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5 <br /> that the majority of the funding would come from the federal government. Mr. York suggested <br /> that removing the dam may create thicker algae blooms. Mr. Petersen responded that a wetland <br /> area would be created to assist in absorbing the phosphorus. Mr. York stated that the circulators <br /> were a good solution now to address the toxic algae. Chairman Cahalane suggested the need to <br /> try something and also to monitor the other ponds for potential problems. There was discussion <br /> about Ashumet Pond and the use of alum to treat the pond. Mr. York described the differences <br /> which allowed treatment using alum, noting that Ashumet pond was deeper than Santuit Pond. <br /> Mr. York provided Committee members with the Mashpee portion of the Cape Cod Pond and <br /> Lake Atlas, adding that Mashpee had the second largest and deepest pond, Mashpee-Wakeby. <br /> The report includes total phosphorus numbers and Mr. York reported that, in 2001, Santuit Pond <br /> had 18 micrograms per liter but that it was novo 90 micrograms per liter. Mr. York reported that <br /> the Department of Health had been testing the algae blooms' toxicity since 2008, detecting low <br /> level toxins or a false positive last year. Mr. York stated that Mashpee, the Tribe and SMaST <br /> were continuing to monitor the pond, adding that once the circulators were installed, continued <br /> monitoring would determine the effectiveness of the circulator. Chairman Cahalane expressed <br /> his interest in leasing the equipment. Mr. York suggested that leasing to purchase would be a <br /> good option if the circulators were needed for a long term solution. <br /> Mr. York made a motion to recommend approval of the Article. Chairman Cahalane <br /> seconded the motion. <br /> W. Petersen suggested his preference that the RFP include other technologies to address the <br /> problem. Chairman Cahalane referenced an initial possibility of the Tribal Natural Resources <br /> Department funding a dredging project in the Pond. Chairman Cahalane stated the need to do <br /> something to address the issues in the Pond. Mr. York stated that leasing the circulators would <br /> reduce the risk. Mr. York discussed the winter and summer algae blooms, suggesting that if the <br /> circulators were installed by May, the phosphorus could be locked in time for the summer and it <br /> should be known within one season whether or not the circulators would be effective. <br /> All voted unanimously. <br /> #18 Pickerel Cove-The Article was seeking recreational improvements to the Pickerel Cover <br /> Recreational Area in the amount of$64,160. <br /> Mr. York made a motion to recommend approval. Mr. Petersen seconded the motion. All <br /> voted unanimously. <br /> Chairman Cahalane reported that he would announce the Environmental Oversight Committee's <br /> recommendations to the Board of Selectmen. <br /> #24 Sale and Application of Lawn Fertilizer-The Article had been moved by petition, through <br /> the work of the Friends of Santuit Pond. Chairman Cahalane stated that although he would like <br /> to support the Article, it presented many challenges in enforcement issues. The Chair indicated <br /> that the Board of Selectmen would take no stance. W. York stated that the bylaw was not a <br /> prohibition of fertilizer and noted the exemptions in Section S. Mr. York added that rather than <br /> focusing on enforcement, he saw the bylaw as a means to educate Mashpee residents, noting that <br /> it would limit the amount of fertilizer entering the water. Mr. Petersen stated that he did not <br /> support the Article but agreed that residents should be educated about fertilizer use. Mr. <br /> 2 <br />