HomeMy WebLinkAboutSantos - Schwaab followup emails1
Cavanaugh, Kimberly
From:Eric Schwaab <eschwaab@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, September 3, 2025 7:49 AM
To:Santos, Daniel
Cc:Tom Lee; Ells, Mark; Hoopes, Edwin; Beaudoin, Griffin; Cavanaugh, Kimberly; Lovell,
Cynthia; Collopy, Kelly; Gerard Martin; Lisa Daluz; Bettina Abe; Bloom, Charles;
jeffreydaluz38@yahoo.com; Maria Reid; Steen, Robert; Terkelsen, Kristin
Subject:Re: for Tom Lee, Chair Barnstable Conservation Commission - Follow-Up on 268
Stevens Street Pump Station – Dewatering Conditions
Director Santos,
I'm happy to print a correct. Send me the text.
Lisa DaLuz meet with several property owners yesterday along the north side of 32 Pleasant. They
reported grave concern that your unauthorized pumping damaged the area.
Why don't you stop for a walk about. It might change your view of the area.
Eric
On Wed, Sep 3, 2025, 07:42 Santos, Daniel <Daniel.Santos@town.barnstable.ma.us> wrote:
Tom,
Just to insure decisions are not being made based on disinformation, I bring your attention to the
second and third paragraphs of Mr. Schwab’s letter.
Regarding paragraph 2, groundwater was pumped from, and returned to, the watershed. The wetland
and pond are not impaired from the dewatering activities. In a sand and gravel aquifer, any lowering of
the water table would have long recovered by this time. What is being seen at the wetland and pond are
the effects from the regional drought on the water table. It is occurring Cape-wide. Attached is a
photograph taken this week of Miller Pond in Yarmouthport. As you can see, this normally large pond
has no standing water, due to the lowered water table in the aquifer.
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Regarding paragraph 3. I said nothing of the sort regarding an altered design. Everything in the paragraph
is a gross misconstrual of the actual conversation.
Best regards,
Dan
On Sep 1, 2025, at 9:21 AM, Eric Schwaab <eschwaab@gmail.com> wrote:
Tom Lee, Chair
Conservation Commission
230 South Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
September 1, 2025
RE: Follow-Up on 268 Stevens Street Pump Station – Dewatering Conditions
Dear Mr. Lee,
This letter follows up on our earlier comments regarding the Notice of Intent for the
proposed sewer pump station at 268 Stevens Street. We urge the Commission to adopt a
robust set of conditions for any dewatering associated with this project.
As you know, the Barnstable DPW has already removed an estimated 10 million gallons of
groundwater from the Stewarts Creek watershed. The wetlands at 32 Pleasant Hill Lane
and Aunt Betty’s Pond remain impaired from prior unpermitted dewatering.
On Thursday (8/28), we met with Director Santos and members of his staff to appeal for
design changes that could reduce impacts to this sensitive area. Director Santos
acknowledged that altering the design of the dewatering plan could reduce the 850-foot
“cone of influence” to a much smaller radius, at reasonable cost. However, he indicated
he was reluctant to order these changes without a condition from your Commission.
We therefore recommend that the Commission condition any approval on submission of
a revised plan that reduces the dewatering cone of influence to no more than 50–100 feet.
Monitoring and Restoration
The DaLuz family, whose property lies within the affected area, remains deeply concerned
about the long-term health of this watershed. They request greater scientific detail in the
monitoring plan, particularly regarding restoration actions should groundwater levels fail
to rebound as expected.
At present, no one assigned to the project appears to have training in ecological
restoration. The impacts of prolonged drought combined with multiple dewatering events
are unknown, as are the risks of discharging millions of gallons of nutrient-rich, PFAS-
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contaminated water into Aunt Betty’s Pond. Wildlife has already begun to disappear—
swans and river otters that once thrived there have moved on. What is the plan to restore
Aunt Betty’s Pond so that these species, and the broader ecology, can recover?
We recommend that the Commission require a full ecological and wildlife survey prior to
any resumption of pumping, and that the monitoring plan include specific restoration
targets and timelines to allow meaningful evaluation of recovery across the watershed.
Accountability and Bonding
Finally, given the slapdash construction practices already observed at this site, the DaLuz
family requests that the Commission require the project be bonded. This would ensure
financial accountability and compensation should lasting damage occur to the wetlands,
pond, or their property.
Conclusion
We respectfully request that the Commission condition approval on:
Reduction of the dewatering cone of influence to 50–100 feet.
A scientifically robust monitoring plan, including restoration protocols.
A full ecological and wildlife survey of Aunt Betty’s Pond and adjacent wetlands.
Restoration targets tied to clear timelines.
A project bond to protect residents from permanent ecological or property damage.
Thank you for your careful attention to this matter and for the efforts of the Commission
and staff. We look forward to a positive outcome at the September 9th hearing.
Respectfully submitted,
Eric Schwaab
157 Melbourne Road
Hyannis, MA 02601
On behalf of the DaLuz family
On Thu, Aug 28, 2025, 07:39 Eric Schwaab <eschwaab@gmail.com> wrote:
with attachment ;-)
On Thu, Aug 28, 2025 at 7:37 AM Eric Schwaab <eschwaab@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Sir/Madam,
While the agenda for this item has not been posted, kindly refer this letter to Tom Lee,
Chair of the Conservation Commission for consideration on the 9/2 hearing which I am
told will include consideration of 268 Stevens Street Pump Station NOI.
We respectfully urge the Conservation Commission to deny the 268 Stevens Street
Pump Station NOI unless and until the applicant provides a full alternatives
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analysis, quantified discharge volumes, water quality standards, and enforceable
monitoring protocols that protect the wetlands, ponds, and hydrology of this
vulnerable area.
Thank you for your consideration,
Eric Schwaab
157 Melbourne Road
Hyannis, MA 02601