2009-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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_.I i second consultant, Lombardo Associates, Inc. (Final Report in July 2008), based on neighborhood "cluster" systems using Septic Tank Effluent Pump (STEP) sewers and "Nitrex" wastewater treatment technology for smaller clusters or other treatment technologies for larger clusters (over 100,000 gallons per day). Cost estimates for the cluster scenario were significantly lower than those for more traditional sewer systems, primarily due to the lower cost of the STEP sewer collection system. All of the scenarios were submitted to the UMass-Dartmouth School of Marine Science & Technology (SMaST) to be tested for their effectiveness in meeting the TMDLs using the MEP models. The results of the model runs were presented at the Commission's meetings in November and December 2009. As 2010 begins, the next task for the Commission, our consultants and our Community Advisory Committee will be to refine the most promising of the scenarios, or combinations of them, for more detailed development, review and costing. It is anticipated that 2 or 3 such scenarios will be developed, run through the models and reviewed for capital and long-term operating costs, management issues and public acceptance before a final selection is made and a final draft of the Watershed Nitrogen Management Plan is completed and submitted for required county and state review and approval. It is hoped that, barring further unforeseen delays, that submission will be made by the end of 2010. ; It should be noted that the scenarios highlight our need to identify and reserve parcels of land for sewage pumping stations, treatment plants and discharge areas, as well as the major costs that will be involved in sewering the town. Mashpee has serious work cut out for it over the next few years to identify funding and financing strategies and priorities related to developing the facilities that will be needed to meet the TMDLs and clean up our waterways. As one potential strategy for dealing with funding and development of sewer facilities in the most cost-effective way, discussions have been held with the Water District and Selectmen with regard to potential expansion of the District's role to include sewer facilities. The Town of Dennis and Dennis Water District have decided on that same approach and have filed legislation to turn the Dennis '"' Water District into a water and sewer district. To date, no consensus has emerged regarding that option in Mashpee, which is strongly supported by the Sewer Commission. However, organizational and financial issues will have to be a key part of work on the final Plan and public j discussion on its implementation. In addition to the five scenarios developed by Mashpee, the Town of Falmouth has initiated discussions about development of a large regional wastewater treatment plant on a site adjacent to the existing treatment plant on the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR), involving some sort of regional arrangement with Mashpee, Sandwich and Bourne. The Commission has ° indicated an interest in considering that approach for a portion of our wastewater needs if it f" becomes feasible and cost-effective for Mashpee. Our consultants also began work on identifying and testing potential sites for discharging treated wastewater. There are four primary sites under consideration, in addition to smaller sites associated with the cluster scenario, as well as existing sites currently used by the Town's eight private sewer systems. The Selectmen provided their approval of test wells and pits on the three ; Town-owned sites, located on Ashumet Road, Red Brook Road and adjacent to the Transfer Station (the fourth is a privately-owned site under the New Seabury Golf Course), but work had . to be halted when the State Archaeologist demanded an intensive archaeological survey of the transfer station site and the State Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) remapped the site as endangered species habitat. The Commission received an $8000 proposal y for the archaeological work at the Transfer Station site, but has put the site testing program on 195 q E"