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developing a memorandum of understanding with the towns contributing nitrogen to the Popponessett and <br /> Waquoit Bay watersheds. <br /> Chairman Fudala questioned how Mashpee's CWMP process relates to the County wastewater <br /> management process. Mr. Gottlieb indicated that there should be no conflict other than current projects in <br /> Chatham and Barnstable that had been funded on the SRF list:and that may not be prepared to meet new <br /> conditions. Mr. Gottlieb felt that a project in process should be reviewed to address regional questions. <br /> Mr. Gottlieb noted that the County plan is to provide an overview and context with which towns should <br /> be thinking of their plans to allow for consistency of review. The Chair highlighted Mashpee's effort to <br /> address wastewater management on a watershed basis and questioned how to incorporate Mashpee's input <br /> into the plan. Mr. Gottlieb recommended that Mashpee attend the watershed meetings to review the <br /> existing plan for the watershed and offer comments. The Chair expressed concern that a plan had been <br /> developed with no town input and Mr. Gottlieb responded that the plan is a guiding principle to be used to <br /> develop a framework to encourage towns to work together, adding that not all towns have been as active <br /> as Mashpee. Mr. Gottlieb added that the plan's intent is to encourage all towns to take responsibility for <br /> their share of the nitrogen load to the watershed. <br /> Mr. Marcelli questioned working on two fronts due to the potential of lawsuits and the need to pursue a <br /> regional approach. Mr. Gottlieb responded that a town developing a watershed based plan that addresses <br /> Mashpee's load responsibility and assigns responsibility to the other towns would be in a good position in <br /> the event of an adverse court decision because a plan would be in place. Mr. Gottlieb added that without <br /> the assistance of neighboring towns, issues can not be adequately solved within a particular watershed. <br /> Mr. Malarkey questioned the benefits of regionalization and questioned the availability of data that <br /> confirms cost savings of approximately 541/o. Mr. Gottlieb responded that an analyses had been <br /> completed suggesting that if every town on the Cape managed their own treatment and collection, the cost <br /> estimate would total $8 billion. Should the towns manage treatment on a watershed basis, the estimated <br /> cost drops to $3 billion, although it does not address the size or scale of systems utilized. Additional <br /> information is available on the Cape Cod Water Protection Collaborative website at <br /> www.capekeepers.org. Mr. Malarkey expressed concern about the lawsuit and pursuit of a two pronged <br /> approach, town wide and region wide. Mr. Gottlieb emphasized that developing a plan on a regional basis <br /> is the right approach and the most cost effective option for the town and requires less work when <br /> cooperating with neighboring towns. Mr. Gottlieb added that the Conservation Law Foundation does not <br /> pursue frivolous litigation and wishes to achieve significant public policy outcome through litigation. <br /> Mr. Lyons clarified that Mr. Gottlieb is referring to regionalization within the watershed. Mr. Lyons <br /> noted that Mr. Gottlieb was not suggesting three large sewer plants with towns piping in their effluent, but <br /> instead towns surrounding the watershed would address their contributions to the watershed. Chairman <br /> Fudala confirmed that Mashpee's plan has specifically incorporated the Popponessett Bay watershed and <br /> Eastern Waquoit Bay watershed and noted that the DEP Pilot Project was intended to identify the fair <br /> share costs of the three towns contributing to the Popponessett watershed. The Chair added that the <br /> Commission's 5 scenarios included consideration of neighboring towns. The Chair also emphasized the <br /> need for work to begin on the MOU negotiation between the towns and to determine each town's share of <br /> the overall plan in order to determine costs. Chairman Fudala noted that a scenario run without towns <br /> working together resulted in no significant increase in cast. Mr. Gottlieb described a study in Orleans, <br /> Eastham and Brewster that resulted in a 20% cost reduction when working cooperatively. Mr. Gottlieb <br /> added that savings can be realized not only with capital costs but also with operational costs. Chairman <br /> Fudala informed Mr. Gottlieb that Mashpee Sewer Commission contacts with other towns have been <br /> identified and that the Community Advisory Committee includes members from the adjacent towns. <br /> 3 <br />