A meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was called to order at 7:30 P.M. on Monday evening, March 28, 2005,
in the Sharon Town Offices, with the following members in attendance: Anne Bingham, Chair; Elizabeth Barnett, M.D., Vice-Chair, Jonathan Goldberg, Sherwin Goodblatt, and Suzi Peck. Also present was Jim Andrews, Health Agent for Engineering.
Miscellaneous items
Suzi Peck and Anne Bingham reported on separate conversation they had with Peter O’Cain which included information that he had received a grant to study sewering the center of town from the Wilbur School down through the center. The Board decided to request further information and discussion with Mr. O’Cain, since the BOH has long been interested in such a plan, and would like to provide input; e.g., regarding BOH-identified health risks close to the center (areas which might be included in such a plan).
Jim Andrews reported that the leaching field behind Starbucks (Bioclere system) is in failure. He further noted that there were 2 surface breakouts last year. The BOH intends to track this issue and take further action, as necessary.
Article 7 issues:
Jim Andrews will draft a proposal to add a section to Article 7 which would automatically fail cesspools when property is to be sold. He has had issues with homeowners regarding cesspool inspections, e.g., cesspools in groundwater. He estimated there are approximately 200 cesspools remaining in town. Many communities have banned cesspools in their local regulations.
Jim is also concerned about older septic tanks, some of which are now collapsing, built in accordance with a 25 year concrete code standard, e.g., built before 1985. He will also work on a proposal to be added to Article 7 stating that when property is sold, if tank is over 25 (or 30) years old, it must be replaced with a new tank, under the current 50 year concrete code standard, unless the owner has a tight tank test conducted.
Septic Variance Revolving Fund
The Board reviewed previously suggested fees for this fund; Following discussion, the Board members
VOTED: (Peck/Bingham) unanimously to hold a hearing in the near future to propose the following fee structure for fees to be deposited into the Septic Variance Revolving Fund:
Annual Compliance Fee for each onsite wastewater disposal installation requiring a variance from Article 7 and/or Title V, upon which reporting and testing requirements are imposed:
l. A. Annual compliance fee for residential systems requiring variances (not including I/A systems) .............$50
B. Annual compliance fee for residential systems which include I/A. Systems requiring variances..............$100
2. A. Annual compliance fee for commercial systems requiring variances (not including I/A systems) ...........$100
B. Annual compliance fee for commercial systems which include I/A. Systems requiring variances............$200
All fees will be due on January 1st of each year. The Board agreed to eliminate the prior proposal for application fees.
VOTED: (Goodblatt/Bingham) Goodblatt, Bingham, Peck, and Barnett voted in the affirmative; Goldberg abstained; to accept the minutes of the meeting of February 14, 2005, as amended.
VOTED: (Bingham/Goodblatt) Goodblatt, Bingham, Peck, and Barnett voted in the affirmative; Goldberg abstained; to accept the minutes of the meeting of March 7, 2005, as amended.
Suzi Peck will have the proposed massage regulations ready for review at the April 11th meeting.; Suzi Peck and Anne Bingham will have the proposed language for recycling in the municipal trash contract ready for the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 9 PM.
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