01/12/2023 SEWER COMMISSION Minutes (2)

Home Browse Search

MINUTES MASHPEE BOARD OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS THURSDAY JANUARY 12, 2023, 2:00 p.m. MASHPEE TOWN HALL WAQUOIT MEETING ROOM 16 GREAT NECK ROAD NORTH MASHPEE, MA 02649 *In-person, televised meeting* Present: Chairman, Chad Smith (via Zoom), Vice-Chair, Meredith Harris (via Zoom), Clerk, Catherine Castaneda (via Zoom), Interim Town Engineer, Ray Jack, Phyllis Sprout, Al Towle Other attendees: Don Barton, Monomoscoy Road Richard Klein, Asher’s Path West Sandra Tripp, GHD Absent: Joe Lyons 2:00PM – Convene Meeting Chairman, Chad Smith called the meeting to order at 2:00PM in open session at Mashpee Town Hall, Waquoit Meeting Room. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MOMENT OF SILENCE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Mr. Klein made a Public Comment referring to the waters of Mashpee being referred to as a “Toxic Stew”. Mr. Klein expressed concern for the tourist industry, tax base, the health of the Citizens and home values. He proposed a moratorium on permits for single family homes and additional bedrooms to existing single family homes and that he would like that there be an exception only for permits on Affordable Housing construction. Mr. Barton made a presentation expressing concern that the Waquoit Bay area cannot wait until 2045 (Phase 5) for sewer services. He stated that the Shellfish Program itself won’t stem the contamination in the Bay and that by 2045 the fragile marine life in Waquoit Bay and surrounding waters will likely be extinct. It was suggested that the Town shut down and empty all cesspools, inspect all septic systems for compliance and require a mandatory cleanout period on septic systems and ban any use of fertilizers containing phosphorous. Mr. Barton stated that the Town should consider posing a building moratorium new structures in close proximity to service water until the phosphorous TMDL target is met. 1