10/13/2011 ENVIRONMENTAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE Minutes

Home Browse Search

a Mashpee Environmental Oversight Committee Minutes of Meeting October 13 at 7:00 p.m. Mashpee Town Hall, Selectmen's Meeting Room Present: Chairman John Cahalane, Rick York, George Petersen Absent: Ted Theis, Peter White CALL TO ORDER The meeting was opened by Chairman Cahalane at 7:10 p.m. Chairman Cahalane welcomed Girl Scout Troops 81811 and 75187 to the meeting. Mary Waygan announced that members of the Troop received their Bronze Awards as a result of their work with the oyster count project they assisted with in the spring. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES April 14, 2011 Mr. York made a motion to accept the minutes of April 14th, 2011 to be approved as printed. Mr. Petersen seconded the motion. All voted unanimously. COMMUNICATIONS There was no public comment. NEW BUSINESS Environmental/Ecological Related Articles on the October 17,2011 Town Warrant Chairman Cahalane provided copies of the Town Meeting Warrant with the request that environmental related articles be reviewed at tonight's meeting. #14 Santuit Pond Street Takings-The Chair stated that Article 14 was intended to assist with cleaning up Santuit Pond and addressing drainage and run-off issues. The Chair indicated that the issue had been initially discussed with the Board of Selectmen during the spring. Residents attempted to make their own corrections to the problems, but had since reconsidered and agreed to the Town taking the roads. Mr. York made a motion to recommend approval as a Committee. Mr. Petersen seconded the motion. All voted unanimously. #15 Community Preservation Revenue-The Article will set aside funds whose use will be considered by the Community Preservation Committee. #16 Community Preservation Funds for Santuit Pond Restoration Project-The Article requested $357,000 from the Community Preservation Fund in order to finance the remediation and/or restoration of Santuit Pond using artificial aeration in order to reduce algae and improve water quality. Chairman Cahalane indicated that the aeration appeared to be the only viable option at this time. Mr. Petersen referenced a recent Enterprise article regarding the dam, its creation of the pond and the need for repairs and creation of a fish ladder. Mr. Petersen added that the Army Corps of Engineers has supported the removal of dams so that fish would have a natural access to their breeding area. Mr. Petersen expressed concern about the costs for the circulators and the dam and questioned the possibility of removing the dam to resolve some of the issues. Mr. York responded that the dam was functioning, but was in a state of disrepair, and