2/9/2010 SEWER COMMISSION Minutes

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r challenge to meeting the TMDL thresholds.. Mr. Eichner further noted that excess removal has occurred in other watersheds, so it would make sense to remove more from Mashpee River and Quashnet River to place in the other watersheds. Mr. Fudala responded that the eitluent relocation pipeline proposed to remove wastewater from Mashpee Commons, Windchime, South Cape Village and other areas would assist with that goal. Mr. Fudala added that Falmouth will be sewering another watershed area that will include Seconsett Island. Mr. Howes also stated that other areas will experience relief if Falmouth sewers additional areas around Waquoit. Mr. Gregg noted the difficulty of balancing nitrogen removal and discharge when the three largest recharge sites in Mashpee are located in the wrong areas, such as Mashpee River and Quashnet River. Mr. Fudala agreed that all sites present challenges, but the pipeline and the Transfer Station offer the most viable options for discharge in that area. Mr. Eichner suggested that the balancing act included the level of treatment in order to achieve the targets. Mr. Fudala added that the presumed treatment assumes 3 for the GHD scenarios and 3.75 for the Lombardo scenario. Mr. Howes added that if 90%of the nitrogen is removed,the water could be returned to the Mashpee River. It was also suggested that it could be more cost effective to move the discharge elsewhere, such as with the pipeline. Mr. Fudala questioned the Shoestring Bay watershed and the Santuit Pond watershed and their ability to accept increased discharge,adding that Willowbend offers an alternative. Mr. Howes responded that there was headroom available in Shoestring Bay and that Santuit Pond and the Willowbend Golf Course offer some attenuation. The group discussed the possibility of expanding discharge possibilities at the golf course. The group also discussed the possibility of using a site located north of John's Pond for discharge. Mr. Howes suggested prioritizing the projects because the Commission would not want to begin discharging if the location is not a priority, such as the area around Ashumet Pond. Mr. Gregg added that sewering those areas may be a low priority because they were the lowest bang for the buck, but they may need to be included in order to meet the TMDL. Scenario 4 included a whole area of recharge with sewering. Mr. Fudala suggested the discharge area be located ahead of the pond to improve attenuation, further noting that the Town has land available in the John's Pond area. Mr. Howes discussed phosphorus removal and the presence of higher levels seasonally. Mr. Gregg noted the balancing act and the need to consider future conditions based on future Town changes and growth. Mr. Fudala stated that the Town.will need to develop a Growth Neutral By-Law in order to qualify for State funds. Mr. Gregg confirmed that the scenarios runs included future flows with the intent to balance existing flows with provisions for future flows. Mr. Fudala referenced the future conditions loading and average wastewater nitrogen loading per planning zone map noting that the red areas signified intense loads at buildout conditions. Mr. Fudala suggested focusing on the Town's system with discharge north of the pond, or sending discharge to Falmouth,which would then be returned to Mashpee. Mr. Fudala added that a site north of the pond would be a good location if the MMR treatment facility was developed. Mr. Gregg questioned whether or not new scenarios should be run. Mr. Howes responded that scenarios could be run to determine how much headroom would be available if the discharge areas were pulled out and addressed elsewhere. Mr. Fudala announced that the Cape Cod Commission has released an RFP for a State grant for direct local technical assistance. The Town of Mashpee has submitted a request that the County fund a mediator responsible for coordinating and fostering municipal cooperation for towns' efforts on Cape to meet the TMDLs. 3