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Select board to meet with consultant after Poland Springs well nears alert level
Summary
Board members said multiple Poland Springs monitoring wells are close to the permit's alert threshold amid a severe drought; they agreed to meet with their consultant geologist before the next regular meeting to review new data and consider applying the new ordinance's monitoring steps.
The Select Board discussed an urgent groundwater-monitoring report after several Poland Springs wells approached the permit's alert level, and members agreed to meet with the board's consultant geologist before the next regular meeting to review new data and consider stepping up monitoring.
The board, speaking during an open session, said it had received a report showing multiple wells were ‘‘very close’’ to alert thresholds and that permit conditions require increased monitoring when alert levels are reached. A staff member notified the board that the most recent weekly monitoring was conducted Feb. 13 and that the next round of samples was scheduled for Feb. 20, with results expected by Tuesday.
"I believe that it should be spelled out in the ordinance," said Luke, a committee member, arguing the new ordinance clearly defines required steps when alert levels occur and would keep monitoring at weekly frequency until the board or its technical agent determines otherwise. He urged the board to use the ordinance language as a guide even for sites still operating under older permits.
Some members said their consultant and engineers have told them daily or near-daily sampling may not yield meaningful additional information because groundwater levels typically show little day-to-day fluctuation. Other members countered that collecting more than a single weekly data point would provide a clearer picture before declaring the condition resolved.
Board members said they had contacted Rick, the board's consultant geologist, and planned to reconvene with him as a group at 5 p.m. on the agreed-upon date so the board could review the latest readings and determine whether to require increased sampling frequency, a formal action plan, or other remedial steps. The board also agreed to notify Poland Springs that the monitoring results and potential next steps would be discussed in a public meeting.
Under the new ordinance described in the discussion, an alert level triggers weekly monitoring for two consecutive weeks; if the average water level in question remains below the alert after that period, the permittee must submit an action plan within 24 hours to the code enforcement officer and the technical agent, and the plan must be approved by the board.
The board moved to adjourn after setting the schedule; a member made a motion, another seconded, and the motion carried.
