Yarmouth town meeting voters approve water safety, conservation

YARMOUTH — Voters saved most of their comments, questions and amendment suggestions about the safety and conservation of the town’s water supply during special town meeting on Tuesday.

An article for the design and construction of a temporary PFAS treatment system at Wells 4 and 5, was approved, but not until several questions were answered and a few amendments offered. PFAS, an acronym for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are manmade compounds that do not readily break down in the environment. Exposure to some types of PFAS have been associated with serious health effects such as increased cholesterol, high blood pressure, and liver and testicular cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

One amendment to add a line stating no action could be taken by the town until local, state, or federal funds were secured eventually failed.

The proposed amendment’s author, Tom Sullivan, said spending $5 million on a temporary system didn’t guarantee the PFAS problem would be solved. PFAS can be coming from different sources such as septic systems or flumes, he said.

Wells 4 and 5 were shut down after they exceeded the state’s maximum contaminant level for PFAS in drinking water. DPW Director Jeffrey Colby said the temporary system would bring the PFAS level down to a “no detectable level.” The annual cost to operate the system is estimated at $50,000. The system will be able to move between well sites, he said.

Proposed revisions to the town’s bylaw regarding water supply conservation and emergencies drew many voters to the microphones. Sections requiring all automatic lawn sprinklers that are connected to the town’s water supply to be registered, and a schedule of fines and fees, drew many to the microphones.

Amendments to delete, and indefinitely postpone the section dealing with registration failed, the latter by a 68-57 vote. Voters killed an amendment to withdraw the entire article on an 82-50 vote.

Sullivan, who called for deleting registration, said it would be an invasion of a person’s right to manage their own property. Resident Jim Saban took issue with the fees and fines in the bylaw. A first violation would be a warning, but it would go to $100 and $300 for the second and third violations.

Select Board member Daniel Horgan said it is important for the town to have a database with that information. He said too many people didn’t comply with a level 3 drought emergency, and this bylaw gives the town enforcement capabilities.

“We were in serious trouble this summer,” he said. “This protects basic water for the town.”

An amendment to add the word “replace” for “amend” carried, and Article 18 passed.

Voters approved an article that will allow the Water Division to hire a consultant to complete an inventory of lead water service lines. The inventory is required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and must be done by October 2024. Funds from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust and State Revolving Fund could offset the $455,000 cost. According to Colby, there is a 100% loan forgiveness with the State Revolving Fund.

Article 19, giving the town the authority to purchase or take by eminent domain 10 acres on Higgins Crowell Road to protect wells, passed. However, voters faulted town officials for not protecting wells that were at more serious risk.

One resident said Well 11 on Forest Road had a nitrate level of 6.2; a level of 10 would shut it down. The town is targeting the wrong wells, he said.

Stone said the move was to protect the wells from future contamination, that the land was available and a fair price was negotiated, and that it would be a mistake not to acquire the land. The article passed with the required two-thirds vote.

An article to fund the Mattacheese Middle School utilization study passed. Students are expected to move to the new Station Street school in late February, according to Select Board Chair Michael Stone. The study examining what to do with the building and properties –all owned by the town - will include feedback from all community members. The Town will not be committed to the options presented at the end of the study.

A petitioned article to amend zoning bylaws related to accessory dwelling units was indefinitely postponed.

Contact Denise Coffey at dcoffey@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @DeniseCoffeyCCT

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Yarmouth voters approve water safety, conservation articles