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, May 16, 2012
Chilmark Town Hall
5:00 pm
Present: Jan Buhrman, Mike Renahan
Absent: Katie Carroll
Also Present: Marina Lent (Administrator), Reid Silva (Vineyard Land Surveying and Engineering), Chris Alley (Schofield, Barbini & Hoehn), Warren & Nan Doty (26-137)
Moses, 11 East Lane (32-72) Chris Alley discussed plans for a renovation of the existing dwelling and construction of a 2 bedroom guest house on the 3.5-acre property. The six-bedroom system previously approved by the Board on 11/02/2012 was not installed. He presented a 2-system plan showing that two separate, Title-5 compliant systems are possible on the lot.
17:20 Open BOH meeting: quorum achieved.
The Board noted that two Title-5 compliant systems are possible on the lot.
Public Hearing 5:25pm
Joroff, 5 Sarah Brown Lane (7-56) Marina Lent reported on a site visit for the purpose of determining fitness of the residence for human habitation under the State Sanitary Code Title II, “Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation”. The site visit was limited to the septic system. The system is in obvious failure: a patch of bare, saturated ground ca. 1x1m is surrounded by lush wetland vegetation; water pooled on the surface is oily in appearance.
According to the Code, a non-functioning septic system is one of the conditions “which may endanger or impair the healthy, or safety and well-being of a person or persons occupying the premises.” (Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation—State Sanitary Code, chapter II, 105 CMR 410.750)
The Board of Health determined that the dwelling is unfit for human habitation and ordered that the house be secured and may not be occupied without prior permission from the Board of Health.
Public Hearing 5:35pm
Balaban, Menemsha Crossroads (26-137) The Board reviewed a septic system construction permit application presented by Reid Silva for a septic system upgrade to a failed system. The plan calls for the following variances from Board of Health Regulations: Leaching system to property line from 30’ 14’; leaching system to locus well from 150’ 102’; leaching system to wetland from 150’ 4’.
A drip dispersal system will be necessary in this case due to high ground water. Although the plan will require variances to Chilmark Board of Health Regulations, it is clearly an improvement over the current system, a failed cesspool in groundwater, and leaching trenches with severely reduced absorption capacity. The separation to wetland will have to be reduced from the required 150’ to 4’; the drip dispersal system was chosen in part because its installation is less invasive than the mounded system that would otherwise be required at this location, but also because drip dispersal is likely to maximize treatment of the effluent to render it benign. The system will consist of a standard septic tank and a pump chamber with dosed, time-released pumping to the field.
An important feature of a drip dispersal system is the protection of the delicate field from any and all possible vehicular traffic. Reid Silva proposes placing boulders that cannot be removed by hand around the field at intervals too small for a car to traverse.
Abutters Warren and Nan Doty expressed interest in learning about the drip dispersal technology and noted that the system appeared to be a significant improvement in a clearly challenging location.
The Board approved the proposed plan and permit application.
Packer (Menemsha Market) 511 North Road (27.1-97) Reid Silva presented a septic system construction permit application for two 1,500 gallon tight tanks to serve as a blackwater sewage disposal system. The Board, after carefully reviewing a similar proposal at its meeting of April 6 2011, had approved the greywater portion of the proposed system, but asked the owners to seek to install a composting toilet, in light of guidance from Title 5 which states that tight tanks are to be approved only as a last resort.
Reid Silva noted that the only change from the plan approved by the Board in 2011 is that both tanks are standard 1,500 size in the current proposal, rather than one tank at 1,000 and one at 1,500 gallons. Mike Renahan asked whether the proposed tanks will be able to withstand vehicle traffic. Reid affirmed that they will. The Board also asked how the existing metal tank, located under the building, will be abandoned; Reid Silva replied that it will be pumped out and filled in.
Reid noted that DEP approval is not required for a seasonal tight tank proposal. The Board approved the proposed plan, expressing its hopes that the system will be installed as soon as possible, in order to enable the Menemsha Market to open in a timely fashion for the 2012 summer season.
Perc Season 2011/2012 The Board decided that the 2011/2012 perc season will remain open for the month of May.
Portal Hill Ltd. 21 Lake Road (35-3.3) The Board approved an emergency well replacement permit application submitted by George Sourati on behalf of well driller John Clarke, with the requirement that the existing well is to be properly abandoned, and that the proposed well location is to be staked by a licensed engineer.
Smith, 36 Black Point Road (23-9.2) The Board approved a proposed 1 ¼” well and 4” replacement well permit application prepared by Kent Healy on behalf of John Clarke, with the requirement that the existing well is to be properly abandoned, and that the proposed well location is to be staked by a licensed engineer.
Well Permit Application Process The Board noted that every well permit application brought to the Board, with the exception of replacement wells being drilled in direct proximity to the existing well, must be accompanied by a plan produced by a professional engineer. The Board also stated that the application must confirm that the well has been staked prior to submission of the application to the Board for review. The Board stated that incomplete applications will not be considered.
Goldberg, 19 Peaked Hill Road (19-5) Sewage treatment and disposal system as-built letter and plan received, certificate of compliance issued.
Scranton 435 North Road (20-62) well completion report received—potability passes
Food Establishment Permits issued to: Chilmark Store, Beetlebung Coffee Shop, The Bite
Drinking Water Fair, Mass Maritime Academy June 21, 2012. Marina Lent would like to attend the Fair to obtain 3 CEUs towards recertification of Drinking Water Operator Treatment One status. The Board approved.
Harbor pump-out and drinking water access Marina Lent noted that timely attention to the proper functioning, maintenance and use of the Harbor Sewage Pump-out station might help to prevent hazardous practices witnessed in past years, and encourage use of this important service provided by the Town. She reported that she had discussed the matter with Executive Secretary Tim Carroll, who had suggested that she might learn the proper operation of the pump and offer to instruct harbor staff in safe and appropriate use and maintenance of the equipment. Mike Renahan felt it would be more appropriate to alert the Town to this Harbor-related responsibility. The Board asked Marina to write a letter to the Board of Selectmen, noting concerns about potential threats to public health from
inappropriate use of the equipment by boaters and harbor staff.
Choke-saver class Marina Lent reported that a choke-saver class for food establishment personnel will be held on June 18 at the Oak Bluffs Public Library. The class is provided free of charge by the Martha’s Vineyard Medical Reserve Corps. Proper use of the Heimlich maneuver in a foreign body airway obstruction all too often cannot wait for the arrival of the ambulance if the patient’s life or brain function is to be saved. Restaurants over 25 seats will be required to send one staff person to attend the class; others will be strongly encouraged to attend.
Invoices: The following invoices were approved for payment:
- VNA April 2012 $550
- Araujo – Bathhouse porta-pot $150
- Wampanoag Environmental Lab Q2 drinking water test PWS 4062006 Chilmark Community Center and Library $50
The meeting adjourned at 18:46 hours.
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________
Katherine L. Carroll, Chair Michael A. Renahan Janet L. Buhrman
Chilmark Board of Health 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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