The most notable topic of the meeting revolved around the Oyster Pond restoration project, led by Josh Wrigley, the town’s new coastal resilience specialist. Wrigley provided an in-depth overview of this collaborative project, which involves several organizations including the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Association to Preserve Cape Cod. The project aims to replace an undersized culvert with a larger 5-foot by 6-foot box culvert, designed with a natural substrate bottom to enhance tidal flow and improve water quality. This initiative is supported by a NOAA transformational habitat grant and seeks to restore salt marsh habitats while combating invasive species like phragmites.

Funding and permitting emerged as issues for the project. The projected cost of construction was speculated to be between two to three million dollars, with Wrigley noting that the permitting phase could begin in a few months, though actual construction might not start for another two years. The project team is pursuing additional state grants to complement the federal funding. Concerns were raised regarding sediment deposition on the inland side of the bike path, which could inhibit tidal flow, but Wrigley assured that the redesigned culvert would address these issues.

The committee also delved into the findings of a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report on the impacts of two sewering scenarios on the Sagamore lens, a critical aquifer region. The report analyzed groundwater changes and streamflow impacts under scenarios of sewering all parcels below Route 28 and the entire town. It found minor changes in groundwater flow patterns and streamflow, with a 7% total water withdrawal of annual recharge under the full sewering scenario. Concerns about potential saltwater intrusion and the effect on salinity levels were discussed, with a focus on how these changes could impact local water quality management strategies.

Another focal point of the meeting was the discussion on a proposed permeable reactive barrier (PRB) to mitigate nitrogen discharge from the wastewater treatment plant. A Select Board member expressed optimism about the progress of the PRB project, which has received positive feedback on its funding application. The committee highlighted the need to extend the barrier beyond its currently proposed length to maximize its effectiveness.

The conversation shifted to the exploration of innovative nitrogen-reducing technologies, particularly urine diversion systems. These systems, which divert and treat urine separately to reduce nitrogen output, were discussed as a potential component of the town’s wastewater management strategy. The committee debated the regulatory challenges associated with these systems, including the need for rigorous monitoring to ensure compliance with nitrogen reduction standards. Concerns about the economic feasibility of urine diversion systems, given the current eligibility criteria for state tax credits, were also raised.

The meeting also touched upon the logistics of an upcoming meeting with the Board of Health, set to discuss the broader implications of these wastewater management initiatives. As part of the open discussion, a town meeting member highlighted the potential water savings from urine diversion systems, which could be significant in the context of current drought conditions.