Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE

WELLFLEET BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019

6 PM

2^ND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, TOWN HALL

Present:  Curt Felix, Tom Flynn, Neil Gadwa, Jim Hood and Catharie Nass. 

Department Secretary Rebekah Eldridge was out sick.

The Board opened the meeting at 6:10 PM with a review of the proposed budget for FY 2020. The Board unanimously recommended the budget which will be included in the warrant for the upcoming Town Meeting. 

A discussion ensued regarding the warrant article pertaining to the proposed position of Director of Water Resources, the position envisioned to oversee both the Municipal Water System and the implementation of a wastewater management plan required by Massachusetts DEP to bring Wellfleet into compliance with regulations pertaining to reduction of nitrogen in the Harbor.  Mr. Felix explained that the proposed wastewater plan as developed with the assistance of the Cape Cod Commission is proposed as an alternative to the installation of a sewer system in the Central District.  The plan includes a number of alternatives lower cost strategies such as the establishment of oyster beds along areas of elevated nitrogen levels in the Harbor, restoration of Mayo Creek, reclamation of fertilizers used on lands adjacent to the Harbor and removal of the old railroad bridge in Duck Creek to increase tidal velocity and flow.  Mr. Felix explained that the Department of Environmental Protection is participating in the development of the plan. The Director of Water Resources will be responsible for implementation of the plan in coordination with various Town departments including the Municipal Water System.  The position will be brought up for a vote at the annual town meeting in April. 

Mr. Felix also reported that he is evaluating the Department’s revenues from usage fees for the last year to determine if there are changes that can be made to encourage abutters to the system to connect.  Similarly, the Commission is looking at changes to the fees for connection to the system that would make it more attractive to potential users. 

The agenda item pertaining to surveys in areas that are not currently on the system is tabled to a future meeting.  Those areas include Briar Lane, Masonic Lane, and Ryder Court. 

The approval of the lien for a deferred payment plan for 125 Cahoon Hollow Road will be addressed in an upcoming meeting as will approval of minutes that were in Ms. Eldridge’s office. 

Mia Baumgarten who was slated to attend the meeting to discuss filming of future meetings of the Water Commission was unavailable. 

James Hood, Chair.