01/14/2019 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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5 Board of Selectmen Minutes January 14,2019 As a general rule, where there is tidal change, there is flush. The areas south of Route 28 require the most nitrogen remediation. On the north side,there are lesser concentrations of nitrogen and in the western and southern areas of the Cape the same challenges are noted. With regards to Cape towns moving forward with sewering,the Town of Falmouth is moving forward modestly. The Town of Barnstable has little sewered while Chatham has highly advanced in sewering. The Town of Mashpee is moving forward in the right direction and will soon mirror some of the Cape towns that are progressing steadily. Ron Bonvie commented on Best Management Practices (BMP's). In storznwater management, there is a lack of maintenance or the lack of ability to require maintenance. Nitrogen reduction areas are now becoming nitrogen producing areas. Grass areas are being fertilized and there is no plan for maintenance in perpetuity to capture nitrogen to accomplish what is intended. It was recommended the stormwater BMP areas be further reviewed and monitored very closely. Mr, Balzarini asked of costs associated to monitoring and of methods to remove 100% of the nitrogen from the ecosystem without a sewer system. It was noted that monitoring is a long-term process that is ongoing. Costs are being shared with other communities, and agreements stipulate requirements for long-term monitoring. A town is responsible for the costs associated to monitoring. Discharge to standard is the responsibility of the permittee and it is the responsibility of the public to remain in compliance with permitting. Sewering is an effective approach in removing nitrogen from groundwater. The Cape Cod Commission is responsible for Developments of Regional Impact(DRI's), and is seeking no net increase in nitrogen. A town and its regulatory boards are also required to make the determination with new development as it relates to nitrogen mitigation. With the use of JBCC,the connection and discharge would be differ as the facility lies within a less fragile environment and would not have to treat effluent to the limits of standard. In reviewing the watershed map Planning Board member Mary Waygan asked what areas would have the capacity for discharge for a new and/or existing development and of the cost association. The analysis studied the areas for the treatment and how to address treatment and collection. Although specific costs were not determined,it was noted collection and piping consume nearly 70% of the costs related to wastewater treatments systems. In areas of space constraints, a higher level of treatment is required, and the cost per home would thus increase.