Minutes of the 4/6/06 Meeting

In Attendance: Aimee Ayers, Anita Blakeman, Peg Chalmers, Terry Dancy, June
Fichter, Deane Geddes, Cynthia Hayes, Suzanne Levine, Jennifer Palmiotto, Robert
Wood, Richard Wright

The Minutes for January meeting were accepted.
The officers were voted on with the results:
     Deane Geddes, Chair
     Ken Lawson, Vice-Chair
     June Fichter, Secretary

Discussion began with regard to potential sources of water contamination. Jennifer
presented information on such sources. This may take several meetings, and will build
on the presentation material as well as the readings. NPS (non-point sources) are the
largest polluting sources over PS (point sources) such as pipes. It was also learned that
approximately one/third of septic systems are inadequate.

There are six major sources of NPS:
1.        debris
2.        nutrients
3.        sediment
4.        toxic chemicals
5.        pathogens
6.        thermal stress (from vegetation removal, impervious surfaces)

The objective is to list the potential sources and discuss the pollution types that have the
biggest effects.

The committee broke up into three groups to discuss potential sources in the watershed
area.

Many sources were discussed. The topic of road treatments came up, with the idea of
a UNH tour to observe the various road types, deicing agents. It was noted that the
state had reduced the use of salt in some areas, depending on the cars/day traveling the
road.

It was also learned that there are many home heating oil tank leaks; these occur with
regularity. Septic systems headed the list of concerns. Once a septic system is in place,
there are currently no requirements for maintenance, pump-outs or inspections.

Also discussed were regulatory versus non-regulatory solutions to potential
contamination sources. For example, it may be possible to work with oil distributors
regarding oil tank filling. IT was also felt that there is inadequate enforcement of
regulations on the books, leading to inadequate water resource protection and that the
amount of land with permanent conservation is also limited.

The SAWC Land Use committee met in the intervening time on Tues. February 26th.

The next Watershed Advisory Committee meeting is on March 27th, Newbury town
hall meeting room.
Meanwhile, everyone can brainstorm field trip sites and email ideas to Jennifer.

Respectfully submitted, June Fichter