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Minutes of Meeting
October 3, 2006
A meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was called to order on Tuesday, October 3, 2006, at
7:35 P.M., in the Sharon Town Office Building, with the following members in attendance: Anne Bingham, Chair, Suzi Peck, Stan Rosen, and Jay Schwab. Jim Andrews, Health Agent for Engineering, was also present.
Glendale Village 40B
Alice Cheyer was in attendance for this discussion on the proposed development to be reviewed at a ZBA hearing on October 11th. Anne Bingham raised the issue of the test of “uneconomic” as being of utmost importance.
BOH members discussed the Earthtech memo to the ZBA. The reviewer recommended waiving the Article 7 definition of “Treatment Works”. The BOH does not want this waived: it doesn’t impose any additional expense; Anne Bingham stated that, given a system of this size with the number of working parts. direct and annual oversight by the BOH is completely appropriate. She further noted that Treatment Works became the definition for everything above 2000 gpd, since systems become fairly complex over 2000; because of size and density of systems over 2000, there are increased setbacks.
Suzi Peck stated that, when there is a multi unit dwelling, the chances of someone having a contagious disease are much greater. Sharon, particularly in the Glendale Road area, has dense housing. We are totally reliant on public wells for our drinking water; almost entirely on septic; this area feeds into Massapoag Brook - a more sensitive area.
Jay Schwab stated that Title 5 doesn’t satisfy the needs of the town of Sharon because of Sharon’s uniqueness; that’s why Article 7 exists and was revised to, among other items, include the definition of Treatment Works.
VOTED: (Peck/Rosen) unanimously to send a contingent to the ZBA hearing on October 11th (including Anne Bingham and Suzi Peck) to present the BOH stance and to challenge the basis of the Earthtech analysis and review the rationale for our stricter requirements, including greater setbacks, etc. Board members will present the philosophical argument that the state allows for more stringent local regulations when communities deem that necessary. Sharon’s Board of Health has, over the years, carefully crafted more stringent regulations, with research and public input, due to the town’s unique characteristics. This area of town , in particular, merits special requirements. The Earthtech memo simply dismisses Article 7 and reverts to Title 5 without any recognition of the
town’s unique environmental needs. Treatment works, setback distances, general public health concerns. Therefore, this project should be analyzed further; it is riding roughshod over Article 7 with no indication of the “uneconomic “ requirement of 40B. Board members will also discuss /review the bedroom definition issue with the ZBA. The Board will request design plans.
Cliff Towner, Chair, Lake Management Committee, appeared to discuss concerns about the low levels of water in the lake, as well as algae blooms, mussels dying etc.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 P.M.
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