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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS 07-13-11 4PMBOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes of the Meeting of 13 July 2011. The meeting took place in the Public Safety Facility Training Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road, Nantucket, MA 02554. Members of the Board present were Rick Atherton, Robert DeCosta, Michael Kopko, Patricia Roggeveen. Chairman Atherton called the meeting to order at 4:05 PM. I. WASTEWATER ACTION PLAN WORKSHOP TOPIC I. Introduction by Board of Selectmen Chair. Chairman Atherton introduced the Comprehensive Management Plan workgroup. Town Manager, C. Elizabeth Gibson introduced John Daniels of Woodard & Curran, as well as associates, Tom Hazlett and Rosemary Blacquer. TOPIC II. Overview of Madaket Needs Area Planning and General Discussion of CWMP Recommendations. Mr. Daniels stated the goat at the end of the workshop is to decide if the Town needs to update the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) or go ahead to the implementation stage in needs areas. Mr. Daniels stated there have been five newsletters distributed throughout the process. Ms. Blacquer was part of the original team that developed the CWMP. Ms. Blacquer revised the needs criteria in 2004 and stated the changes or updates that have happened in 2011. Tom Hazlett is under contract to design the Madaket Wastewater Treatment Facility (MWWTF) but the project has been halted while undergoing information gathering. TOPIC III. What’s Happened/Changed Since Completion of the CWMP. Mr. Daniels reviewed funding. Massachusetts has a revolving fund with loans at 0 to 2 percent interest. The USDA/rural development has grants and low interest loans. Ms. Blacquer stated the need to incorporate the Massachusetts Estuaries Plan (MPE) to CWMP. Ms. Blacquer stated the need to review soon the soon to be released total maximum daily load (MPDL) from MEP; and the need to review the 2004 final plan with above updates. TOPIC IV. Open Forum - Public Comment/Suggestions/ Questions and Answers. Richard Ray, Heath Director, spoke about severe soils. The soils are sandy and can’t filter bad nutrients out. Mr. Ray discussed tight tanks, nothing the State has said tight tanks can only be used temporarily/seasonally. They are not a long term solution. 4:48 PM – Whitey Willauer joined the meeting. Clark Whitcomb asked if there will be a cost comparative/engineering study between on-site wastewater treatment facility and sending to Surfside. Mr. Ray stated the Town, through the State, has money to borrow for alternative design technologies while waiting for sewer, 2%, 20 year loans. Dave Fronzuto, Harbormaster, stated there is an estuaries report on the Town of Nantucket website. Mr. Fronzuto further stated the Marine Department did water quality studies for many years on Madaket Harbor, Hither Creek, Ditch and Long Pond. The report reviewed how areas are affected by nutrient loading and that we are really talking about areas in Madaket that contribute pollutants into Hither Creek. Charlie Stott of Madaket is concerned about preserving environments. Mr. Stott would like to know what is going to be done. Mr. Stott is happy to hear of piping and sending to Surfside. Mr. Stott would like to see a rigorous and objective assessment of alternative to building a wastewater treatment facility. Mr. Stott stated the possibility of having an independent review of community group. Ken Giles stated two weeks before an inspection his 1 septic system failed. Mr. Giles spoke to a group in Old Saybrook, Connecticut and feels there are lots of alternatives to wastewater treatment facilities. Jerry Morton of Fisher’s Landing stated the Fishers’ Landing Association has 147 acres owned by private owners. Mr. Morton is requesting consideration for Fishers’ Landing in plan for wastewater treatment facility. Mr. Morton feels they have created a greenbelt around development which helps to filter out nutrients. Don Visco asked if it is a foregone conclusion that the Town is acquiring FFA land. Mr. Kopko stated CWMP is the master plan for the island and that this plan has come together over time and it might need to be amended considering new information. Ms. Roggeveen recognizes that the Town does not have a financial master plan. Terry Kelly asked has information been given to the public at workshop; i.e.: sewer capacity of SWTF, number of houses in Madaket, potential buildout due to zoning. Mr. Kelly would like the information to decide which direction to take. Mr. Atherton stated the Board would try to get a summary out. David Gray, Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager, stated the Surfside Plan sees 3.5 million gallons a day that is the maximum discharge into sand filters. There are also issues with 7 million gallons of storm water flossing into the plant at times. Mohamed Nabusli, Assistant Director of Department of Public Works, stated the limitation of the Surfside Plan was it was designed based on limitation of sewer district. Madaket was not included in the design. The estimated cost of the Madaket WWTF is $45 to $46 million. Mr. DeCosta stated the Board is looking at all options for Madaket but feels the need to keep the door open for an EAA proposal. Mr. Ray stated there are computer models to look at certain areas. This will help to give a better idea of what the Town can do. The cost for the computer models are $2500. per model. Mr. Daniels stated there is no time limit once the TMDL’s out, but DEP has indicated there will be eventually. Mr. DeCosta stated the Board is being proactive so we can look at all alternatives. Peter Halstead feels the Town should not jump to fast but see what other Towns do first. Marjorey Colley stated the Town should look at all options available. TOPIC V. Review of Working Schedule, Neighborhood Association and Other Civic Group Meetings. Board of Selectmen Workshops Nantucket PSF from 4-6 PM • August 10th – Overall CWMP Report, Massachusetts Estuaries Program (MEP). Development of the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Madaket Harbor Estuary System, Board of Health and Marine and Coastal Resources Department Presentation. • September 14th – Setting Wastewater Priorities and Initiating a Funding Discussion Presentation. Approved the 1st day of February, 2017. 2 BOARD OF SELECTMEN JULY 13, 2011 – 4:00 PM PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY TRAINING ROOM 4 FAIRGROUNDS ROAD NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS List of documents used at the meeting: None.