02/01/2021 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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3 Board of Selectmen Minutes February 1, 2021 Discussion of Wastewater Plan: (continued) With the 95% design submittal in July,the target bid date is November 2021. The Phase I timeline estimates a two-year construction schedule beginning in the spring of 2022. It is projected the system would be fully operational by 2025. Discussion followed with regards to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund(CWSRF) guidelines within the application process. To maintain on target for the State loan, it is necessary for the Town to appropriate funding at town meeting, obtain an authorized debt exclusion and establish a Flow Neutral Bylaw. All borrowing documents for this project would be prepared by the Treasurer/Tax Collector. With respect to the CWSRF loan process, it was disclosed the MassDEP has published their draft Intended Use Plan(IUP) for the CWSRF program. The draft list has placed the Town of Mashpee as the highest rated project on the Cape. It is thus anticipated a 0% interest loan would be achieved. To conform to the mandates of the CWSRF loan and its process,two performance criteria must be in place before funding is secured. The Town of Mashpee is required to commit to the entirety of the wastewater project. This includes the authorization of a debt exclusion to be approved by June 2021 to incur the debt obligation. The loan application must be submitted by the municipality by October 15, 2021. To maintain the current schedule and to meet the performance deadlines for CWSRF funding, it was recommended the Town Planner determine what is required in terms of zoning to meet a no net flow determination. It was noted the Towns of Chatham, Falmouth,Harwich,Provincetown and Barnstable have all obtained 0% CWSRF loans after meeting the performance criteria. The wastewater project also meets the threshold requirement to receive monies from the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund(CCIWPF). The CCIWPF is a part of the CWSRF. It's management board grants subsidies to municipalities for water pollution abatement projects undertaken by member communities. This includes critical wastewater infrastructure and water quality remediation projects. After receiving the Intended Use Plan and notification of eligibility, the CCIWPF determines the "subsidy percentage"to apply to the principal of the CWSRF loan. In considering the additional monies that may be received from the CCIWPF the average cost assumption to the taxpayer would be considerably less than projected. Town Manager Rodney C. Collins indicated that Town Counsel is currently working on the language required for the Town Meeting articles and related ballot question. A brief discussion followed regarding the Town's Comprehensive Wastewater Nitrogen Management Plan and special permit requirements. It was recommended that additional comments from the Sewer Commission be forwarded to the Town Manager.