C h i l m a r k B o a r d o f H e a l t h
M i n u t e s
Wednesday, October 7th 2009
Chilmark Town Hall
5pm
Present: Katie Carroll (Chair), Mike Renahan
Also Present: Chris Alley (Schofield, Barbini & Hoehn), Reid Silva (Vineyard Land Surveying), James Hornblower (Owner, 33-118), Peter Rodegast (South Mountain Co. for Quinson), Marina Lent (Administrator-BOH)
Howland/Hornblower (33-118) Chris Alley and James Hornblower came before the Board to discuss possible options for development of a one-acre piece of property in the coastal district off Quitsa Pond. Chilmark regulations call for septic-to-septic separation of 300’ in the coastal district, which would not be possible to achieve on this property, because septic systems of abutters on either side are relatively near their respective boundaries with the Howland/Hornblower property. While the Board is able to grant a variance, regulations limit such a variance to 200’. This, too, is not feasible on this property. The greatest possible separation from the two adjacent septic systems would be 140’ (which would only work given the right kind of
soil at the specified location).
James Hornblower suggested that he would be willing to consider installing a composting toilet with a greywater system, if that would enable the Board to waive the 200’ minimum separation regulation.
Mike Renahan noted that a tight tank variance could be sought from the State; however, such a variance is not generally granted for new construction. He wondered if it might be possible to persuade abutters to relocate their septic systems, but this, too, appears doubtful.
Katie Carroll said that she did not have sufficient information about what might be possible under State regulations with regards to the composting toilet/greywater system, and she determined to look into this question.
Quinson (26-133) Chris Alley presented the Board with a revision to a previously-approved septic system which has not yet been constructed. The revision involves replacing the current 4-bedroom house with a 3 bedroom house, and adding a bathroom to a small outlying house. The proposal would not require any variances not already granted. Mike Renahan noted that the involvement of a nearby wetland and conversion of a shack to a guesthouse will require Conservation Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals approval. From a Board of Health standpoint, the plan revision doesn’t pose obstacles, and the Board approved the plan as revised, contingent on receipt of a well completion report and satisfactory potability test.
Weichert (4-13) Reid Silva presented a revision to a previously-approved proposed septic system: newly-planned changes to the house will now enable relocation of the proposed septic tank to a location originally suggested by the Board but previously deemed too onerous due to extensive construction changes that would be required to accomplish it. The Board approved the proposed revision to the plan.
Green (26-67) Reid Silva presented a septic design for a currently-vacant, 3.7 acre lot. The proposed plan does not require any variances. The Board approved the plan.
Brosheit (14-14) The Board reviewed the status of its order to repair the failed septic system on this property. Reid Silva explained that the owner had no intention of allowing the property to be occupied at any time prior to repair, but that she requested a one-year extension of the disposal system construction permit originally approved June 20, 2007. The Board approved the extension, and instructed Marina Lent to write a letter to Vicki Broscheit notifying her of the extension and also reiterating the Board’s order that the property may not be occupied until a functioning septic system has been installed.
Lyons (30-116.2, 117, 118) Reid Silva presented a plan to accommodate a proposed pool and pool house, eventually to be turned into a guesthouse, on a property whose coastal edge has experienced considerable erosion. In addition to the pool and pool house, the plan also calls for moving the existing house considerably further inland. The septic system currently serving the house is already located further inland, and was placed there four years ago at the request of the Board of Health.
A variance was required for the original system for the separation to the abutter’s well. When the pool house becomes a guest house, it could be tied into the same existing system, and the bedroom count would stay the same. However, in order to obtain approval for a guest house, one would have to demonstrate two fully-compliant septic systems.
A fully-compliant system could have been built close to the coastline, but was instead built further inland, where a septic-to-well variance was needed. The two fully-compliant systems can be demonstrated on the plan, if the inland system were to be reduced in size, while the other location, closer to the coast, can accommodate a fully-compliant system.
The Board took note of the proposal, which was discussed at this meeting, but has not yet been formally submitted.
MVC Proposed Air-based DCPC The Board took note of the proposed DCPC for airspace >200’ over surface waters surrounding the Island.
MVC Draft Island Plan: The Board took note of the draft Island Plan.
Massachusetts Cancer Registry, Incidence in Massachusetts, 2002-2006 The Board reviewed the report from the Massachusetts Department of Health.
Invoices: The following invoices were approved for payment:
- MAHB Certification Training for Marina Lent $90.00
- MVRD tipping fees, waste transportation, recycling transportation September 2009 $3,690.5
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