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:: Saturday, November 21st, 2009Robbins Report
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Bookstore Restaurant seeks a 90-day extension from the DEP
No upgrades in sight, Wellfleet restaurant seeks extension from the DEP
Need to use the facilities this summer? Should be BYOHW (Handi Wipes, that is).
Story and photograph by Peter Robbins
With the parking lot full, and lines out the door, many people in Wellfleet expressed no surprise that the Bookstore Restaurant would get through the summer without any upgrades. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) clearly set a deadline of August 12, 2008 in their letter dated June 13, 2008 for the necessary upgrades to the restaurant's failed septic system. The DEP did mention that the "public health is better protected with the restaurant connected to the municipal water supply rather than allowing continued discharge of effluent in the Zone I of the existing on-site water supply well." The DEP went on to say, "Mass DEP records show the existence of another water supply well on site. The plans must show the locations of the well and provide information on its current status." Could that be located on the recently purchased 7 acre marsh parcel? Brian Dudley of the DEP, the author of the June 13th letter, was not available for comment.
With the DEP's documented suggestion that the Bookstore be connected to the municipal water supply, many believed this would get the restaurant through the summer without a new system being installed by the deadline. I had doubts about that issue. Agreeably, everyone is served better by the use of municipal water supplies, and that appears to be what is in store for the Bookstore. A July 21, 2008 letter from East Cape Engineering acknowledged the receipt of the DEP's June 13, 2008 communication. East Cape has requested a "90-day extension to allow the town water issue to be pursued and to address other comments in your letter." Let's see, take a deadline of August 12, 2008, add 90 days and the winter winds are blowing.
During an interview, Moe Barocus, Vice Chair of the Wellfleet Board of Water Commissioners, expressed enthusiasm with the progress. Mr. Barocus also wanted the people to understand that this would have no affect on any pending connections to the system, although there were no pending permits on file. "We have approved a trial period for the month of August as we have some concerns about peak usage." There was no guarantee of a permanent connection, but an evaluation would be made after the test period. "The connection may require the Bookstore to double-plumb the building, using well water for toilet and bathroom issues. We have reviewed the usage numbers supplied very carefully and they are right up there." Barocus was pleased with the progress since the Commissioners got involved.
Barocus explained, "The Bookstore is at the very end of the line. Because of this, the PH is a problem and requires frequent flushing of the system. Ideally, we need a complete loop which is something the town is looking into." It would appear from the very detailed information provided by Mr. Barocus that connecting the Bookstore could actually benefit the dead-ended town system. Usage at the end of the line would cut down on the amount of flushing required, and that water would be used for the Bookstore's needs. Maybe a win-win for everyone! Regardless, Barocus did acknowledge the need for upgrading the town water system and the need for more storage capacity for the future. I wonder who will object to a new water tower? Certainly not on Seashore property.
Read related posts below:
- Bookstore Restaurant Plan Denied by DEP
- Massachusetts DEP makes surprise visit
- The Bookstore finally gets the message
- The good graces of the Board of Health have expired
46 comments
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I dunno, looks like they are complying to me.
The only thing that makes sense here is that my prediction has come true. Mike Parlante has continued to use his astonishing influence to keep the powerless Town Of Wellfleet from enforcing the rules that everyone but him must follow.
It blows my mind that no one can stop him.
They should rename the place "the Omnipotent Cesspool"
What a joke.
I ain't got no problem, except as one who has followed this "mess" for a few years, there is NO ONE and I mean NO ONE who cares if you or your mother or your wait staff or the Health Dept. or the people of Wellfleet give a shit about what is going into their water. I came to live here five years ago, and ate at the Bookstore, and was told it was a shi house. That it is.Now, listening to East Cape Engineering, we have a plan in place but wait until the snow flys, and the water is good and the whatever is wherever and the this and the that is in place, and we will once again have a true dining experience in store for our visitors. Why don't you just SHUT UP and wash your hands before returning to work. This is the worst that Wellfleet has asked their town folk to accept. The Billboard house?? I would work for that in a minute if it were an either "this or that"
My 1100 characters are coming to a close. I hope someday we can meet and maybe drive to the reconstruction and then on to Luke's where the toilets work,and you and I can have a nice glass of water
You must be referring to the Chinese Americam Citizens Alliance!!! Good girl/boy!!
Go to bed now!
You are an angry little thinker. Both sexes have them.
I was speaking to his control over Wellfleet's town employees who have been powerless to stop him since 1988. There is no secret there. That's public knowledge.
As for the DEP, well..... I had no idea he had friends there too.... But thanks for bringing that to our attention, Genius!
You are as transparent as a glass of water, well, not Bookstore water of course.....
youre laughable
"powerless to stop him since 1988" ...that is just hysterical!
You guys ROCK!
Pretty sweet.
Wait....Don't forget the part where Godzilla urinates in his customer's fake lobster roll then falls down laughing when the guy pays top dollar for it.
That IS wicked funny!!!!
Suckers.
You guys are both right.
MP should be laughing.
He has nailed another season, first running the competition out of town and then making another fat bundle of CASH without having to spend a dime on septic to meet the rules.
That is a pretty good businessman right there. I'd hire him to run my business, any time.
Kudos to the Parlante family. It really IS all about the money.
"follow the money!"
It holds true and dear to all the complexities that drive the commenters here into a frenzy..
and has so since mankind exchanged favors many a year ago..
Welcome to the human race!
Perhaps vent your outrage to tending your gardens(therapy at no cost)
help the downtrodden
help end the slave labor throughout the world
buy some carbon footprints from Al Gore
send some scotch to Ted Kennedy
buy a hybrid
Blame everything on Bush..I do
vote for the Glowbama and feel good about the future
kick a liberal
kick a conservative
hug a tree
cut down a tree
drive your car at a police officer and end it all..
hell..
enjoy life!
It's a folly..
I do
puns intended
and as maverick would say..
have a good night
Soylent green is PEOPLE!
Whatever it takes.
In my dreams.
have a good night.
A little off subject, but what's going on at the pier tonight? Cruisers, fire trucks etc...
Just what the clam ordered!
Is it a Village People free concert?
MP did NOT drive "the competition" out of town - it was a BYLAW remember? I hope you were there at town meeting to vote to change that BYLAW so that it NOW CAN be a restaurant. I know I was there to vote to change it. Were you? I know you think MP is all powerful, but he didnt have anything to do with that BYLAW on the books. So..there ya go....remember? The people have spoken? The BYLAW had to be changed in order for Capt Higgins to be a restaurant again.
I guess he is just lucky.
ROCK ON, BOOKSTORE! YOU GUYS RULE!!!!
Like Damien in the Omen or that firestarter kid.
Did you wear a helmet when you were a kid?
Slept late this AM. The muscatel did me in!! Did you ever figure out what we chatted about concerning Luke's?? I was there last night and used their "facilities" How do they keep them so clean??
Anyhow, after a bunch of soul searching and perusing old notes, I have one question for the ol'Schall.I think I remember your rant about the good life in Wellfleet and scungilli,and helping each other,etc. and it is a slice of heaven being there.Now, here's the question: How do you as a resident of that fine town feel about a businessman?? or woman?? polluting your harbor and aquifer for nearly 20 years??? How do you as a resident of Wellfleet feel about a man?? or a woman?? overseating more than 150 people without any concern for fire regulations for almost 20 years?? Doesn't it piss you off just a bit to think you are having the wool pulled over your eyes, also?? Or maybe not. Just wondering. Looking forward to hearing from you.
haven't you learned anything from this whole thing?
Cash is king. The environment, the public's health, laws, these are abstract issues that really are just out there for show.
The bottom line is the bottom line.
Let's face it. The Parlantes have been winning at this game for years. Why should we expect it to stop?
You can't fight City Hall. Once you get connected in da Fleet, you never lose your power.
Look at Putnam. Run off his Selectman's seat for trying to make Wellfleet a garbage dump. Did he have something to gain? Naaahh. Even after he should be hiding his head in the sand, he shows up on the ZBA, grumbling away and threatening anyone who doesn't see the same twisted view as he does.
I don't know why i even waste my time fighting.
GO BOOKSTORE!
KILL KILL!!!!!!
I'm beginning to think that Clamshelli is really Renee Richards in disguise. Remember her/him?? He was the New york dentist,Richard Raskin, who decided to have the "stuff" changed and voila, we have a tennis pro in the women's division. This certainly not to say that the old Clammer has had a sex change, but boy can he/she bounce the ball around on all sides of the court.
I guess you are right about not learning much during this little episode. As a guy that for the most part plays by the rules, it is really galling to me to have them just shove it up the poopers of the townsfolk and the rest of us in the neighboring environs.
I'm wondering how Moe Barrabas sp. can be "enthused with the progress".Has he been waiting since 1987?? Maybe they don't use calanders in Wellfleet. A lot of deposit slips,tho.
Thanks for listening
I hope the DEP, the town, and everyone else in authority shuts them down until they finally get things fixed.
You are right favoritism abounds in Wellfleet. No one is overseeing his 95 seat capacity or his polluting. 90 days extension what a coincidence(season over). Check for yourself I counted 95 on both decks, patio & bar.. Are we suppose to believe no one is inside? Get real!!! This town does not play fair..The Juice was shut down for a week over a grease trap. No extensions for them. We havelocal owners doing the right thing and others who thumb their nose & do what they please. Where is the justice? WAKE UP people your voices and complaints can make a difference. Stand up to this family that continues to pollute the marshlands. Maybe it will take an outbreak of someone getting sick in there and a lawsuit to wake up the leaders of this town and lighten Mr P wallet..Thats justice!
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Now do you know what a drop dead date is??? It is incredible for me as an acknowledged half wit, to believe you and your cohorts can stretch this outrage much further. You, in your ability to talk about kindnesses,etc,etc, forget that hundreds if not thousands of people have been exposed to a system that is full of feces,as well as drinking water that is of non drinking quality.What's the story with the 150 extra seats?? You laughingly advised Cod and I to open the "Monkey". I'll tell you this MR/MRS, we would close you up like a dirty book. You and all those that support this travesty, should be ashamed. In the famous words of Clamshelli,"enjoy". You folks down there deserve it!!