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16 Great Neck Road North <br />Mashpee, .Massachusetts 02649 <br />for Clinton, Ma from 1982-1989, the wastewater treatment plant was inadequate and needed a <br />complete build out, as mandated from the Clean Water Act of 1972. Clinton sits on the south which <br />makes its way into Boston Harbor. Not only were they tasked with the buildout of their facility, but <br />working in tandem on a sister project removing sludge from the town of Clinton's landfill. The town of <br />Clinton had pipes in the ground, a population of 13,000, spanning 5.4 miles. Mashpee is 27.2 miles with <br />a fairly smaller population. We are on the ocean. What he is seeing here in Mashpee is reminding him <br />of that entire process. While we may only be arguing phase one, with phase two up in the air, he is <br />concerned about the rest, not phase one or two. There is a serious nutrient loading problem in this <br />town. It is a difficult topic to abbreviate. <br />Ms. Waygan inquired if this should be an agenda item for next time. <br />Ms. Faulkner would like Mr. Colombo to briefly explain what the nutrient loading mechanism is. <br />Mr. Colombo would like to speak as a Conservation Commission member now. There was a <br />presentation given by Glen Harrington, Mashpee Health Agent, titled Reducing Nutrient Loading. The <br />Select Board, in collaboration with the Board of Health and Conservation Commission, are looking for <br />the entire Town of Mashpee to be declared a nitrogen sensitive area. We have not had good water in <br />20 years. There is a provision in the Title 5 code that addresses nitrogen sensitive areas. Then we <br />need to consider parts of Mashpee that are close to water sources. Those areas will not not get sewer <br />in phase one, two, or three, but maybe phase four. This will be a long and expensive process that he <br />will not live to see to completion. This is the dawn of an era for this town where the water will start to <br />clean up. He made a motion to request this as an open agenda item, this is an item that will not go <br />away until resolved, much like the Redbrook culvert. He has not heard back yet. Wetlands have to be <br />managed differently when it comes to nitrogen loading. With the Innovative Alternative Septic System, <br />Title 5 does nothing for the problem we are in now. Climate changes are occurring and sea levels are <br />rising. In Mashpee, as sea levels rise so does ground water. The sea could increase one foot while <br />groundwater increases five feet. Septic systems will not be addressed in phase one or two, we have to <br />buckle down as a community. We are the ones that have to live here. <br />Ms. Waygan asked if the agenda item should read nitrogen sensitive area. She would love to learn <br />more. She would like materials in her packet for the next meeting. <br />Mr. Balzarini asked why we don't talk about phosphate. <br />Mr. Colombo commented the technology is advancing quickly, ten years ago innovative septic did not <br />work. Phosphorous is problematic on freshwater and nitrogen is the enemy on saltwater. <br />Mr. Hansen supports this movement. Where is the MA Green Initiative? Where does this integrate with <br />the towns certifications as a green community for energy? <br />14 <br />