is��asked about Elbow pond. Private/public? Leven stated private Schell stated it is a great pond and bordered by town property. Hughes asked how we make strategic investments. She explained that from a public perspective it makes more sense to invest in a publically owned pond. She understands Schell's concerns but it would be difficult to convince people to invest in private ponds vs. public ponds. Leven will discuss with Nelson. Something in writing should go to the other departments to set expectations. It is good for people to come to the meetings to ask for help. They discussed possible actions. There was concern about how people should respond. Bennett likes the idea of betterment and thinks they should add a tax deduction for money put into a pond. He added that they probably won't probably see state programs or municipal programs. Miller requested a better concept of what the committee is doing. Leven n ted the HWG rapid assessment example. A lot of the ponds will have same basic issues, especial'y if they have development on the pond. This topic will be on the next agenda. 6. Reviles minutes of 6-24-13 Bennett',made a Motion to approve the revised minutes of 6-24-13 as amended, Ryan Second, All Aye, Vote 7-0 11767.*Ti � bIY',L` ate:01, .•.4 ,�'at 1`{a.�i� F. Ste. m.f ,fir. 9 q� � � n.*,;,;«,. .. None. Evans rrade a Motion to adjourn, O'Reilly Second, All Aye, Vote 7-0. The meting ended at 6:00 pm. Next Meting: Monday 8-26-13 @ 4:30 pm Respectfully -omitted, AVA i :!1ij �', Vice Chair & Clerk Kelly Moore Senior Dept. Assistant, • anning CWPC 8-12 13.docx Page 5 of 5