HomeMy WebLinkAboutJohn Richmond Comment Sewer Pump Follow UpFrom: Hoopes, Edwin
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 10:11 AM
To: Cavanaugh, Kimberly
Subject: FW: Sewer Pump Follow Up
Hi Kim,
Please forward to the commissioners and place this in the mee ng materials LF folder.
Thanks,
Ed
From: John Richmond <jcrichmond51@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 10:04 AM
To: Hoopes, Edwin <Edwin.Hoopes@town.barnstable.ma.us>
Subject: Sewer Pump Follow Up
Commissioners, The most important thing I have to say is that the DPW did indicate
last night that it was possible for them to choose another site for the pump, event
hough they didn't want to. This was inadvertently alluded to by their hydrologist but
became more pertinent as an option if the monitoring sites indicated a cessation was
necessary. Your request to them for further information should include asking what
would happen under those circumstances. What is their backup plan? Commissioner
Sampou did his best to make it look like this was the only choice but even the DPW
would not commit to that position.
There are many other things to say here. First, it was disappointing to see
commissioners Hearn and Sampou continuing to characterize the drained pond and
stream as "intermittent." A site visit before approving 32 Pleasant Hill Lane would
have graphically demonstrated that this was not true. They were both healthy despite
the drought we have been going through. The contrast between the attention paid to
the Boornstein development and the deck extension near Wequaquet Lake is
extreme and does not reflect well on the Commission. You are all experienced
enough to know that no Boornstein assertion should be taken at face value.
The attempt to paint the current dryness as something that could have happened
naturally was particularly intellectually dishonest and unsupported by any history of
this particular site.
There was also a misunderstanding of the pumping process. Although I believe the 92
million gallon characterization was excessive, Mr. Sampou seemed to believe that
there would be less pumping as the hole got shallower and the DPW seemed to
encourage that perception. I believe the amount of pumping necessary willl be
determined by how quickly the groundwater attempts to return to its natural level.
That inflow will not be lessened by the depth of the hole.
Nobody asked the DPW if they knew beforehand that they would be draining the
wetland and whether that was deemed to be unimportant. Although Town Manager
Ells asserted that this was only business as usual the DPI should be asked if any
other wetlands have been drained before this one was and if they expect it to happen
again in any future projects.
Because you are obviously collegial by nature (which is good) I came away convinced
that you are going to approve this project.
My last comment would be that the meeting before tis one the concern for the
recovery time for the brush outside the motel was much greater than any concern
about the recovery time for the stream and pond that have already been drained and
that, so far, are not showing signs of recovery.
John Richmond