Minutes of Meeting
February 5, 2007
A meeting of the Sharon Board of Health was called to order on Monday, February 5, 2007, at 7:35 P.M., in the Sharon Town Office Building, with the following members in attendance: Anne Bingham, Chair; Suzi Peck; Stanley Rosen (absent for the first hearing only), and Jay Schwab, DMD. Jim Andrews, Health Agent for Engineering, was also present.
Variance Request:
Jay Kessler of 10 Borderland Road was present, along with contractor John Keefe, to request a variance from the BOH to allow him to maintain his existing 1000 gallon tank, rather than replacing it with a 1500 gallon tank. Title V requires a 1500 gallon tank (‘95 Code). Mr. Kessler plans an addition to his home and would be required to destroy $10,000 of new front stairs, a brick walkway, retaining wall, and other landscaping in order to replace the tank. The property received a Title V inspection certificate on December 8, 2005. The Board reviewed the GIS maps...found it not to be in a Zone I or Zone II or Surface Water or Groundwater Protection District.
Suzi Peck explained that these regulations were passed as yet another mechanism to bring systems up to code. She explained that the homeowner is held to a higher standard because he is requesting permission from ZBA for upgrades on a non-conforming lot. The Board reviewed the most recent revisions of Article 7..reviewed the plans and maps.....found no variance is required....and had no objection to the addition to the home with the existing tank.
Drew Wollman - Septic System Monitoring Program
Mr. Wollman was present to complain about the annual fee charged to homeowners for monitoring their I/A systems. Suzi Peck explained that I/A systems are extremely sensitive; re the need to protect the public health; and discussed the issue of fee for service. Basic rules for maintenance are imposed by the state. Mr. Wollman explained that he chose the I/A system rather than putting in a mound. He further stated that he has a contract with Moles Environmental and is maintaining the system; but doesn’t see why the town needs to charge him to monitor. Mr. Wollman complained about the cost of maintaining his system; he complained that the state should be monitoring compliance. Suzi Peck noted that the fee for the service is the only way the BOH can cover the costs required in monitoring. Anne Bingham noted that there is a duly passed regulation on the books requiring monitoring fees...and that the BOH is doing its work on the local level to protect the groundwater; the fee
applies to everyone with a variance granted by the Board, including everyone with an I/A system. She noted that Mr. Wollman might have recourse by challenging the regulation in the courts. Suzi Peck suggested that someone who is interested might gather all the I/A homeowners together to see if they might be able to obtain a lower rate for servicing their systems. She also asked for any creative ideas on another mechanism for funding this monitoring program.
10 Massapoag Avenue - Variance Request
Present again were Engineer William Gottwald, P.E., and Contract Michael Moreshead. Suzi Peck stated that the language of #5 and #6 of the request dated February 1, 2007, need to be corrected.
VOTED: (Bingham/Rosen) unanimously to approve plans for the repair of 10 Massapoag Avenue ...plans dated 12/10/06, revised 2/1/07, with a deed restriction limiting the property to 4 bedrooms; standard conditions, including recommendation of water-saving devices, e.g., low flow toilets; proof of maintenance contract to maintain the system; any new owner to be informed of the variance and conditions.
Proposed Lifestyle Center
The Board agreed that Anne Bingham and Suzi Peck will work on comments for the EDC on this proposal....and will circulate these comments to the other board members.
Animal Permit - 21 Lyndon Road
The board reviewed the plot plan, as well as manure disposal plan, for 21 Lyndon Road, and
VOTED: (Bingham/Rosen) unanimously to grant a permit for (not to exceed) one miniature horse for that location, with the proviso that the manure will be kept in a trash barrel and disposed of weekly. .
Minutes of Meeting
VOTED: (Bingham/Rosen) unanimously to accept the minutes of January 29, 2007.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 P.M.
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