BWC Minutes

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, March 15, 2016

 

Wellfleet Board of Water Commissioners

Town Hall Conference Room

Tuesday, March 15, 2016, 6:00 PM

Commissioners Present:  Justina Carlson, Chair, Neil Gadwa, James Hood, Catharie Nass

Commissioners Absent:

Also Present: Gail Ferguson, Selectwoman Helen Miranda Wilson

Chair Carlson called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

Review and Recommendation of General Bylaw for Pesticide Control

Selectwoman Wilson summarized the 2016 Warrant Article III-10 that she has drafted on pesticide control. 

Nass commented on the fact that the Wellfleet Wellhead Protection District has not been tested for herbicides or pesticides, so there is no evidence to support more invasive protective action.  She called for evidence-based action and educating the public.

Chair Carlson said that public opinion is against pesticides near wells and the BWC should heed this.

Gadwa questioned the strength of a bylaw that appears to be self-regulatory.  Wilson countered that this bylaw is just the beginning of the process.

Hood spoke to the critical nature of protecting the aquifer at all costs.  He believes that the BWC should support any action that will eliminate or minimize potential contaminants from the watershed.

Chair Carlson made the motion to recommend 2016 Warrant Article III-10 for the Restriction of Use of Pesticides in Certain Areas as amended; Hood seconded; the motion passed 3-1.

Status of Tower Painting & Repair

No update was available.  Gadwa stated that painting should start by late summer or early fall.  The day time temperature should be at least 50°.  Chair Carlson will follow up on the progress of the Request For Proposals. 

Briar Lane/OCHS Expansion: Next Steps and Financial Model

The Board reviewed the survey sent to Briar Lane residents on 3-10-16, at the request of the Board of Selectmen.  Nass expressed her concern that a survey can influence voters depending on how it is designed.  She feels strongly that people need to be informed prior to being asked to make a decision.

Gail Ferguson stated that the survey done for the Phase II Expansion was skewed and did not have the intended consequences.  Potential customers may have been unintentionally misled.

Nass expressed disappointment that the decision to send the survey was not put before the BWC.  She stated that before the BWC send out future surveys it should take a more scientific approach and begin with focus groups.  She offered her expertise as a scientist with considerable training and experience in designing and implementing surveys, and has agreed to spearhead any future efforts of information gathering.

Hood mentioned that Outer Cape Health Services is still exploring the option of getting a new well on its current site.  According to Hood, the placement site options of a new well are extremely limited.

Gadwa explained the procedure that will be used to drill a test hole on the site to determine if there is a viable water supply.

Public Outreach

Hood suggested that the Board consult the Town of Eastham to find out what methods they used to mount a successful campaign to ultimately win public support for a town-wide water system.

BWC Member Recruitment

The Board would like the vacancy to be posted and advertised.  Spencer will follow up with the Principle Clerk who handles committee vacancies.

Minutes

Chair Carlson moved to approve the 3/1/16 BWC minutes as presented; Hood seconded; the motion passed 4-0. 

Chair Carlson moved to approve the 3/8/16 BWC minutes as presented; Hood seconded; the motion passed 3-0-1. 

Correspondence

  • Email messages between John Morrissey and Helen Wilson dated 3-15-16 regarding Home Owner’s Insurance discounts available for fire hydrant proximity

Topics of Future Concern

Agenda: April 5, 2016

  • Status of Tower Painting & Repair
  • Briar Lane/Outer Cape Health Expansion Discussion
  • Public Outreach
  • BWC Member Recruitment
  • Master Plan Discussion

Next Meeting:

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at 6:00 PM in the Town Hall Conference Room, 2nd floor.  

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM.                          

Public Records Materials of 3/15/16

  1. Draft of 2016 Warrant Article III-10
  2. Press Release from the Silent Spring Institute dated 1-27-16
  3. Survey sent to Briar Lane residents on 3-10-16
  4. Email between J. Morrissey and H. Wilson dated 3-15-16