Wastewater Implementation Committee Meeting
Meeting Minutes
For
Town of Harwich
Wastewater Implementation Committee (WIC)
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 9:30 a.m.
Attendees:
WIC Members: Peter de Bakker (Chair), Jeremy Gingras, Chris Harlow, Heinz Proft and Allin Thompson
Others: Michael MacAskill, Chris Clark, Larry Ballantine, Ann Howe, and Sharon Pfleger
CDM Smith: David Young
Introduction:
The Harwich WIC held a meeting on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at the Harwich town offices to review and discuss issues related to the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP).
A summary of items discussed is provided below in order of the agenda.
Summary of Discussion Items:
- Discuss and approve WIC Minutes dated November 18, 2015.
Motion to approve minutes of November 18, 2015 was made by Allin Thompson and 2nd by Jeremy Gingras. Approved unanimously.
- Review CDM Smith invoice.
CDM Smith invoice in amount of $28,999.39 and progress report were discussed and approved for processing by Heinz Proft. David Young noted that about $20,000 of that invoice was spent on the groundwater modeling of the potential two effluent recharge sites the WIC had identified and that cost wasn’t specifically in the budget. CDM Smith will try to adjust budgets going forward.
Peter de Bakker noted there is no Town Meeting article for additional wastewater planning funds this coming spring. He indicated the WIC will need to work with CDM Smith to adjust budgets and perhaps not meet as frequently.
- Discuss proposal to BOS for a dedicated Wastewater Outreach person
Chris Harlow reviewed his draft proposal to have a dedicated outreach person to help educate town residents about the wastewater program. He emphasized a $200 Million program needs a dedicated person that has a wastewater background, understands water quality issues and can develop education materials on multiple media platforms to distribute.
General discussion on approach to take from all in attendance. Chris Clark suggested a draft job description be developed so that he could determine whether it would be best for the town to hire a staff person for this task or whether to contract it out. Chris Harlow agreed to develop a draft for comment. Mr. Clark noted the town is in the budget process so this will need to be acted on quickly if it is to move forward.
Other suggestions were made for WIC members to use existing presentations and shorten them for use at local committees or groups to begin the education process. Larry Ballantine offered to assist in developing some of these presentations.
- Discuss possibility to have all key town committees and boards meet together on the Wastewater Program.
David Young reviewed the wastewater summit that he participated in with Dennis and indicated it was well received by all who participated. He will send information to Chris Clark who will arrange since all attending indicated it sounded like an excellent idea.
- Feedback on letter sent to BOS regarding potential community partnerships
Peter de Bakker sent a letter to the Harwich BOS endorsing their participation in potential community partnership discussions with Dennis regarding wastewater scenarios. Chris Clark will work with David Young to set up a meeting between the two towns to discuss options.
- Feedback on letter sent to BOS regarding wastewater governance
Peter de Bakker sent a letter to the BOS conveying the WIC vote (10-21-15) supporting a five member elected Water Commission to oversee the wastewater program. Recent discussions between the BOS and Water Commissioners indicates the BOS is leaning towards being in control of all wastewater planning, design and construction and then once a program component goes into operation that system component would be turned over to the Water Commissioners for day to day oversight. While no vote was taken, the WIC members expressed general support for that concept.
- Discuss and Vote on whether to recommend additional effluent recharge field work be conducted at this time or to hold off till future.
There was general agreement that the CWMP will identify the additional effluent recharge site screening that was conducted but that no further work will be conducted at this time and the bottom line is that all sites in the Pleasant Bay watershed remain potential candidates.
WIC members were okay with this approach because as Mr. MacAskill explained he believes the IMA with Chatham will have a clause that requires Chatham to notify Harwich 2 to 3 years ahead of needing to send effluent back to Pleasant Bay should that come about in the future. However, he cautioned that the town should continue to evaluate potential sites and not wait until one is actually needed.
- Update on Chatham MOU
Michael MacAskill indicated Harwich is still waiting for a draft Inter-municipal Agreement (IMA) from Chatham. Harwich is reviewing the Sewer Rules and Regulations that Chatham will require Harwich to adopt. Chris Clark re-iterated the goal is to bring the agreement with Chatham to the spring town meeting for approval.
- Discuss Final CWMP schedule.
David Young indicated that CDM Smith has updated most of the document and it is undergoing final review with the intent to file the Final CWMP in mid to late March. WIC members will be sent a revised Executive Summary to review.
Mr. Young also noted that CDM Smith will be assisting the town with filing the Cape Cod Commission Watershed Templates which are due in June 2016. This is not a scope item but all the information is in the CWMP and so shouldn’t be a significant effort.
- Discuss schedule for future WIC meetings
Committee discussed going to every other month for meetings. Next meeting is planned to be held at night.
- New/Old/ Other Business
Nothing to report
- Future Meeting:
Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. at Community Center (post meeting moved to Town Offices at 7 p.m.)
Adjourn 11:10 a.m.
The above minutes have been completed from notes taken by CDM Smith.
Distribution: Attendees, WIC Members and Chris Clark
Approved:
Date: ____________________
__________________________
Peter de Bakker, Chair