12/02/2019 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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7 Board of Selectmen Minutes December 2, 2019 Follow up Discussion on New Bedford Waste Services Contract: Town Manager Rodney Collins: (continued) Motion made by Selectman Sherman to reject the price increase of$93.75 per ton from New Bedford Waste Services (NBWS) and authorize the Town Manager to work with Town Counsel to develop reasonable options for disposal as well as guidance to evaluate the alternatives. Motion seconded by Selectman O'Hara. VOTE: Unanimous. 5-0. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Gottlieb,yes Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman O'Hara,yes Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Weeden,yes Opposed, none Discussion of Santuit Pond and Strategy to Address Condition: Health Agent Glen Harrington, Conservation Agent Andrew McManus, Department of Natural Resources Director Richard York: Members of the Board of Selectmen met with Richard York, Director of Natural Resources, Glen Harrington, Board of Health Agent and Andrew McManus, Conservation Agent to discuss the status of Santuit Pond and to strategize to address conditions regarding public safety and water quality. The Mashpee Department of Health has posted public health advisories at Santuit Pond due to cyanobacteria bloom (blue-green algae) unsafe for people and pets. Conditions posted advise the public not to swim, not to swallow water, to keep animals away and to rinse off after contact with water. Richard York, Director of Natural Resources discussed the PowerPoint presentation prepared by the referenced departments on this matter. (enclosure) The Solar Bee water circulators effectively controlled the blooms until nutrients including phosphorus in runoff from the watershed from an extreme rain event in 2017 caused the blooms to return. Mr. York indicated the microcytic species of the cyanobacteria are the most toxic. Results taken from the AECOM Diagnostic Study of Santuit Pond reveal the following statistics; phosphorus loading summary; 78% of phosphorus deriving from internal sources,the bottom sediment in the pond. To eliminate the phosphorus coming from the bottom mud, 78% of the target would need to be removed. Other factors include direct precipitation 5%, septic systems 5%, surface run off 5%, groundwater 3%, cranberry bog 3% and waterfowl 1%.