BWC Minutes

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, August 15, 2017

 

Board of Water Commissioners

Wellfleet Basement Hearing Room, 300 Main St.

August 15, 2017 at 7:00 PM

 

Commissioners Present:  Chair Justina Carlson, Neil Gadwa, Curt Felix, Catharie Nass

Regrets: James Hood

Also Present: Xanthe E. Labovites, Board Secretary

The meeting is called to order at 7:00 P.M.

Joint Meeting with the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Planning Committee-Wastewater and Water Commission Warrant Article: Path Forward: Discussion with Scott Horsley (Consultant) and Joint Meeting with the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Planning Committee

Scott Horsley from the Horsley-Witten Group spoke about the Federal Clean Water Act: Section 208, which enables and requires area-wide planning. He explained that he is currently working with towns on Cape Cod and non-profit groups like the Barnstable Clean Water Coalition trying to implement the 208 Plan.

He presented a slideshow to the Board which included several topics about alternative technologies, stormwater management, fertigation wells,  permeable reactive barriers (PRB), innovative and alternative septics, and installing urine diverting toilets in public buildings. He also spoke of the State Revolving Fund (SRF), which is available a state loan program for water and sewer systems, is now available for green infrastructure, and can be financed the same way town water and town sewer systems are.

Felix said the complexity on the Wastewater side and the terms of how it matches with the Water Commissioners needs need to be considered, and there are a lot of similarities. The Water Commissioners have been looking for alternatives to central water distribution. Carlson asked if there are innovative solutions, and what types of experts are available, and asked for advice in writing a position description or or functions for a full-time person.

Horsley said if the Board is looking for technological help, then a hydrologist or a civil engineer with a specialization in water, but perhaps a management person who knows the fundings vs. knowing the regulations. Another approach might be to hire a consultant first to develop a plan on how to go forward and that might give you a direction to move forward.

The Board will explore the options presented to them and thanked Scott Horsley for his time.

Recycling Committee Initiatives-Tabled for a future date

Discussion: Handout from EWG- Tabled for a future date

Eversource: Test Wells- Tabled for a future date

Cost of Service Option- Tabled for a future date

Minutes-Tabled for a future date

Correspondence- Tabled for a future date

Topics for Future Discussions- Tabled for a future date

Public Record-No Public record to note

Move to postpone the other Agenda items by Nass,

Seconded by Carlson. The motion carried 4-0.

The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:41 P.M.