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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCanoe River Comm Minutes 05/04/2006Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes May 4, 2006 Minutes of the meeting held by the Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Committee on Thursday May 4, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at the Foxborough Town Hall, 40 South Street, Foxborough, MA 02035. Members Present: Wayne P. Southworth, Easton; John Fresh, Jr.; Easton; Robert Boette, Foxborough; Leo Potter, Foxborough; Leonard Flynn, Mansfield; Fred Watson, Norton; Susan Mims, Norton; Dave Masciarelli, Sharon Others Present: Tom Hunt, Foxborough Call to Order - Meeting called to order at 1:03 p.m. by Wayne Southworth. IL Review Minutes of April 6, 2006 W. Southworth received an e-mail from Jenn Carlino with suggested revisions to the minutes. These revisions were distributed to CRAAC members for review. Bob Boette motioned to accept this amended version of the minutes of April 6, 2006. J. Fresh seconded the motion. The minutes of April 6, 2006 as amended were unanimously accepted. III. Open Space Map & Greenbelt Update Leonard Flynn is currently working on the mapping. There exists about $6 million dollars worth of Self -Help grant money available for the conservation and protection of land. This is something that will be pursued. IV. Annual Awareness Day — June 3, 2006 at the Mansfield Water Treatment Plant The Annual Awareness Day has been finalized for June 3, 2006 at the Mansfield Water Treatment Plant. Steve Bishop will be conducting tours. A revised flyer that shows both the treatment plant and the Canoe River was passed around. Canoe rides will be available that day. Janet Simolari of Easton will send out press releases approximately two weeks prior to the event to local newspapers. V. EPA Environmental Merit Award — Jennifer Carlino Jenn Carlino was not able to attend the meeting because she was receiving an EPA Environmental Merit Award. She was nominated by Norton's Town Manager, Jim Purcell. Acknowledging her tireless efforts on behalf of the CRAAC, as well as her many successful land acquisition undertakings and her efforts In the promotion of environmental awareness, Leonard Flynn motioned to send a letter of appreciation and recognition to Jenn. The letter will commend her on her award, as well as thank her for all that she has achieved on behalf of this committee. W. Southworth agreed with L. Flynn, and noted that she is extremely hard - working and a great asset to the committee. R. Boette seconded the motion to send the letter. The motion passed unanimously and enthusiastically. L. Flynn will create a draft letter, and copies of the letter will be sent to Jim Purcell and EOEA. Vi. CRAAC Website Proposal — Jack Marsh Jack Marsh, Easton Water Superintendent, prepared some proposals for CRAAC members to review regarding a website for the committee. The information was distributed to members. L. Flynn mentioned that Lou Andrews has also offered to help with this. The proposal describes several different scenarios. A link can be created on the Easton website that would appear to be a separate website. This would be the least expensive choice. L. Flynn felt that the most important thing, before even undertaking the website, is to be able to keep the Information current. W. Southworth said that since this is an all- volunteer group, this may prove difficult to accomplish. L. Flynn felt that the website should be linked to all member communities. The quality of the town water should also be highlighted. B. Boette mentioned that he would like to see a deposit requirement on bottled water bottles. W. Southworth stated that he is working with a group that is trying to achieve that, with the hope that the deposit money would go back to water suppliers. Members agreed that juice and water bottles are some of the biggest contributors to litter. Committee members will continue looking Into website alternatives, and eventually make a decision based on all the information gathered. They are hoping for a good response on a questionnaire that was sent to approximately 120 people. VII. Schedule Water Conservation Workshop at the Easton Water Division Easton applied for and received a water conservation grant. In the proposal, Easton asked to be able to run an educational seminar, and to be able to invite other communities to this. Amy Vickers has been contracted to speak at the seminar. The date is still uncertain, but W. Southworth will notify everyone as soon as it is confirmed. The seminar is geared primarily towards water suppliers and their personnel, however, everyone is Invited to come. Subjects covered will Include leak detection and home water audits. B. Boette wondered about the feasibility of towns hiring plumbers to do small service jobs at a reasonable rate, as an incentive for people to fix leaks that they might otherwise let run continually. L. Potter said that there could be a problem with this due to the liability issue raised when a town hires a plumber to go on private property. W. Southworth suggested that communities could create a list of plumbers that would be willing to fix a leak at a reasonable rate. This could then be provided to the public if the need arose. W. Southworth expressed hope that there would be fruitful discussions on these types of issues at the seminar. VIII. New Business The next meeting of the CRAAC will take place on June 1, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. in the Norton Library. Fred Watson will make the arrangements. IX. Meeting Adjourned — B. Boette motioned to adjourn the meeting. J. Fresh seconded the motion. The Committee voted unanimously to adjourn its meeting. The meeting adjourned at 1:42 p,m.