HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-9-06
Advisory Committee of Non-Voting Taxpayers
Committee Meeting Minutes
Meeting of ACNVT held September 6, 2002, in the Nantucket High School conference room
Present: Louis Bassano, Howard Blitman, Trig Cooley, Roger Ernst, Suzanne Mueller, Ellen
Roman, Bill Sherman, Jay Strauss, Terry Sutphen, Jim Treanor, Helene Weld, Joan Wofford,
and Richard Wolfe. Non-members: Dale Stoodley plus guest speakers Richard Ray and John
Pagini
Call to order: Chairman Ernst called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. with a quorum
present. Without objection, the Chair declared the minutes of 8/23/02 meeting approved as
distributed.
Town Issues - Wastewater Treatment As a follow-up to our prior meetings with Rick
Atherton, Chair of Capital Program Committee, and Jeff Willett, Superintendent of Public
Works, the Town Health Officer Richard Ray spoke ofa concerted effort over the next 12
months to address issues of water quality. Inspections are to be made by private contractors
of all private septic systems over 2-years old located in the Harbor Watershed District, is
envisioned.
Reports of such inspections are filed in the Health office for Richard Ray's review when time
allows. He will have the power to mandate repair of failed systems but delay doing so for 6 -
12 months until evaluation ofa new system component (a "bug box") is completed. The bug
box, developed by Mike McGrath of Falmouth, exhibits dramatic nutrient reduction and
recently received State approval. To assess whether it works well for seasonal occupancy, a
pilot evaluation of some 10 installations is envisioned, perhaps on Nantucket. The bug box
was successfully tried at the Nantucket Golf Club. Surveyor Mike Bachman is enthusiastic.
Great savings over conventional system upgrades are in prospect, their costs reaching
upwards of $50,000. Bid comparisons are recommended to avoid overcharge.
Inspections are in the $200 - 400 range, are currently voluntary and can be done by a number
of on-island firms. Richard Ray has list of qualified inspectors. Howard Blitman offered to
obtain a list of professional engineers qualified and available to come on island. This winter
the Board of Health regulations may be modified to add a penalty, e.g., occupancy barred
until required inspection is completed.
Especially with older systems, simply locating the system may prove costly. Health Dept.
records show installations since 1978 and locations since 1982.
In the last two years some 85 septic systems in the Harbor Watershed District were newly
installed or repaired. A 45% 'failure' rate actually was reckoned from both new and repaired
systems. More accurately, from Richard Ray's review of EarthTech's Phase I report figures,
a 20 - 25% failure rate has been found. Notice letters have been sent to owners of property
on the north side of Pol pis Road beyond Monomoy. While State funding is available to assist
with repair cost, Nantucket owners are unlikely to qualify.
Monomoy property owners have not been required to hook up to the new sewer extension
unless a septic system has failed. Failure is generally indicated when a water line mark is
observed above the outflow opening of the tank - an indication of' hydraulic failure' of the
leach field, trench or pit.
Nantucket harbor exhibits water quality degradation, at most a 'disaster in the making'.
Health Department regs will be extended to Madaket harbor and Hither creek. With
Nantucket's health regulations more stringent than the State's Title V, principal limitations
on effective action are money and staff time.
With public wastewater treatment flows nearing design capacity at Surfside, a moratorium on
discharge permits required for new hookups may be ordered by the Board of Health. A sewer
tie in is planned for the Somerset property (but 4 - 5 other developments are at the front of
the line). Developers will normally shy away from package treatment plants because of on-
going maintenance costs. North of the Milestone Road on the west side of'Sconset, septic
systems may be allowed although in 'Sconset's well recharge district.
Pumpout of boats in the harbor under the Marine Dept.'s program has been phenomenally
successful. Harbor pollution is attributed to run-off and storm water discharge (from some 52
pipes into the harbor) as we)) as to failed septics. All beaches, Sesachacha and even
Miacomet pond have all tested o.k. repeatedly through summer '02, unusually low counts
being ascribed to low rainfall. (Shellfish, other than scallops, have an exceptionally low
threshold for pollution risk.)
Outside a watershed inspections are left to homeowners but commended every year or two.
Under current regs, wells are thought adequately spaced from septic systems that widespread
problems are not anticipated. Public awareness of precautions like minimal use of fertilizers
is relied on.
Roger Ernst encouraged Richard Ray to increase the level of communicating water quality
concerns to the public. Richard expressed belief that ACNVT could support the effort.
Island Planning Planning Director John Pagini reported much progress toward
implementing the ComPlan since its January 2000 ratification by Special Town Meeting.
Notably, the Nantucket Resident Housing Partnership, a diverse mix of representatives,
obtained Town ratification of the State's Community Preservation program to provide much
needed funding for housing initiatives including the Nantucket Housing Office. Sherburne
Commons' assisted living project is moving toward realization. The NRHP is cited for its
effective conflict resolution.
Much remains requiring voter support and enabling State legislation. Perhaps ACNVT can
assist with home rule petitions.
The State's pro-developer zoning legislation presents obstacles to sound planning, e.g.,
unusually generous 'grandfathering'. Nonetheless, efforts are proceeding with area planning
with the mid-island area having top priority.
A Madaket Harbor Watershed work group is envisioned with 6 - 8 month task of
determining appropriate steps to limit pollution.
"
Better beach management is needed to go along with Town efforts to open further public
access., better than present results at, e.g., Miacomet.
Good traffic solutions require augmented funding - to extend NRTA service above 75% of
the island and shorter 'head times'. Vehicles must be accommodated for new housing in any
cap. A focus should be on reducing the number oftrips per day per household down from 10.
Locals don't appear to be using the NRT A, perhaps indicating need for a new transportation
'culture' .
Answering a question from Roger, John Pagini thought a good process from plan to decision
to implementation went the best with strong, long-term Town professionals working with set
policies - not one's changing with each change of elected officials. A town-council form of
government is commended.
Suzanne noted a tension between those wanting a suburban ambience versus those preferring
rural.
Rental Vehicle Permit System To recommend an ACNVT response to letter of August 26th
from Town Administrator Libby Gibson, Roger appointed a subcommittee of Ellen Roman,
Terry Sutphen and Bill Sherman. Concern was expressed about beach abuse by rental4WDs,
barred on the Vineyard. The subcommittee will meet Monday 9/9 at 9:30 a.m. in the Town
Annex.
Other Roger asked Louis Bassano to distribute a draft proposing a uniform definition of
resident versus non-resident, e.g., for purposes of different fees at the Miacomet Golf Club.
Next meeting: The next ACNVT Meeting is scheduled for 8:30a.m., Friday, September 13th
at the Town Annex Conference Room at 37 Washington Street (across from Town pier-
parking is limited). Members who are not able to attend, please notify Roger Ernst. At that
meeting, an effort will be made to deal with items remaining on the meeting agenda.
The meeting was adjourned at 11 :43 a.m.
Respectfully .s~bmitted' ~
4y~d~,
William R. Sherman, Secretary
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