07/17/2023 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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7 Mashpee Select Board Minutes July 17, 2023 APPOINTMENTS & HEARINGS Public Comment: (continued) Glenn McCarthy also expressed appreciation to the Select Board in moving forward with sewering mindful in support of all Mashpee waters. What is missing from the discussion is Waquoit Bay, in the 2015 Plan, and that needs to be addressed. The State requires a mandate on both bays. Water quality testing in Waquoit Bay is dire. Citing a Letter to the Editor from Donald Barton published last Friday, the Waquoit Bay waters are in a state of abandonment. A no sewering plan represents pure catastrophe. Rick Otis, President of the Citizens for the Protection of Waquoit Bay congratulated the Select Board for undertaking the sewering project. Understanding the process Mr. Otis indicated it appears the 2015 Plan is completely absent of Waquoit Bay. It was highly recommended the Town of Mashpee meet with the Town of Falmouth to agree on responsibilities. This includes the Moonakis River, Quashnet River and Waquoit Bay. Many people are no longer unhappy, they are angry. Linda Smith stated the stormwater is polluting to the river. At the mouth of the river there is a parking lot from the herring run to the museum. With a heavy rain, the untreated water from Lake Avenue goes right into the river. Ms. Smith recommended that additional catch basins be installed in this area. State Representative David Viera; State Senator Susan Moran: State Representative David Vieira was in attendance with State Senator Susan Moran during the notable discussion regarding Mashpee Watershed Nitrogen Management Plan (2015) and action taken by the Select Board and Sewer Commission for clean water. Representative Vieira affirmed the maximum annual allotment under the 2023 Intended Use Plan (IUP) is $54 million. It was noted the Town of Yarmouth project; $207 million received an IUP of $50 million. The North Reading project; $107 million received $50 million. Sudbury and Lawrence also have received SRF funding for projects in excess of $50 million. It was agreed the Town of Mashpee should get in line, get ready and get approved. It is likely the Town would receive $50 million and another $50 million the year after. The key is to meet the application deadline by noon on August 11, 2023. It was recommended the Town complete the application as soon as possible using the legislators as a resource to assist the Town Manager. There are other grant opportunities such as MassWorks grant funding that would assist privately owned treatment facilities to upgrade and increase capacity. An additional source is the Community One Stop for Growth grant. These opportunities are above and beyond the 0% SRF loan. Both legislators agreed they would help to push this project over the finish line for Mashpee. It was noted the current sewer project does not require betterments. However, as the Town moves forward with additional sewering and betterment assessments there are further opportunities at 0%. Utilizing Chapter 1 of the Acts of 2016 is another tool for the tool box requiring a vote of Town Meeting for no interest betterment loans.