09/18/2025 SEWER COMMISSION Minutes

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Town of Mashpee Sewer Commission t 16 Great Neck Road North Mashpee, MA 02649 a. Commissioners noted that this was exciting news, given prior difficulties with recharge locations.The site holds promise,though officials remained cautious until further evaluations confirm its viability.The location is in the Waquoit Bay watershed, near the upper portion targeted for sewer expansion, but exact details were kept vague due to the early stage of the process. 2. The second study focused on whether the town should consider acquiring private wastewater facilities, specifically Southport and Willowbend. Initial findings suggest that purchasing and upgrading these systems would not be a sound financial investment, largely because parts of both facilities are aging and would require significant upgrades to meet modern standards. a. A complicating factor is that the state is signaling its intent to lower allowable nitrogen discharge limits from 10 milligrams per liter to 5.This would force facilities to undergo substantial upgrades regardless of ownership.The Commission discussed options, noting that Mashpee could buy and rebuild the sites, repurpose them as treatment or recharge locations, or leave them in private hands. For now, no final decisions have been made, but cost remains the central obstacle. 3. The third study centers on a treatment and collection evaluation for the Waquoit Bay watershed. A tentative site for a new treatment facility has been identified,with the collection system coordinated to align with the updated sewer phasing plan. Recharge evaluation work is continuing and will be discussed in further detail. Both Popponesset Bay and Waquoit Bay require completed recharge evaluations as part of the long-term nitrogen reduction strategy. Recharge Capacity Goals and Site Evaluations The discussion turned to the need for increased recharge capacity, particularly in Popponesset Bay.The current site has eight sand beds, which are already handling flows higher than the state's minimum allowable limits. Commissioners expressed interest in expanding capacity at this location to accommodate higher flows, noting that achieving this may require additional recharge evaluations and potentially pilot testing to demonstrate to the state that the site can safely accept an increased volume. Officials emphasized that such field testing would help validate the feasibility of expansion while maintaining compliance with state requirements. For Waquoit Bay,the challenge lies in identifying a recharge site closer to the proposed plant.The current candidate site is farther away than ideal, which would increase pumping requirements and associated costs.Alternative sites are under consideration,with preference for locations offering shorter conveyance distances to minimize both energy use and operational complexity. Commissioners noted that while the current site is viable, identifying a site closer to the plant would optimize efficiency and reduce long-term costs. Consideration of the Cell Tower Site and Temporary Use Mr. Lyons inquired about the cell tower site on Redbrook Road, a ten-acre parcel without current restrictions. It was explained that the site remains a potential option for future recharge use, but it is temporarily being utilized by other town entities for equipment storage related to the new police station construction.This temporary use is not expected to preclude future development of a recharge facility. A potential complication identified at this site is its proximity to the PFAS plume migrating south from Joint Base Cape Cod. Maps indicate the site may fall within the plume's area, introducing regulatory and technical challenges. Mr. Meader noted that while the presence of the plume does not automatically