HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-4-16BOARD OF HEALTH
TOWN OF NANTUCKET
INFORMATION SESSION -APRIL 16,2009-TOWN WATER TO MADAKET
NANTUCKET HIGH SCHOOL — LGI ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Kopko, Ms. Roggeveen, Mr. Atherton, Mr. Chadwick
and Mr. Reinhard.
MEMBERS ABSENT: NONE.
HO Ray — Water to Madaket is not a new issue — it has been discussed for 10 -15 years.
Hither Creek is part of the Harbor Watershed Protection District and is an endangered
water body due to nutrient loading (small body of water with only one outlet). Madaket
buildout is at a status quo currently. There are salt water intrusion -water quality issues in
some areas of Madaket. Municipal water would relieve nitrogen sensitive labeling and
building could potentially explode. HO Ray proposes to approach BOH with public
hearings, etc. to limit one bedroom per 10,000 sf by way of a new regulation (even with
hookup to town water) due to potential over- nutrification of water bodies (marginal build
out of properties — this has already been done in wellhead recharge district).
Andrew Vorce — one of the group's polls said they did not want to see water in Madaket.
At the same time, it is recognized that development should be controlled by zoning
regulations. Questions are asked about second dwellings, additional build out, etc. If the
zoning goes to village residential (a better match) it would reduce ground cover from 12
' /z% to 10 %.
Chairman Kopko asks for public comments /questions.
Mr. Whitcomb — Lots of information has been handed out. There is a big concern about
potential changes and not being able to view potential changes. Residents are very
concerned about something being stuffed down our throats and questions the need for
public water right now in Madaket. Perhaps it's only needed near Hither Creek and Long
Pond. It is almost wishful thinking to imagine we'd have state of the art fire protection in
Madaket — we can have all the hydrants in the world, but with no equipment or trained
personnel it's a little useless.
Another resident mentions meeting with the fire chief about his limited budget, but that
he had other ideas on how to get water in Madaket without running a water line. "What
are the other options on getting water to Madaket for fire protection ?" Chairman Kopko
agrees to get that info for the next hearing.
Mr. Giles — lots of people feel water to Madaket is just a precursor to sewage. We
haven't seen anything scientific yet that points to septic being the major cause of issues in
the Harbor. Would the introduction of sewer open Madaket uneven further to
development?
BOH INFORMATION SESSION -2- April 16, 2009
Mr. Willet — If and when sewer extension and wastewater treatment facility are brought
to Madaket, a zone change regulation must be done to preserve community as it is.
The landfill is not a contributor to degradation of Long Pond — dump does not discharge
the type of nutrient that causes algae bloom on the pond.
What is the timeline for water extension — if approved?
Mr. Gardner — Design will be done within a month — extension by October.
Where is the funding coming from for this project?
Mr. Gardner — a homeowner assessment. The design is strictly for Madaket Road with
the exception of The Racquet Club. There is a process to extend water for the side
streets.
Mr. Whitcomb — Would it be possible to bring water to Madaket for exclusive use of
"fire protection ?" No residential use at all? If water only goes to Madaket Road — it
won't help the creek side residents anyways. Lots of folks in Madaket have acceptable
drinking water.
Mr. Kopko says there is a legal issue involved with municipal water.
Mr. Vorce- the well water system proposed for The Racquet Club in Madaket is
acceptable to the Planning Board (town water service is not required — although one may
be recommended over the other).
Cormac Collier thanks the BOH for their input on new regulations.
Sara Oktay asks for numbers in change of use (town water vs. well water). We need to
measure both fertilizer use and septic runoff (nutrients) into water bodies of Hither Creek
and Madaket Harbor.
Mr. Giles reminds BOH that we are still awaiting the Madaket Harbor Watershed
Protection District results.
Mr. Kopko states that this is an information session and more public hearings will occur.
Ms. Roggeveen states that the Board will respect the area plan and residents' input.
Mr. Kopko adjourns the BOH Meeting at 6:15 p.m.