1. Call Meeting to Order

2. Roll Call

3. Approval of Minutes - April 11, 2001

4. Old Business

5. New Business

6. Other Business

7. Set Next Meeting Date and Meeting Location

8. Adjournment

1. Call Meeting to Order:

     Mr. Romond called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

2. Roll Call:

Present: Bill Romond, Pat Kearney, John Nichols, Steve Kruger, Betty Carvellas, Moe Germain, Karen Bates

3. Approval of Minutes - April 11, 2001

Correction: Mr. Romond will represent the committee on May 8th at the Select Board meeting.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of April 11, 2001 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.

4. New Business

Rocco Graziano requested assistance from the Water Quality Committee to review the applications received for the water quality coordinator position. Mr. Romond questioned whether it was possible for the water quality coordinator to do additional work along with the testing. Steve Kruger and Karen Bates volunteered to assist Rocco in reviewing the applications.

Mr. Romond reported that he spoke with Mr. Osborne and he indicated that the EPA application would have a good chance being accepted and providing money for the town.

Mr. Romond suggested that the Water Quality Committee develop an outline based on goals of the Water Quality Committee and present that to Mr. Osborne. Mr. Romond would also discuss Lake Champlain Basin Program grants with Mr. Osborne.

Stone Environmental will send the Water Quality Committee information on strategy planning and has also indicated that they will provide assistance.

The group discussed the Lake Champlain Basin Program grant programs.

• Request money for survey on septic systems/supported by town.
• Would be good to receive grant for organizational support grant.
• Grant could be used to hire someone to writ plan.

Discussion of EPA Grant Application

     A. Goal of Our Proposal: To complete a Strategic Water Quality Plan for Colchester that focuses on wastewater management (onsite and offsite), stormwater management (includes surface waters), and recreational impacts.

      B. Why is such a plan needed:

1. To allow the town to organize and prioritize the actions needed to address the range of issues related to water quality. And to give direction for future initiatives.
2. To pull together and coordinate the assorted studies and plans that have been developed previously and to capitalize on the work already completed.
3. To facilitate communication with and provide information to the general public in order to more actively engage them in the discussion of our water quality issues and their solutions.
4. To identify the specific tasks needing attention in the form of an implementation schedule and accompanying methodologies.
5. To develop a process that allows us to measure our success in addressing water quality issues.

1. Hire a "planner" who will carry out the assorted steps required to produce the plan. (This could be an individual, consultant, or a consulting firm)
2. Complete a thorough research process in order to create a comprehensive plan.
        Tasks will likely include:
   - Review and evaluate similar initiatives in other VT towns and other states
   - Gather, review, evaluate, and assimilate the past studies in Colchester that are related to this initiative
   - Complete a literature search to understand the potential formats of a plan, as well as to identify available and promising technologies
3. Write the Plan
   - Identify the tasks that the town needs to undertake in all areas of water quality
   - Develop an implementation schedule with costs, timelines, and responsible parties
   - Prioritize the tasks in order to give the town direction regarding the most critical issues in need of attention
   - Identify and review the potential methodologies available and include cost/benefit analysis for each
   - Include a set of recommendations as to how to proceed and include:
        * new or revised regulations or ordinances
        * any fee structures
        * implications for the Master Plan and/or Zoning/Planning
        * personnel requirements
   - Include a process to involve the public in order to:
        * educate them concerning the assorted water quality issues
        * solicit ideas about priorities and methodologies through facilitated sessions
   - Develop a communication process that has:
        * regular written reports in local publications
        * public access TV reports/discussions
        * active website

5. Next meeting date and time: May 9th at 6:30 p.m. at the Meeting House.

6. Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Bates
Colchester Water Quality Committee

Approved the     day of      , 2001