HomeMy Public PortalAboutPlanning Minutes 2014-02-05 t'`7 , V15s
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ORLEANS PLANNING BOARD and BOARD OF HEALTH
FEBRUARY 5,2014-Minutes
The joint meeting was called to order by Job Taylor(Board of Health)and Chet Crabtree(Planning
Board)at 3:08 p.m. in the Nauset Meeting Room at the Orleans Town Hall.
Present from Planning Board: Chairman: Steve Bornemeier;Vice-Chairman: Charles Bechtold;
Clerk: Chet Crabtree;and John Fallender. Associate:Paul McNulty. Planning Department Staff:
George Meservey; and Secretary:Karen Sharpless.
Present from Board of Health: Chair: Job Taylor, III; Elizabeth Suraci; Robin Davis; and Jan Schneider.
Health Department Staff. Robert Canning.
Also Present: Jon Idman and Patti Daley(Cape Cod Commission),Dale Fuller(Finance Committee)and
John Hodgson(Board of Selectmen).
Absent: Kenneth McKusick and Andrea Reed(Planning Board); Augusta McKusick(Board of Health)
and Jon Fuller(Board of Selectmen).
FERTILIZER REGULATIONS
Job Taylor gave an introduction of the Planning Board and Board of Health members present at the
meeting and an explanation of existing Board of Health regulations and input received from Cape Cod
Commission staff including Jon Idman and Patti Daley. A note was made that Jon Idman is the author of
the fertilizer regulations.
Bob Canning gave the following summary of differences between the existing town bylaw and the
proposed regulation:
Issue Existing Town By-Law Propose_d_Reaulation
Certification of No Yes
Applicators
ADDlication restrictions Yes Yes
.Prohibited from nonliving between October 16& • Non certified applicators(NCA)cannot uncle
April 14 between November 12&April 14
• Cannot apoly during or immediatelv nrior to • NCA cannot annly during or Immediately Drier to
heave rainfall heave rainfall
-Cannot annly to impervious surfaces • NCA cannot aonly within 100 feet of a water bodv
•Cannot atmly within 100 feet of a resource area without annroval
• NCA cannot annlv nhosnhoms without a soil test has
been taken in the previous 3 vears
• Cannot mmly to impervious surfaces
Amount restrictions Recommendation • Single armlication shall not exceed I Dound of
• Single aoolication at 0.5 nounds nitrogen Der 1.000 sf
nitrogen/1.0oosf • Annual rate cannot exceed 3 2 nounds of nitrogen
• Annual rate of 1 pound/1.000 sf /1,000S
Fertilizer formulation • Fertilizer should be of an oceanic slow • Fertilizer must have 20%slow release nitrogen
release water soluble form
Certified applicators N/A • Exempt from the above requirements
Planning Board Minutes—February 5, 2014 Page 1 of 4
All information discussed at Planning Board meetings is kept on rile in the Planning Department.
• Relies on Cane Cod Cooperative Extension service to
have education/certification Drograms
• Certain town officials&Landscape professionals are
exemnt from certification
• Non-certified anplicators may amly fertilizer under
the direct supervision of a certified applicator.
Exemptions •Amlication of fertilizer for agricultural Use Fertilizer for a uiculmral Use
•Armlications to home gardens.landscape Applications to home gardens.landscape plantings
plantings New vegetation in first growing season
.New vegetation in first growing season
*Yard waste compost
Enforcement Enforcement through Zoning Officer. • Non-Criminal Disposition$300/dav commencing 10
days after written notice from Board of Health
• Health Department
Patti Daley explained the purpose of the bylaw is to restore local authority which was eliminated under
legislation. It was acknowledged that Orleans has a bylaw which is grandfathercd in the District of
Critical Planning Concern. There is a model which can be used for a bylaw format with a deadline which
has been extended by a year until December 31,2014.
Idman explained there is a difference between bylaws which must be approved by the Attorney General
vs. regulations which can be done through the Board of Health. Board members discussed the
designation known as District of Critical Planning Concern and the restoration of authority previously
removed from towns. Jon Idman noted that with the additional time allotted,model regulations can be
drafted and the Cape Cod Commission is willing to help and noted that the enforcement authority could
be the Health Agent. Board members discussed sunsetting the use of fertilizers containing phosphorous
by certified and non-certified applicators. A discussion was held on certifications through the County
Extension Services. There was agreement on the need for homeowners to be educated regarding fertilizer
use and how to read the packaging. Elizabeth Suraci questioned funding for the certificate education
process and Jon Idman responded that the funding would come from County funds.
Paul McNulty left the meeting at this point.
Chet Crabtree questioned whether creating a new bylaw would negate the bylaw already passed by the
Town of Orleans and approved by the Attorney General. George Meservey questioned how proof would
be obtained if a neighbor files a complaint? There was a discussion of how retailers would handle
eliminating phosphorous from synthetic fertilizers, but other fertilizers such as organic could still contain
phosphorous.
John Fallender questioned how neighboring towns could have a unified approach to the problem and
whether there is a test to determine if a lawn was over-fertilized. Jon Idman responded that due to its
travel pattern,there is no test for nitrogen, but phosphorous can be tested.
Chet Crabtree noted that Orleans created its own bylaw,to be used as a guideline, due to the long
unsatisfactory wait for a Cape-wide solution. Crabtree noted there is no plan for"lawn police"in
Orleans.
Job Taylor noted the difficulty in enforcement,and stated it is important to make the homeowner
understand it is good for them as well as the town and subscribe to the program voluntarily.
Elizabeth Suraci urged support for the importance of the education component since people need to
understand"why"they have to do something before they will comply. Robert Canning agreed on the
need for education from the County Commission Extension Service for homeowners,but noted it will
take time. John Fallender agreed that homeowners need to understand the rules when they are applying
their own fertilizer. Idman stated that the Scotts Company is good about following the regulations in each
community.
Planning Board Minutes—February 5, 2014 Page 2 of 4
All information discussed at Planning Board meetings is kept on Neer the Planning Department.
f
Job Taylor thanked Jon Idman for coming with information and questioned the intent that the Board of
Health take charge. Jon Idman suggested getting the Conservation Commission involved in the process.
Public Comments:
- Sandy Bayne(Orleans Pond Coalition)questioned a lack of focus on phosphorous on the ponds and- - --- -
pointed out that it needs to be brought to the public attention. Bank noted that regulations for
Phosphorous may be stringent,but there is no way to tell Agway they can't sell fertilizer to
someone putting it on their lawn and nobody asks the consumer what they are buying it for. Bank
stated it is a public health issue and poses dangers.
Rigney Cunningham(Orleans Pond Coalition)questioned the issue of enforcement and suggested that
education seminars be held to encourage a behavioral change in order to do the right thing for
local waters. ^ -
Steve Bornemeier questioned what the Orleans Pond Coalition has done regarding public education on
the issue.
Rigney Cunningham responded that letters have gone out to landscapers and they are holding
"Awareness Days"which should be supported by the town.
Carolyn Kennedy(Water Quality Task Force)noted that the Board of Health and the State have come in to
test water in two fresh water ponds which resulted in them being posted and closed. Kennedy
stated that more and more fertilizers products are going into our ponds with toxins which are
lethal to humans and animals.
Dale Fuller(Finance Committee)agreed that education is clearly the key.
Steve Bornemeier responded that education could begin in the schools.
Bob Canning suggested that the two boards need to discuss whether there is a need for any change and
whether it is for a bylaw or regulation.
Job Taylor responded that more thought is required,but it is too early for a discussion.
Steve Bornemeier questioned whether there is a need for a public hearing.
Bob Canning responded that was not his intent,but it is important to determine if we are going to move
forward with any changes at this time.
Job Taylor stated his opinion that there is currently a regulation and it might be prudent not to move
forward at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 4:12 p.m.
VOTE: 4-0-0 The motion passed unanimously.
Ala SIGNED: DATE:
Planning Board Minutes-February 5, 2014 Page 3 of 4
All information discussed at Planning Board meetings is kept on file in the Planning Department.
LIST OF HANDOUTS FOR FEBRUARY 5. 2014 PLANNING BOARD MEETING:
1. Memorandum to Board of Health dated November 18, 2013
2. Cape Cod Commission Model Fertilizer Regulation
3. Town of Orleans, Fertilizer Nitrogen Bylaw, Chapter 103
4. Barnstable County Department of health&the Environment letter dated October 7, 2013
Copy of e-mail from.ton Idman regarding Fertilizer Regulation extension__.
Planning Board Minutes—February 5, 2014 Page 4 of 4
All information discussed at Planning Board meetings x kept on Me in the Planning Department.