3/5/2018 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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5 Board of Selectmen Minutes March 5, 201 Meetinghouse Treatment_Plant:, (continued) The Town of Mashpee is currently working on a comprehensive wastewater management plan to bring forth acceptable clean water levels, and it is important for the Town to develop an understanding of the discharge levels from the Meetinghouse Treatment Plant on Trust lands for planning purposes. It is hopeful the Tribal wastewater treatment plant on Meetinghouse Road could be expanded to help the Tows.of Mashpee and to allow for greater flow. It is the intention of the Tribe to ensure there is a buffer to this system. If'there was an expansion, it would assist the next phase of the project, but it is possible the Town could tie into the treatment plant. It was agreed this natter requires further conversation as the project enfolds. Joint Pursuit of Economic and wastewater Pro`ects It was further agreed that both entitles have a keen interest in protecting the Town's resources in the reduction of nitrogen in the bays. The Ma.shpee wampan.oa Tribe is presently working with the Town on shared resource management projects including the collection of water quality measurements Of note was the collaborative effort of the Town and Tribe in the construction of an artificial oyster reef in Shoestring Bay which has produced a natural set of oysters. This project has received national recognition. Also notable is the shellfish grant in Ockway Bay which began as a test site has drastically reduced nitrogen in this ernbayrnent. The Tribe has the ability to apply for Federal funds under Chapters 319, 10 6 and 105 for water quality and Fater testing and is open to pursue economic and wastewater projects with the Town of Mashpee. Availabilily of Tribal Grants for Joint Pro'cets: There opportunities available for the Tribe and Town to apply for joint prof ects to receive grant funding. The Tribe and Town may benefit from the Tribal grants which are available for air quality measures, roadwork and educational programming. An Indian Rural Roads Department grant program is available to fund roadwork projects. Some of which require access to off pavement roads. The Tribe was noted to have recently participated in a grant funded study of the eastern corridor. There is also grant funding for the development of a Ranger program. To qualify for funding, obstacles such as gates would be required to be removed to allow for access. .historic partnership has been formed with the IIashpee School District by bringing the wampanoag language program into the schools. This type of learning environment is now considered at the congressional level to serge as a model for other communities. Possible grant funding initiatives include the use of Chapter 90 road funds, water quality iniprovements, and educational programs including access to lands It was agreed a myriad of grants would be applied for jointly. These initiatives would also help to build trust between the entities.