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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOSminutes20110428 AM1 BOARD OF SELECTMEN “Sewer Issues” Workshop Meeting Minutes of the Meeting of 28 April 2011. The meeting took place in the Public Safety Facility Community Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road, Nantucket, MA 02554. Members of the Board present were Rick Atherton, Robert DeCosta, Michael Kopko, Patricia Roggeveen, and Whiting Willauer. Chairman Atherton called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. I. Review of Vote on Article 33 of 2011 Annual Town Meeting • Precedent for Future Project Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson gave a background on sewer issue and how it came to be Article 33 in the 2011 Annual Town Meeting (ATM). This meeting today is meant to be an introduction to sewer issue including CWMP, no money to update now but could add to the list of priorities. She is looking for information from the Board of Selectmen. What other information does the Board need? Mr. Kopko said the economy has changed and there is some fear in the community about what’s forthcoming. Where are we today as far as rates and cash flow. Mr. Kopko is in favor of updated CWMP, integrating estuaries models. He wants the Board to lay out strategy on where they want to go. Ms. Roggeveen stated there are two drivers, cost and balance between extension of service and fairness issues. The Board needs to get their hands around a rate. We are still grappling with how to finance plant. Mr. DeCosta asked why going forward with needs areas, it is because health of harbor like in Monomoy or to increase number of users to help pay for the plan. If that if the case, it is a hard sale. Mr. Kopko stated CWMP deals with environmental issues. There are still a lot of unknowns. John Daniels, Vice President of Woodard & Curran, environmental consulting firm, worked on island regarding sewer issues since 1971. He used to work for Whitman and Howard to develop sewer master plan. Had sewer lines that ran to raw sewer beds in Surfside/Sconset. That report suggested that the Town build three sewer plants, Surfside, Sconset and Madaket. In 1986 Whitman & Howard joined Earth Tech and developed CWMP in 1994. Mr. Kopko stated in 1993 Government grants went away and it is now on the communities. Mr. Daniels stated A. 33 proposes to change the way to pay down existing debt service. Mr. Daniels gave a history of funding options and current rates. He wants to help reorganize the Town’s program and needs to hear from the Board of which direction to go in. He handed out executive summaries of CWMP to the Board. II. Overview of Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan • Components to Update Rosemary Black, principal planner, gave an overview of CWMP process. The current contract includes archeological study and issues with National Heritage and trying to determine how much GAS land in Madaket is usable. The Board should expect a draft TMDL in three weeks. She stated most septic systems in Madaket, especially around Hither Creek are small lots, close together and work in mass to contribute nitrogen to ground and harbor. A discussion was held on various types of septic systems. Mr. Kopko stated innovative systems do not remove nutrients and people have installed them in good faith at great expense. A discussion was held on TMDLs. Mr. Kopko stated it is a good idea to ask Brain Howes to come to Nantucket in season and gave a report to the homeowners. Mr. DeCosta stated we are looking at $110 million in future projects and the Town needs to prioritize and educate the community. A discussion was held. Mr. Atherton 2 stated many people don’t believe their Title 5 septics’ contribute nutrients to the watershed. Mr. DeCosta is interested in dates of testing to maybe show increased use in season proves it. Mr. Atherton asked Ms. Black if Woodard & Curran can help develop criteria for priority list. Mr. Kopko stated environmental issues in Madaket need to be addressed. A discussion was held regarding FFA land. Ms. Black stated Ms. Gibson did a great job keeping OSA and HMS interested when they are on tight timeline. Mr. Kopko stated FFA land option not the only one. Mr. Willauer stated what’s next? What is the priorit? Monomoy didn’t come out of the blue, they were always apart of CWMP. Ms. Gibson realizes CWMP is dated and that is what the Town needs to look at it and prioritize. She has not gotten clear direction from the Board over the years. Ms. Roggeveen said yes, but not long term financial plan. Mr. Kopko stated we can look at the individual projects but all need to be part of the big picture but we need a comprehensive finance plan so projects down the road, people in those areas will know what’s coming. Ms. Black suggested update capital improvements plan. Charlie Stott agrees that the Madaket estuaries report demonstrates need to take action. He supports public funding of Wastewater Treatment Plan as public good such as police and fire. The Board needs to engage in comprehensive education program, develop messaging with consultants for June 14 ballot? It will be a real blow if A. 33 ballot defeated. As President of the Madaket Homeowner’s Association he believes the priority regarding FFA land, retain property in natural state as much as possible. He thinks the Board needs to be open to any, and all opinions. Dean Long stated the Board seems unsure of where to start. He feels they should start with money and set rates. 9:59PM MR. Willauer left the meeting and returned to the meeting at 10:00PM. A discussion was had. Mohammed Nabulsi, Acting Director of the DPW, asked Woodard & Curran how estuaries reports alter priorities in CWMP. Cormac Collier, Executive Director of the Land Council, sees this going forward with the following 1) bridge gap CMPM and estuaries reports, run models to get it go forward for Nantucket and Madaket Harbor. Mr. Collier stated the Town needs to get with Brian Howes and see what needs to be done. Ms. Roggeveen stated politics of the last few years was about building and growth. We have seen a slowdown in those areas and that allows us to take a breath. Arthur Gasbarro said to the put the executive summary on the web. Ms. Roggeveen stated to put rate on public hearing agenda. • Project Prioritization Criteria • Madaket WWTF o Additional Modeling with Madaket Estuaries Project o Funding and Financing Options o Review of Preliminary Design Progress III. Other Issues • Rates IV. Next Steps This meeting was adjourned at 11:13PM. Approved the 8th day of February, 2017 BOARD OF SELECTMEN APRIL 28, 2011 – 9:00 AM PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY COMMUNITY ROOM 4 FAIRGROUNDS ROAD NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS List of documents used at the meeting: I. Article 33 of 2011 ATM.