Wastewater Implementation Committee Meeting

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Meeting date: 
Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Meeting Minutes

For

Town of Harwich

Wastewater Implementation Committee (WIC)

Wednesday, July 20 2016 at 9:30 a.m.

Attendees:

WIC Members: Chris Harlow (Acting Chairman), Sharon Pfleger, Heinz Proft, Bob Cafarelli, Jeremy Gingras and Allin Thompson

Others: Charleen Greenhalgh, Dan Pelletier, Michael MacAskill

CDM Smith: David Young

Introduction:

The Harwich WIC held a meeting on Wednesday, July 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:

  1. Discuss and approve WIC Minutes dated May 4, 2016.

Motion to approve minutes of June 22, 2016 was made by Allin Thompson and 2nd by Jeremy Gingras. Approved unanimously (6-0).

  1. Review CDM Smith invoice.

CDM Smith’s June invoice billed to the upper limit on their contract. Chris Clark recently signed a new contract for them for $25,000 to continue support on the Chatham IMA, Sewer Regulations, Community Partnership discussions, limited WIC meetings and other related items. So there is no invoice to discuss this month.

  1. Discussion of CCC’s One Cape Conference held on June 23 and 24

Several WIC members attended the two day conference and thought is was very informative. Allin Thompson thought the panel discussion by representatives from EPA, MassDEP and CLF (Conservation Law Foundation) was the best part and how they all reiterated that “No’ was not an option. David Young noted that the intital discussions by MassDEP on their approach to issuing a 20-year watershed permit that was renewable every 5-years was interesting and has a long way to go to be refined. Sharon Pfleger noted the finance discussions noted that State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans may not always be available and so trying to use them early would be beneficial.

  1. Update on status of the Final CWMP filing with MEPA and CCC

Harwich received a MEPA Certificate on May 13th approving their CWMP. Mr. Young has spoken with Jon Idman at the CCC and they will hold a subcommittee hearing on the Development of Regional Impact (DRI) process on July 28th and the full CCC Hearing on August 18th. WIC members are encouraged to attend. Town will develop letters of support.

  1. Discuss draft job description of a potential Wastewater Outreach Person

Jeremy Gingras had distributed a draft job description that he and Chris Harlow had developed for this position. Several comments had previously been received. Only $15K remains for the position. Some questioned timing of hiring the person or if it was a consultant. Charleen Greenhalgh suggested town may want to wait until the IMA with Chatham is finalized. Some WIC members thought it was important to be addressing those who still think a “do nothing” option is feasible. Dan Pelletier noted the timing of educating people is important in that you don’t want to educate people on an issue and then not do anything for a long period of time. Committee consensus was to complete the job description and send to administration and then discuss timing and options. Jeremy will send around one more revised version for members to review and only respond to him. Want to complete within the next month.

  1. Update on Chatham IMA and Harwich Sewer Use Regulations.

The two towns have a meeting scheduled for tonight (7-20-16) to discuss the draft Inter-Municipal Agreement (IMA) for use of the Chatham wastewater treatment plant. Harwich has revised the draft sent by Chatham. There are several issues that still remain to be finalized. Discussion is posted as an open meeting in Chatham Community Center.

  1. Discuss results of Cold Brook Attenuation meeting held on July 8th at Town Hall

David Young reviewed the meeting held with SMAST and Harwich Conservation Trust representatives on July 8th to review and discuss the two year town study. SMAST made a summary presentation which was sent to all WIC members. HCT need to review results which recommended an open water body be created to gain the best natural nitrogen attenuation with their new Department of Ecological Restoration (DER) contact. Michael Lach will set up a follow up meeting in August with DER in attendance.

  1. New/Old/ Other Business

It was noted that some of the wastewater information on the town website is becoming dated and that the outreach person could work on that aspect.

  1. Future Meeting:

Tentative for August 17, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. will be booked. WIC Chairman will decide if an August meeting is required.

Adjourn 10:50 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