WMAC MEETING MINUTES APRIL 3, 2008

Attendees: David Crosby – Chair; Rory McGregor – Secretary; David Hearne; Paul Lauenstein; Len Sekuler; Bob Weeks.

Others: Eric Hooper – DPW Superintendent; Nancy Fyler; Greg Meister; Rich Powell; Ben Puritz; Cliff Towner.

Jeff Hershburger from ESS Group Inc provided an update on the well drilling at sites along Edge Hill Road in the vicinity of Sharon Memorial Park. (Copy of report is available from Eric Hooper at the DPW.) Of the wells investigated, 4-07 and 5-07 merit further consideration; water quality is good. Next step is to determine yield and drill larger holes. Review of local geography, geology, access rights etc. suggest that the wells could be positioned slightly farther north toward the Canton town line. These sites could be subject to pumping limits when flow in the Neponset River is low.

Sharon Memorial Park runs their private wells all summer. Water usage is on the order of 720,000 GPD. Area encompasses 360 acres of which half is irrigated. Len Sekuler suggested that we negotiate an arrangement with the cemetery to share use of their wells while providing them with treated wastewater from nearby McIntosh Farms or even the center of Sharon. The town of Sharon would work to achieve permitting of these wells in return for the shared use.

There was discussion on Eric Hooper’s latest draft of the scope of work for the Master Plan. (Suggest that we attach a copy) Bob Weeks requested that the Cedar Swamp issue be included. Paul Lauenstein advocated to phase the Plan per the suggestion of Nancy Hammett at the last WMAC meeting. The WMAC voted 4-1-1 to proceed with contracting for the full scope of work. Eric will make final modifications and proceed with arranging the Request for Proposals.

The WMAC voted unanimously (6-0) in two separate motions to recommend acceleration of the work on the installation of the water meters and acoustic leak detectors. The first motion recommends appropriation of $45,000 from this year’s budget, the second motion recommends appropriation of $225,000 from the FY09 budget. The work will be performed by an outside contractor. The motions will be sent immediately to the selectmen for their consideration.

The WMAC approved a new water bill insert prepared by Nancy Fyler which focuses on lawn irrigation.

Nancy Fyler reported on her public outreach efforts to the Sharon schools on water conservation. The School Department will develop water conservation curricula involving over 500 students, mostly at the third grade level. Nancy is also working on a water conservation website for Sharon, and she will meet with Donna Fitch of Energy New England to discuss the water audit program.

Paul Lauenstein reported on his March 12^th meeting with the Sharon School Committee and Ken Wertz, Ken Wertz, Supervisor of Maintenance and Operations for the Sharon Public Schools, on conserving water in Sharon’s schools. Some of the initiatives recommended in the June 2006 Energy New England audit, plus some other initiatives recommended by Mr. Wertz, will be implemented in Sharon schools to conserve water.

Rory McGregor reported on the March 13^th presentation at the Community Center of Nancy Shone’s video about the activities of the Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA). NepRWA partnered with the Sharon Water Department to obtain a $44,000 DEP water conservation grant that will fund creation of a water conservation plan, and a part-time water conservation coordinator for a year.

Paul Lauenstein reported on the Riverways presentation on March 24^th at the Community Center, where results to date from the stream flow monitoring program were amalyzed. Measurable impacts of the municipal well pumping on stream flow in both Billings Brook and Beaver Brook were reported during one of the driest summers on record.