Back to Wastewater Master Planning Committee Meeting Minutes
MARCH 30, 2005
A meeting of the Hingham Comprehensive Wastewater Master Plan Committee (Committee) was held on March 30, 2005 in the South Hearing Room, 210 Central St. Hingham, MA. The meeting was called to order by Dr. Shilts at 7:07pm.
MEMBERS PRESENT Kirk Shilts, Board of Health, Chairman pro-tem
Gene Babin, Conservation Commission
John Brandt, Sewer Commission
Iris Daigle
Richard (Skip) Hull
John Riley, Planning Board
Roger Sullivan, Water Supply Committee
OFFICIALS PRESENT Thomas Morgan, VP, Camp Dresser & McKee Inc.
David Polcari, Camp Dresser & McKee Inc.
AGENDA Dr. Shilts reviewed the draft agenda with the Committee.
Thereafter, it was accepted without additions.
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE Dr. Shilts asked to postpone the scheduled selection of a committee Chairman and recording Secretary until the next scheduled meeting.
Thereafter, no opposition was raised.
MINUTES Dr. Shilts reviewed the draft minutes from the February 17, 2005 meeting.
Thereafter, a MOTION was made by Mr. Hull and Seconded by Mr. Brandt and it was VOTED;
To approve the minutes of February 17, 2005 as presented.
REPORT FOR 2005 TOWN MEETING The Committee reviewed a draft report describing the activities of the committee to be included within the 2004 Hingham Town Report, which will be distributed during the 2005 Town Meeting.
Thereafter, a MOTION was made by Mr. Brandt and Seconded by Mr. Riley and it was VOTED;
To approve the report as drafted.
COMPREHENSIVE WASTEWATER
MASTER PLAN (CWMP)
STATE FUNDING ISSUES Mr. Polcari updated the Committee as to the current status of CWMP funding from the State revolving fund. He reported that the funds were approved on March 18th and available on June 15, 2005.
PROJECT TIMETABLES Mr. Polcari reviewed the CWMP process with the Committee. He stated that the plan is divided into two components. Phase-1 will involve an anticipated three-months of data collection followed by a series of public meeting/workshops and conclude with the submission of an Environmental Notification Form application (ENF) to the state. Phase-2 will include developing a proposed action plan for the town based on what is learned from the phase-1 process.
CWMP PURPOSE Mr. Brandt reminded the Committee that the purpose of the CWMP is two-fold. It includes a state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requirement that a CWMP be completed prior to any sewer expansion within Hingham, and a Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) requirement that additional expansion of MWRA sewer service in Hingham involve a single request inclusive a comprehensive town-wide plan.
Furthermore, Mr. Brandt stated that Hingham is presently the only town within the MWRA system to be only partially sewered, and that the current ‘piece-meal’ approach of gradually adding Hingham properties to the MWRA sewer system has become unacceptable to the MWRA.
TOWN OF HINGHAM
METCALF & EDDY SEWER STUDY The Committee discussed the 1983 Town of Hingham Metcalf & Eddy sewer study. Mr. Polcari explained that this prior study would not meet the current DEP standard as outlined within the state’s 1996 CWMP guide. He delineated a number of essential issues that the 1983 study did not address.
Water balance management
Recharging of the water supply aquifer
Population projections
Title 5 changes/ updates
MWRA vs. (prior) MDC sewer connection processes
Nutrient contents of sewer effluent
PROPOSED SCOPE OF SERVICES Mr. Polcari briefly reviewed a few of the topics that the proposed scope of services would be investigating for this project.
Thereafter, the Committee requested that every member be sent their own copy of the proposed scope of services.
Furthermore, Dr. Shilts suggested that each member review the proposed scope of services, draft changes where appropriate, and look to finalize the project’s scope of services during our May meeting.
Furthermore, Dr. Shilts appointed Mr. Brandt to serve as the committee’s technical advisor should any member desire assistance in drafting potential recommendations.
SCHEDULING The Committee will next meet on either Wednesday, May 11th or May 18th at 7:00pm.
REMARKS FOR THE GOOD
OF THE COMMITTEE Mr. Brandt expressed his concern that public education and involvement will be essential to the committee’s work. He suggested that the committee establish an ongoing process of disseminating information to the public media.
ADJOURNMENT Dr. Shilts stated that the day’s agenda had been completed and no objections were heard.
Thereafter, the March 30, 2005 meeting of the Hingham Comprehensive Wastewater Master Planning Committee adjourned at 9:15pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kirk J. Shilts, D.C.
Member
Hingham Comprehensive Wastewater Master Plan Committee