Whiting Reservoir Study Committee 1-5-21
5:00 pm Remote by Zoom
,
Holyoke Massachusetts
Notice of Committee Meeting
There will be a regular meeting of
The Whiting Reservoir Study Committee
By order of Chair: Sue Ellen Panitch
Meeting to take place remotely on Zoom Meetings on Tuesday 1/5/21 5:00PM
Agenda
Item 1: Minutes of the last meeting
brief discussion of style of minutes:
a. City style
b. Traditional style
Item 2: “Housekeeping” methods for committee
a. Zoom including information from Scott McPherson on Cloud, retention time for videos, hosting, muting, etc.
b. Notifications
c. Other
Item 3: Presentation by Water Department Superintendent David Conti assisted by M. Manzi
Q & A session for WSC members
Item 4: Discussion of future topics and order in which they are needed – examples:
a. Possible Law department participation for review of applicable law
b. Conservation Officer regarding Conservation Law, present uses, etc.
c. Types of possible future use
d. Public Hearings, timing, materials
e. Other including New Business
Whiting Street Reservoir Study Committee
January 5, 2021 5:00 pm
Attending were Chair Sue Ellen Panitch, Vice Chair Marlene Connor, Jeff Horan,
Harry Craven, Kip Foley, Dave Moore, Theresa Sheppard, Marcos Marrero, Aaron
Vega, Dave Conti & Scott MacPherson.
Mr. Moore introduced Mr. Conti, representative of the Holyoke Water Department
who presented a summary of the 250-acre Whiting Street Reservoir property. Mr.
Conte discussed current allowed passive recreational uses at the reservoir and
described the primary goal of the Holyoke Water Department as protecting water
quality for potential future use as a drinking water supply. Mr. Conte also discussed
the planned $2.4 million spillway improvement project anticipated to take place in
2022 & 2023.
The committee engaged in a discussion regarding the committee’s charge and
possible pathways forward. The committee discussed gathering existing
information as a baseline. Marcos Marrero forwarded a copy of the Conway School
of Design 2015 Study. Dave Moore agreed to attempt to procure for the committee
a copy of a comprehensive study of MT TOM prepared by Tighe & Bond
approximately 10 years ago.
Recognizing the limited resources of the committee, there was a discussion
regarding the committee’s scope and whether to focus on the reservoir property
exclusively or whether to expand the scope to include private and institutional
owned abutting properties, which might impact the reservoir. The committee
further discussed potential resources for the engagement of a consultant to assist
the committee with its work, which might include CPA funds, state or federal
planning grants or in lieu of funding, the possibility of accessing the city’ planning
staff.
The committee decided to invite the City Solicitor’s office to its next meeting so the
committee might better understand the legal considerations of its work.
The committee scheduled its next meeting for January 19, 2021 @ 5:00 PM
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kip Foley, Secretary pro tem