State to Give Cape Cod $3.4M for Regional Wastewater Plan

The Cape will soon receive a $3.5 million grant from the state to help put together a regional wastewater plan.

  The Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust is expected to approve the $3.5 million grant to the Cape Cod Commission at its meeting next week, according to the Cape Cod Times. Lawmakers have estimated that the cost to deal with the Cape’s wastewater crisis could reach $8 billion. State Senator Dan Wolf supported the grant and has urged all towns on the Cape to work together towards a regional solution. “This is a major step forward for one of my top priorities, to make Cape Cod’s bays, ponds, and estuaries pristine once again, restored to health by planning regionally, collaborating and acting locally, leaving a profound legacy for future generations,” said Sen. Dan Wolf in a statement. “We applaud Governor Patrick, Secretary …

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Barnstable Sewer Trust Fund Act Endorsed by Governor

The Barnstable Town Council will be able to save money for future wastewater projects.

On Wednesday, Governor Deval Patrick signed Senate 1065 an Act Establishing a Sewer Trust Fund for the Town of Barnstable. The Town Council previously endorsed this trust which will enable Barnstable to put money aside for future wastewater needs. 

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Barnstable Takes Greener Look at Running Water Treatment Center

The Cape Cod Commission is working on a water recycling project at the Hyannis water pollution control center.

In an effort to conserve water and be more eco-friendly, the Cape Cod Commission is carrying out a greywater experiement at the Hyannis Water Pollution Control Facility. There are nine insluated boxes with poplar and willow trees being watered daily with effluent from the plant. Once the water drains from the boxes, it will be tested for nitrogen, phosphorous, and certain heavy metals to determine if those elements have been eliminated. This process of plants cleaning up soil is called phytoremediation, and has been used in other areas, including the park at 725 Main Street in Hyannis, Town Manager Tom Lynch said. See the project progress website here.

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State Senate Gives Cape $350K to Help Solve Wastewater Issue

The appropriation is for a smart map and cost model for Cape Cod wastewater.

The Senate on Friday passed a $32.45 billion balanced budget for the 2013 fiscal year inncluding a $350,000 provisions for the development of a wastewater smart map and cost model for the Cape Cod region to identify environmentally appropriate and affordable wastewater infrastructure solutions, according to a press release. “This funding will allow the Cape to take the next step in finding a solution to the region’s wastewater problem,” Murray said. “This is a very pressing environmental issue and it will threaten the vibrant tourist economy in the region unless action is taken. The towns have been trying to find a cost-effective solution for years and it’s important that we take the measures necessary to move closer to a solution.” “…

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Researcher Advocates for Local Wastewater Solutions

Treating wastewater wastes large amounts of water and needs to be totally rethought, according to one researcher.

Letter to the Editor: Official Concerns About County Government 'Transparency' - County Commissioners' Meetings

Provincetown Assembly Delegate Cheryl L Andrews voices her thoughts about a recent meeting.

18 April 2012 Dear Chairman Flynn and members of the Board of Commissioners, At the most recent Assembly of Delegates meeting held on April 4, 2012, an issue was raised that deserves some explanation and follow up. Earlier this month, Assembly members were emailed an online news article about wastewater that referred to a discussion between your board and Paul Niedzwiecki and Andrew Gottlieb on September 18, 2011. Review of the agenda posted for that meeting shows no mention of this discussion. Naturally, this caused some concern so I went to take a look at the video. The video of that meeting does indeed, capture a nearly 20 minute substantive discussion between your board members and Mr. Niedzwicki and Mr. Gottlieb. At the end of the …

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‘Premature?’ No! At This Late Hour, It Is time For Community Action!

In an op-ed, Voices on Wastewater discusses the need for community action.

The Cape-wide citizens group, Voices On Wastewater (VOW), recently received the following response from the Clerk of the County Assembly of Delegates relative to our request for expedited county assembly action regarding recommendations of the special commission on county governance. It is self-explanatory. Dear Ms. Nickerson: On behalf and as directed by the Speaker of the Assembly of Delegates his reply to your email and letter dated March 21, 2012 is as follows... Until there is a detailed proposal coming from the Commission, it is unlikely the Assembly will take any action. I encouraged the County Commissioners on 3/28 to endorse the concepts in the Special Commission's recommendations but they instead chose to hold a series of public …

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RON BEATY

12:08 pm on Sunday, April 8, 2012

Recent public statements by Dr. Cheryl Andrews, Provincetown Delegate to the County Legislature: “The Assembly is the only group that ever opposes the (county) commissioners. Every time they set up a group and [that group doesn’t] do what they want, they get rid of the group.” "The commissioners marginalized the county water collaborative," said Andrews, "and set up the special commission." She …   more ›

Public Statement by Newly Formed Cape Group Voices On Wastewater (VOW)

Organization forms to advocate for wastewater plans on Cape Cod.

1. Final Report & Recommendations - Special Commission on County Governance The group now called VOW has been informed by some of its supporters that the Special Commission co-chairmen, (Henri Rauchenbach and Rob O'Leary), will make their presentation of the recommendations of the Special Commission at the County Commissioners' meeting on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at 3:00 PM in Rooms 11/12 of the Barnstable Superior Courthouse, Route 6A, Barnstable Village.  The Report will be made available to the public at that time.  The written report includes the recommendation for creation of the Cape Cod Regional Wastewater Authority and the justifications/reasons for it. The meeting and presentation are open to the public so anyone who wishes to …

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Capewide Wastewater Authority to be Developed by 2013

Options for a Capewide wastewater entity will be developed for the county commissioners by the end of the year, with an eye toward possible legislation in 2013.