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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCanoe River Comm Minutes 11/01/2001r , Canoe River Aquifer Advisory / Cor>n itt'` Meeting Minutes November 1, 2001 Minutes of the meeting held by the Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Committee on Thursday November 1, 2001 at 1:00 p.m, at the Foxborough Town Hall, 40 South Street, Foxborough, MA 02035. Members Present: Wayne P. Southworth, Easton; Leo Potter, Foxborough; Robert Boette, Foxborough; Leonard Flynn, Mansfield; Ed Tartufo, Mansfield; Fred Watson, Norton; Suzanne Erikson, Norton; Susan Mims, Norton; Dave Masciarelli, Sharon Others Present: Jack Marsh, Easton; Taryn LaScola, DFA; State Representative Mike Coppola; Jenn Cariino, Norton Conservation Agent; Steve Buroff, MALPC -Lawn -Pro I. Call to Order - Meeting called to order at 1:00 p.m. by Ed Tartufo. It. Review Minutes of October 4, 2001 — Jenn Cariino proposed some minor changes to Section VI of the draft minutes of October 4, 2001. Bob Boette motioned to approve the minutes of October 4, 2001 as amended. Dave Masciareili seconded the motion. The amended minutes were unanimously accepted. III. Update of Canoe River Aquifer Study by Horsley & Witten, Inc. /Pat RogerVRegional ( Discussion on Comprehensive Wastewater Management Studies - Pat Rogers was not able to attend the meeting. This discussion will be tabled to the next meeting. IV. Department of Food & Agriculture — Public Education Campaign for Responsible Pesticide and Fertilizer Use —'Discuss Possible Public Presentations/ Taryn LaScole - Wayne Southworth told Taryn LaScola that Rick Foster of the Sun Chronicle will be contacting her regarding the pesticide program. Taryn LaScola discussed the Pesticide Management Plans that will be required for all schools and daycare facilities. These plans are supposed to be submitted as of November 1, 2001, but enforcement will not actually take place until after January 1, 2002. Violations of the new program could include fines of up to $1,000.00. The UMass Extension is developing a website with guidance for schools to follow for creating a plan. Taryn LaScola said that she will look into whether or not each individual school has to submit its own plan, or whether the entire school system can submit one plan. She said that she thinks that the plans have to be specific to each individual property. School playing fields need to have a plan; any recreation fields that are used more than 50% of the time by the schools will also have to have a plan. Taryn LaScola of DFA took the opportunity to tell CRAAC members that she has received approval to be available for presentations or informational meetings, and asked members to give her a schedule of events where she may be needed as soon as it becomes available. The springtime might be the best time to have her speak. Wayne Southworth said that they would like her to speak at the Annual Awareness Day in May. Taryn would also like to distribute information at town events that might be upcoming. She would like to attend as many events as possible, as this is an outreach project. Ideally, she can participate in any local question and answer shows. Mike Coppola said that he would be taping a show in Norton and would inquire about getting Taryn on the local cable show at her convenience. Press releases will be done in the next couple of months, closer to the time that people are beginning to work on their lawns. Cable access interviews should be timed to be in conjunction with the press releases. Postcards are definitely going to be sent out. Taryn LaScola asked if the CRAAC would be willing to be a reference and contact on the postcard. Bob Boette said that there is not one central location for the CRAAC. The water departments could serve as the contact point. It could be made know that this material would also be available at the local boards of health and the local libraries. Dozens of copies will be made available for each town. Wayne Southworth will provide Taryn LaScola with a reproducible graphic of the CRAAC logo. A reference to the web site will be included on the informational postcard. The website will contain all of the reference materials. Wayne Southworth thanked Taryn LaScola for coming to the meeting and for all of the assistance she has provided the CRAAC. V. Mansfield Mill Pond Update —A letter dated October 22, 2001 from Richard Lewis of the Town of Mansfield Conservation Commission was read to the CRAAC. It stated that the Mill Pond Dam Project is complete. Committee members were asked to contact Mr. Lewis if they had any further questions. Vi. Green Belt Project Update /Route 485 Property — Leonard Flynn said that he spoke with Steve Andrews. He said that all along, Steve has done a fantastic job. A motion was made by CERCA to support the effort to return the land back over to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and to send a letter to DEM expressing this support. Steve Andrews will send this letter in about two weeks, due to a heavy workload. Wayne Southworth said that he was recently involved in a DEM -New England Water Works Conference on well management. Much of the focus was on source protection and owning and controlling water sources. The CRAAC was mentioned frequently during this conference as a good example of land acquisition efforts. VII. Set Annual Awareness Day 2002 - After a brief discussion, the Annual Canoe River Awareness Day was temporarily set for May 18, 2001, with the option of reverting to May 11, 2001 if committee members find out that there is a major conflict on that date. The May 4, 2001 date was not chosen because it might interfere with National Drinking Water Week activities. It was agreed that the Awareness Day would take place In Norton this year in recognition of that town's green belt land acquisitions. The exact location is still uncertain. Fred Watson mentioned a new restaurant that has a view of the Snake River on Lake Winicunnett. He felt that this location would be ideal for a bad weather day. Jenn Carlino conducted a physical survey of Johnson Acres, the Mass Highway Land, the Lincoln Property and the Snake River. She will further research the parking situation and access at Johnson Acres, as well as river access behind the Highway Barn. Committee members asked Norton members Fred Watson, Susan Mims, Suzanne Erikson and Jenn Canino to form a subcommittee to identify the best location for the event. The event took place near the local cemetery several years ago and there was plenty of parking there. This site might be used again, although it would be preferable to find river access from the Mass Highway site. VIII. Report on Protection of Water Supplies from Terrorist Threats — Jack Marsh e- mailed information to the superintendents of Easton, Mansfield, Sharon, Norton and Foxborough regarding protection of water from terrorist attacks. A press release on this matter was prepared. He tried to keep it short to assure that it gets in the paper. Leonard Flynn motioned to endorse the press release. Ed Tartufo seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Fred Watson said that local law enforcement agencies are stretched thin. Towns cannot afford the police details to Suard watersheds. Dave Masciareili said that most communities have increased vigilance around their water sources. For example, in Sharon nighttime checks are normally discontinued around this time of year, but Dave plans to continue them year -round now. Wayne Southworth said that his department has sent letters to alt of the abutters to Easton's water supply, asking them to contact the water department if they notice any suspicious activities. Wayne said that a recent NEW WA conference pointed out that infrastructure damage is an even bigger threat than contamination. It is important for water suppliers to assure the public that things are being done to protect against any possible terrorist activities. IX. New Business Jack Marsh of Easton said that he has contacted Mercury Recycling of Stoughton regarding collection of mercury. They will drop off containers and pick them up. Computer monitors will be disposed of for 25 cents /lb. Mercury Recycling is on the State Bid List. Wayne Southworth spoke with the State Hazardous Waste Coordinator about mercury collection. Collecting mercury to get it out of the waste stream would be a good public service project for the CRAAC. This effort will go a long way to protecting the aquifer. All member communities can take part. It is not a big investment and is good for public relations. Fred Watson motioned to have the CRAAC support the efforts of the local water departments (Easton, Foxborough, Mansfield, Norton and Sharon) and work collaboratively with them to establish a mercury collection plan in order to get rid of mercury. Bob Soette seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Jack Marsh will work with the department superintendents to refine the collection plan. • Jenn Carlino attended a workshop on bikeways and greenways. The speakers were excellent. This might be something to consider for the seminar in March. Mention was made that due to low attendance at the last seminar, it might be best to plan to videotape this year's seminar and distribute it to member towns. Jenn Canino learned that the second leg of an East Coast Greenway is being planned to go through CRAAC member towns. The Canoe River Greenbelt could potentially be a part of this. Leonard Flynn said that he has heard positive things about bike trails. Even those who are initially opposed to them have supported them after they have been instituted. They are used by all cross - sections of society — walkers, bikers, roller - bladers, runners and parents with strollers. Due to the presence of such diverse age and interest groups, this cross - section serves to monitor the activities and keep them safe. This would allow the beauty of the Canoe River to be shared with everyone. Correspondence • The 2002 Pond Grant Program brochure was distributed to committee members. • A notice of a Regional Forum of the Department of Economic Development being held at LlMass Dartmouth on November 16, 2001 was received. • A letter was received from the Friends of Wheaton Farm inviting members to a February meeting. X. Old Business • Leonard Flynn said that he has had trouble tying the assessor's database into the GIS program. He said that Mansfield's and Norton's GIS programs need to be worked on. He suggested that some of the training money that the committee has might be well -spent on GIS training for one or two people from each town. Dave Masciarelli said that Sharon's GIS )1 manager might be able to assist with fundamental training. Mansfield's new GIS person is going to try to get a training session started. Leonard Flynn said that training would be more useful if done in one hour sessions over a period of time, rather than during a one -day seminar. The next meeting of the CRAAC will take place on December 6, 2Q01 at 1:00 p.m. In the Norton Library. A Meeting Adjourned - D. Masciarelli motioned to adjourn the meeting. Bob Boette seconded the motion. The Committee voted unanimously to adjourn its meeting. The meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m.