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Cahalan has been in contact with the BOS. Ms. Kane announced that the MEC will spearhead a <br /> petition article for the October town meeting to request $15,000 for the project and is hoping for <br /> support from the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Waygan distributed a copy of grant funding resources from <br /> Phil Burt of the County Resource Office, a copy of which is attached. Ms. Waygan suggested <br /> forwarding the list to the BOS for their support to pursue the grants. Mr. Burt has the background <br /> information from the Textron Grant and is ready to pursue the grants. Ms. Waygan will forward the <br /> information.to Town Manger Joyce Mason and Chairman Cahalane will follow up. Mr. Burt may wish <br /> to speak with Ms. Kane about the project and letters of recommendation may be needed. <br /> Ms. Kane intends to have the book completed by the end of the year with plans to distribute it to <br /> residents as well as to provide copies to schools, the library, Town Hall and to visitors. Committee <br /> members discussed the importance and benefits of people learning to care for the environment and the <br /> ways in which household measures can help save money in the town. Mr. York's oyster project was <br /> sited as an example of a method that helps reduce nitrogen in the area where they are located. <br /> OLD BUSINESS <br /> Santuit Pond <br /> Mr. York reported that, during recent sampling, he noticed the pond's appearance was improved over <br /> the previous year during the same time and currently appears to be clear. Blue-green algae have <br /> appeared at the landing and Mr. York expects a bloom during the summer. The Chair reported that <br /> Ms. Waygan forwarded the Committee's study results comments to Ms. Mason, which will then be <br /> forwarded to AECOM. The Chair questioned whether or not the Committee would authorize the <br /> outstanding payment of$I6,400 to AECOM with the final amount to be paid upon delivery of the final <br /> report. <br /> Committee members discussed issues related to the dam as a result of recent heavy rainfall. Mr. York <br /> reported that the Santuit Pond dam had been selected for the Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration <br /> Project, Mr. Baker expressed his concern about the height of the water level, adding that pond water is <br /> flowing overland to an adjacent cranberry bog and maintaining the area as a pond. Chairman Cahalane <br /> read a letter from Conservation Agent Andrew McManus in response to Mr. Baker's letter and stating <br /> that Santuit Pond was 3" below the normal level and that no additional boards could be pulled without <br /> threatening juvenile herring. Mr. York confirmed that the grant was needed to rebuild the structure <br /> because fish were dying further adding that the contract would be signed soon, requiring the work to be <br /> completed by December 2011. Mr. Baker suggested that screening would be an immediate solution <br /> along with the creation of a resting pool at the bottom of the dam. Mr. York agreed that a temporary <br /> structure could be an option but that the dam needs to be properly rebuilt. Mr. Baker also expressed <br /> concern that a higher pond level will result in pond damage, adding nutrients to the water and reducing <br /> the separation between the septic infiltration devices and the ground water. Mr. York noted that <br /> Weston& Sampson inspects the dam and submits reports. The Chair questioned who served as <br /> contact for the project and Mr. York responded that Mr. McManus was the Herring Warden <br /> responsible for maintaining the ponds for the herring. Mr. York further stated that, due to heavy rains, <br /> the pond had increased in volume but that it was now 4 inches lower. It was suggested that Mr. <br /> McManus be contacted for more information. <br /> Regarding the AECOM study results, the Chair suggested final decisions about recommendations be <br /> delayed until the final draft of the report is received. EOC comments have been forwarded to <br /> AECOM. Mr. Baker did not feel that recommendations would change in the final report. Mr. Baker <br /> recently attended a Santuit Friends meeting where support was expressed for the Solar Bee system but <br /> questioned the effectiveness of the bubbler system due to the need for electrical service. The group <br /> also agreed that dredging would be too expensive and alum was not favored. Santuit Friends also <br /> 3 <br />