Wastewater Implementation Committee Meeting

Meeting date: 
Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Meeting Summary

For

Town of Harwich

Wastewater Implementation Committee (WIC)

Wednesday, August 26 2015 at 6:00 p.m.

Attendees:

WIC Members (No quorum): Chris Harlow (Vice Chair), Allin Thompson and Heinz Proft.

Others: Chris Clark ( 6 to 6:30), Michael MacAskill (BOS Liaison), Ann Howe, Bob Kingsbury, Rich Houston, Peggy Gabour, Noreen Donahue, John Sennott, Sandy Hall, John McCarthy, Jay Kennedy, Jim Cheverie, Liz Dubuque.

CDM Smith: David Young

Introduction:

The Harwich WIC held a meeting on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at the Harwich town offices to review and discuss implementation issues related to the CWMP. This was their first nighttime meeting. Because there was No Quorum present no committee votes were taken.

 

A summary of items discussed is provided below in order of the agenda.

Summary of Discussion Items:

  1. Discuss and approve WIC Minutes dated July 15, 2015.

The minutes of July 15, 2015 were held till the next meeting as no quorum was present.

  1. Review CDM Smith invoice

Invoice in amount of $17,511.60 was reviewed and Heinz Proft will process.

  1. Discuss status of new East Harwich effluent recharge site

Chris Clark noted that the subgroup (Chris Clark, Dan Pelletier, Chris Harlow, Ann Howe and David Young) met to review the previous site screening process utilized, to review previous sites identified to see if others are now viable, to think of new criteria to help identify sites and to discuss ways to better present to the public whichever site is selected. The subgroup identified some sites that the town assessor then researched. Dan Pelletier reviewed town water department property which had been previously screened out. Options for doing all subsurface recharge were discussed (private parking lots; town roadways; etc.).

David Young then gave an overview of the effluent site screening process utilized and presented in the Draft CWMP to identify potential sites. He reviewed some of the key criteria and noted the importance of not locating a recharge facility in a zone of contribution to a well and desiring to stay close to a 5-yr time of travel to a municipal well if in a Zone II area. He then went through the sites that had been identified by the subgroup and presented pros and cons for each.

Chris Clark summarized the work to date and indicated the top two options at this point appear to be a private 10 acre site within the property in the East Harwich Commercial District (no zoning change required) and looking at subsurface sites including potential town roadways or rights of way. But the subgroup intends to keep looking for sites as well as pursue these two options even though the actually need to utilize an effluent recharge site is 10 to 20 years away.

  1. Discuss Final CWMP schedule and local review/ approval process

David Young indicated that CDM Smith have been addressing comments on the Draft CWMP received during the MEPA and CCC review process. Additional sections on the cost recovery program, adopted by the town and greenhouse gas issues are being incorporated. The intent is to file the Final document this fall. Updated report sections will be sent to the WIC for review in the next few weeks.

Question was asked as to who in town needs to approve the Final CWMP. A public hearing was held by the BOS prior to the Draft CWMP being filed and essentially the plan is the same; just loose ends being addressed. Town meeting voters ultimately approve aspects of the plan when they voted for funding to approve specific elements. Mike MacAskill will verify that the BOS has already approved the plan for refiling.

  1. Update on proposed TMDLs.

A public hearing was held that afternoon in Harwich Town Hall by DEP for the Herring River watershed and the Allen, Wychmere and Saquatucket watersheds. Very few questions asked since the information presented was straight from the MEP reports on those watersheds. There is a 30 day comment period by DEP and then they recommend the final TMDL to EPA to issue it. Town will then be asked once it is formally issued how they intend to meet the nitrogen limits.

  1. Update on Chatham MOU

Michael MacAskill indicated the two towns are trying to schedule the next meeting and dates are being discussed.

  1. Harwich website updates/ public outreach

Chris Harlow described the four types of Harwich groups that he believes exist: 1. Those who are actively involved in the wastewater issues; 2. Those that are in denial on the issue; 3. Those that are an arms length removed from the issue but a very large group; and 4. Those that don’t really care about the issue. This makes it difficult as several avenues to connect with people must be used and the selling of the program is a multi-pronged approach.

Some suggested more social media needed to be utilized. Others indicated that the website information needed to be maintained in a more updated and accurate manner (update FAQs, etc.). Lastly, more proactive actions were suggested such as mailing out flyers, handing out flyers, distributing information on fertilizer use, and creating an education program at the Monomoy School to teach the next generation.

  1. New/Old/ Other Business

Many in attendance thanked the WIC for holding a night meeting which allowed them to attend. For many, it was their first wastewater related meeting.

  1. Future Meeting:

Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.

Adjourn 7:45 p.m. a.m.

The above summary has been completed from notes taken by CDM Smith.  

Distribution: Attendees, WIC Members and Chris Clark

 

Approved:

Date:         ____________________

 

 

__________________________                               

Chris Harlow,  Vice Chair