HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-26-REC-min
Town of Lexington
Recreation Committee
Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Tel: (781) 862-0500 x262
Richard Thuma, Vice Chairman Fax: (781) 861-2747
Robert Boudreau
Wendy Rudner
Sandra Shaw
RECREATION COMMITTEE/BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
March 26, 2008
Room 111 – Town Office Building
Recreation Committee Members Present:
Rick DeAngelis, Dick Thuma, Bob Boudreau,
Wendy Rudner, and Sandra Shaw
Board of Health Members Present:
Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Judith Feldman, Sharon
MacKenzie, and Burt Perlmutter
Recreation Staff Present:
Karen Simmons, Peter Coleman, and Dave Pinsonneault
Health Staff Present:
Gerard Cody
Others Present:
Dr. Bernward Hay, Principal Environmental Scientist, Louis Berger Group
Jeremy Marcette, Assistant Director of Civil Engineering, Louis Berger Group
AGENDA
1. Water Quality Survey of the Old Reservoir
This was a joint meeting of the Recreation Committee and Board of Health. Dr. Bernward
Hay and Mr. Marcette of the Louis Berger Group presented their findings for the water quality
survey that was conducted at the Old Reservoir.
Dr. Hay began the presentation by reviewing the Old Reservoir watershed and the water
depths of the Old Reservoir. The depth averaged between 5-7 feet in the middle of the
reservoir and between 9-10 along the southern edge of the reservoir near the detention basin.
A historic data analysis shows that from 2001-2007 the readings of enterococci concentration
in the Old Reservoir differed significantly between 2001-2003 and 2004-2007. This coincides
with a change in laboratories that collected the water samples before the 2004 season.
Through historic data, Dr. Hay explained that rainfall and bather counts do not directly
influence the bacteria concentration in the Old Reservoir. Other potential bacteria sources that
were identified include sediment, dogs, waterfowl, illicit sewer connections, leaking sewer,
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
and storm water. Dr. Hay believes that the two most significant contributors are storm water
runoff and wildlife/dogs from the watershed.
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A two-week sampling was conducted at the Old Reservoir from July 28-August 17, 2007
that measured enterococci concentrations as compared to the number of beachgoers. A storm
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sampling was conducted from October 19-23, 2007. The rainstorm occurred from October
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19-20 and approximately 0.96 inch of rain fell during this event. A total of seven sampling
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runs were conducted between October 19-23 to assess pre-storm, storm, and post-storm
conditions in the reservoir. The results show that the enterococci concentrations exceeded the
regulated limit for swimming during the rain event and two days after the storm had ended,
the concentrations had fallen back below the regulated limit, meaning the reservoir was safe
for swimmers.
The water elevation of the Old Reservoir and detention basin were measured from July to
November, 2007 and the data show that the elevations are relative.
Dr. Hay concluded his portion of the presentation by discussing mitigation options. As
evidenced by the October rainstorm, stormwater should be kept out of the reservoir for as long
as possible. Some potential ways of achieving this include cleaning out or evaluating the
capacity of the detention basin, capturing flow from outfalls OR-33 and OR-34, regrading the
northern section of the path around the reservoir, or reengineering the connection to the
reservoir. Dr. Hay also suggested educating the public about the source control for
stormwater and dog management. He encouraged the Town to set up pet waste stations
around the Old Reservoir. Additionally, the Town needs to determine the accessibility that
dogs will have to the reservoir during the season/off-season and strictly enforce these
guidelines.
Mr. Marcette discussed the short-term and long-term engineering options of what could be
done to the outfalls or detention basin to address the issue of stormwater runoff. Mr. Marcette
and Dr. Hay mentioned the 319 funding program that is available for projects like this. The
grant requires 40% matching funds from the Town and typically ranges from $20,000-
$500,000. The Town’s 40% could be in-kind services towards the project.
Members from the Board of Health and Recreation Committee discussed the findings of the
report. Switching laboratories that collect the water samples from the reservoir will be
investigated before the upcoming season. The lab that is currently collecting the samples is
Analytical Testing Laboratory in Bedford. Gerry Cody indicated that the laboratory must be
DEP approved.
The other issue that will be addressed in the short-term is determining when to close the Old
Reservoir after a rainstorm event. Based on observations made in this study, Dr. Hay
estimated that the reservoir can remain open during a storm of 0.01-0.5 inch of rain. The
beach may need to be closed for one day for rainfall amounts of between 0.5-0.75 inch, two
days for amounts of 0.75-1.5 inches, and maybe even longer for greater rainfall amounts. Dr.
Hay recommended that additional targeted bacteria testing should be considered by the Town
to better define the relationship between rainfall amount and required number of days for
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beach closure. Karen Simmons and Gerry Cody will collaborate to determine the beach
closure policy that will be followed for the 2008 season.
As the meeting was wrapping up, Dr. Feldman asked why the Town wouldn’t just shut-down
the Old Reservoir as a bathing facility. Dr. Hay explained that except for the period
immediately after significant rain events, the water quality at the reservoir is excellent and
there is no compelling reason to close it. Ms. MacKenzie asked how many people use the
reservoir on a daily basis and she was informed that generally 100-150 people use the facility
each day, and over 200 is possible on a hot, sunny day. Mr. Thuma asked the Board of Health
if it had an agenda of closing the Old Reservoir. It unanimously replied that it did not and
only wanted to protect the health of the people who use it.
It was determined that the Recreation Committee and Board of Health will discuss the final
report of the Water Quality Survey of the Old Reservoir separately at their next meetings and
then have a joint meeting in the near future. The meeting adjourned at 7:30pm.
The next Recreation Committee meeting will be held on Monday, April 14, 2008 at 6:30
p.m. in Town Office Building Room 111.
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