A meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was called to order at 7:40 P.M. on Monday evening, July 11, 2005, in the Sharon Town Offices, with the following members in attendance: Chairman Anne Bingham, Suzi Peck, Elizabeth Barnett, M.D., and Sherwin Goodblatt.
John Larsen, Well Water Connection, Inc.
Re: Request for irrigation well for 12 Wadsworth Way
Anne Bingham noted that the general public policy for conserving water has driven the Board’s policy to require all owners of new wells to comply with the town-imposed watering restrictions. Suzi Peck further explained that Sharon is at the top of the aquifer and relies on its wells for its drinking water. It was stated that, regardless of how deep the well were to be dug, it would be impossible to determine the source of the water.
VOTED: (Bingham/Peck) unanimously to approve installation of an irrigation well for 12 Wadsworth Way with the following conditions:
Irrigation wells are for the sole purpose of irrigation and shall not be deemed or used as a potable water supply for human consumption; Irrigation wells shall not be connected to any dwelling unless they are approved as a Private Drinking Water Well by the Board of Health; Completed wells will be inspected by the Water Department to certify that there is no possibility of a cross-connection with a drinking water supply line due to the location of the line and/or ancillary piping from the non-potable well; Each outlet from the irrigation well should be valved with a removable handle. The handle should be removed
except when the valve is in use and the outlet should be appropriately signed to the effect that any water from that outlet is not safe to drink; All irrigation wells shall be posted with a placard stating “Irrigation Well(s) Not a Drinking Water Supply”; If the leaching fields are moved closer to the well location when the current septic system is replaced or repaired, the proponent must reapply for a well permit; The irrigation well is strictly for the use of the property at 195 Mansfield Street; The homeowner must comply with the then-current town-imposed watering restrictions. The Board of Health further recommends that the irrigation well be tested on an annual basis for bacterial quality (fecal coliform), and that the results of the testing be forwarded to the Board of Health. It is also recommended that upon completion of the well, and prior to initial use, the well also be tested for lead (total dissolved) and that results be
forwarded to the Board of Health.
Heights Plaza
The Board discussed the history of the septic system of this property.....the only 40 year old commercial property in town which has not been addressed; reviewed water usage for the 2.5 acres of land; reviewed a prior request for an inspection (which was not conducted). Jim Andrews will make a list of several items of concern related to this system.....to be further discussed and articulated at the July 25th meeting. Board members were concerned that the system....in a Zone II...may be undersized...may be missing grease traps.... and the uses of the property have changed since the system was installed.
Minutes of meeting of June 27, 2005
VOTED: (Bingham/Goodblatt) unanimously to accept the minutes of the meeting of June 27, 2005.
23 Highland St. - request to reduce testing
Jim Andrews will provide names of testing services to Suzi Peck to research this issue.
Old Post Road 40B
Anne Bingham asked to hold on scheduling the Old Post Road 40B pending their appearance before the ZBA on July 13th.
Kendall Whaling Museum
VOTED: (Bingham/Goodblatt) unanimously to respond to Gare Reid’s inquiry: one annual commercial fee will be required of the facility (for the monitoring compliance with septic variances program). The Board will keep Mr. Reid’s questions in mind to see if fine tuning is needed for this program in regards to low usage properties.
Warrant Articles
Greg Meister and Cliff Towner were present to discuss possible warrant articles currently being discussed by the Planning Board to amend the MUOD and CSD bylaws. The Board of Health expressed agreement with concerns re: environmental impacts –adequate treatment of wastewater; water supply quality and quantity. The Board agreed to request a placeholder for articles at the fall Special Town Meeting to discuss these amendments. Board members agreed with concerns about these articles being hurried along; Suzi Peck suggested that they be slowed down until we get answers to questions related to wastewater and water quality. She further suggested these articles be linked to water department funds to study what the aquifer can bear, i.e., what is our wastewater capacity in town....before further
changes in zoning be considering. Anne Bingham stated she would feel more comfortable if the BOH and Conservation Commission acted jointly. All board members hoped to continue efforts to work collaboratively with other boards.
VOTED: (Bingham/Goodblatt) unanimously to request of the Selectmen that the BOH have 2 placeholders on the fall town meeting warrant to discuss possible amendments to both MUOD and CSD bylaws....respecting protection of water supply quality and quantity, and environmental public health protection respective to adequate treatment of wastewater
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM.
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