HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-03 Penjajawoc Watershed Citizen Review Panel MinutesPen)ajawoc Watershed Citizen Review Panel
Wednesday, February 3, 2009 @ 4:30pm
Rangeley Hall, EMCC
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The Penjajawoc Watershed Citizen Review Panel met at Rangeley Hall at 4:30
pm. In attendance were panel members Tom Davis, George Elliott, Bob Quirk,
Joyce Hedlund (Vice -Chair), Benita Deschaine, John Cashwell (Chair), Trish Hayes,
and Valerie Carter, staff members Jim Ring, Art Morgan, Wendy Warren, and
Paul Nicklas, and consultants Liane Judd of Packard Judd Kaye, Stephanie
Crutsirilos, Esq., and Chet Bigelow of Sewall.
1. Watershed Management Plan progress report
Art Morgan gave a short presentation about the ARM stimulus projects currently being
constructed or Pending in the City. These intlude stormTech systems at the Quirk Auto
Park and near Kmart, Pilterra tree box filters at 753 Stillwater Avenue, porous Pavement
at EMCC, stream channel restoration at the Bangor Mall, and a bypass diverting water
from under the Bangor Mall to the Penjalawac. There was a question about bow to see
whether these projects make a difference, and Morgan mentioned the reductions listed
in the Watershed Management Plan. Responding to a question about whether there are
any opportunities for other bypasslikemechanisms, Morgan noted potential at the new
Lowe's site and the other two-thirds of the Bangor Mall.
2. Watershed Management Plan presentation and QaA
Aker a brief refresher on the EPA -required elements Of the Watershed Management
Plan, Wendy Warren presented regarding education, prevention, and housekeeping
goals of the Watershed Management Plan. The possibility of a workshop for small
businesses regarding hazardous materials was mentioned, as was federal money the
City has reserved for posting signs. The hope is to have a citywide theme or logo for
signage.
Paul Nicklas then gave a brief presentation on potential funding sources for the
Watershed Management Plan. Resources can include: grants, such as ARRA and 319
grants; voluntary action, such as AmeriCorps teams and business or nonprofit -funded
projects; mandated action, such as those required under Chapter 500 and by the Citys
stormwater maintenance ordinance, Incentives, such as requiring offsite retrofits as
condition on new or redevelopment and a utility district.
3. Utility district feasibility study update
Cane Judd and Stephanie Cotskgos gave a presentation on the utility district feasibility
study currently underway. They outlined the scope of work and expected timeline,
touched on the umbrella name for City of Bangor water quality initiatives, the Bangor
Clear Streams Project, and went into further detail about the public outreach plan and
governance and policy Issues.
There was considerable discussion about the timeline for the study and about the CRWS
tole In providing input. The need to be careful not to present the utility as done deal
and to keep the Council involved (including approving the public outreach campaign)
were both discussed. Stephanie mentioned the usefulness of the state model
stormwater utility ordinance.
After some discussion on the Issue, Nickles said that both the positive and prescriptive
("regulatory hammer') reasons for a utility district should be mentioned when doing
public outreach. The question was raised as to whether voters would have an
opportunity to weigh in on a utility. Alternatives to the utility were identified, including
the property tax base, enforcement directly on businesses,a consent decree through a
lawsuit, ora hybrid model such as exists for Wng Creek in South Portland. The
suggestion was made to highlight the work Bangor has done in the past on cleaning up
its waterways, and that this was the continuation of those efforts.
6. other business
The suggestion was made W have an extra meeting in me near future. The next meeting
will be on March 3, and a survey will be sem out for another meeting in March.