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, August 5, 2009
Chilmark Town Hall
5pm
Present: Katie Carroll (Chair), Mike Renahan
Absent: Jan Buhrman
Also Present: Marina Lent (Secretary), Chris Alley (Schofield, Barbini & Hoehn), Jim Hogan (Tea Lane Associates), Don Hatch (MV Regional Refuse District)
SOIL EVALUATOR CLASS CANCELLED Marina Lent reported that the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission has cancelled the spring Soil Evaluator class for the Southeast Massachusetts region. Since the NEIWPCC is the only contracted educational facility for obtaining Massachusetts certification, there will be no opportunity for Marina Lent to become certified until 2010. The $495.00 tuition fee will be refunded.
WIGGINS (31-2) Chris Alley (S,B&H) presented a plan for a comprehensive upgrade of the existing 2 bedroom septic system at 26 Abel’s Neck Road which is serving a three-bedroom house with a detached bedroom in the garage. The plan calls for replacement of a 1,000 gallon septic tank and pump chamber with a 1,500 gallon, Fix Activated Sludge Treatment “FAST” tank with pressure distribution over the leaching trenches, which allows a reduction in the required size of the leaching field. This is a boon for this challenging property, with its difficult soils, swimming pool and proximity to wetlands.
He noted that the proposal will require Conservation Commission approval, and a variance of 5’ to accommodate 145’ distance from leaching field to wetlands. He noted that the variance requested from the Board is actually an improvement over the current wetland-to-leachfield separation.
Mike Renahan asked whether there is a second well for irrigation, or whether the original well supplies all water used at the property. He asked when it was last tested, and whether it would suffice to serve the expanded bedroom capacity. Jim Hogan agreed that the well should be capacity-tested (the potability test has been done.)
The Board approved the disposal system construction permit application, contingent on completion of a bedroom count. The Operation and Maintenance contract for the FAST system will be made with the future owner of the property, and a copy will be provided to the Board.
Mike Renahan stated that the Board will want a bedroom count done. Jim Hogan agreed to contact Marina Lent to set that up.
RISSMAN (33-21) The Board received an Operation and Maintenance and sampling report for the Bioclere system for Arnie Rissman of 3 Elliot Avenue for the month of July 2009. The report shows total nitrogen out of compliance. In addition, the Board noted that sample results on file for this system do not reflect the conditions outlined in its letter of June 9, 2003 for approval of the disposal system construction application. The Board asked Marina Lent to look into this matter.
MV REFUSE DISTRICT CONSTRUCTION PLANS Don Hatch, head of the Martha’s Vineyard Refuse Disposal and Resource Recovery District (MVRD) discussed with the Board preliminary expansion plans for the MVRD. The proposed construction is located entirely on property currently owned by the MVRD, and all except a small corner of it is within the 200-foot buffer area for existing dwellings in the neighborhood.
He noted that the Towns of Tisbury and Oak Bluffs are currently leasing to purchase 11 acres directly adjacent to the MVRD, with a view to rejoining the District in the future. The question of whether and how to constitute an All-Island refuse district is currently under consideration by the All-Island Board of Selectmen’s meetings. These discussions will have to address two separate questions: the buy-in for the two Towns joining, and the distribution of total costs among all six Towns if/when they do.
In the meantime, however, the MVRD is moving ahead with plans for needed expansion, lest the currently-vacant 11 acres fall into private ownership with residential buffer zones that would preclude any expansion for the MVRD in the future.
Mike Renahan asked whether the planned expansion as outlined would allow the MVRD to accommodate all six Towns. Don Hatch stated that there would be no room to sort recycling. He also noted that the contract with SEMASS, the facility that receives and processes solid waste from the Island, is up for renewal in 2013.
Don Hatch explained that establishing a Local Drop-Off for the Town of Edgartown at the MVRD facility is an urgent priority. It is currently not possible to accurately estimate Edgartown’s share of the total solid waste generation. In addition, having Edgartown citizens use the MVRD as their local dropoff creates traffic congestion and other inefficiencies in the system.
Mike Renahan emphasized that the Towns of Oak Bluffs and Tisbury should provide more than land to the MVRD: at a minimum, the Oak Bluffs facility should be put in service for the Island if Oak Bluffs and Tisbury wish to rejoin the MVRD.
The Board asked Don Hatch whether Chilmark representative Alex Preston had been participating in meetings of the Board of Directors of the MVRD. Don Hatch stated he had frequently been absent over the past year, and Mike Renahan will contact Alex Preston to determine whether he will be able to represent the Town on a consistent basis over the coming year. Don Hatch noted the positive and constructive contributions made by Alex Preston at the meetings, and hoped that he will be able to continue his representation.
CAMPING PERMIT, PINTO ABRAMS, (18-23) The Board reviewed a camping permit application from Pinto Abrams, 32 Wintergreen Way. The Board noted that the abutter immediately adjoining the property had submitted a letter stating his agreement to the camp, despite its proximity to the property line. The Board emphasized the provision of its camping regulations which states that “…permits will be issued to property owners for the exclusive use of the property owner and their guests,” and noted that summer rentals to workforce or strangers would clearly violate the regulation.
The Board approved the permit, on the condition that the campsite not qualify the occupant for a separate beach permit.
Invoices
The following invoices were approved for payment:
· MVRD Transportation/Recycling to SEMASS-MSW $5,238.35
The Board noted the amount of trash generated by Town Hall: 34 1/2 barrels in one month might indicate a certain proportion of household trash. The Board also noted that, in the past, the Library has had a separate trash pickup, and asked Marina Lent to look into this question.
The meeting adjourned at 6:20pm.
_______________________ _______________________
Katherine L. Carroll, Chair Michael A. Renahan
Chilmark Board of Health Chilmark Board of Health
A recording of this meeting is on file at the Board of Health office and available for on-site review.
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