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, September 2, 2015
Chilmark Town Hall
5:00 pm
Present: Katie Carroll, Matt Poole, Jan Buhrman
Also Present: Reid Silva (Vineyard Land Surveying and Engineering), Chris Alley (Schofield, Barbini & Hoehn), John Clarke (Island Water Source), Betsy Larsen & Robert Sloane (Larsen’s Fish Market)
Larsen/Sloane, 20 Stonewall Road (30-1) The Board conducted a Plan Review of a proposed processing kitchen to serve Larsen’s Fish Market. The food to be processed will be transported from the store under temperature control, processed at the proposed facility, and transported back to the Fish Market for sale. Food processed at the facility will only be for retail sale at the store, and will include only items already on the products list of the Parks and Rec Committee.
The Board considered that the existing 5-bedroom septic capacity is sufficient to service the proposed facility, in light of the fact that the property currently has three bedrooms and one office; the office can either be deed restricted as a space not intended for sleeping, or rendered incapable of providing privacy.
The Board made the following recommendations regarding the proposed plan:
- Review of septic system condition at time of tie-in;
- Annual septic review as a condition of Food Establishment Permit for the proposed facility until such time as the additional burden on the system posed by the facility is demonstrated to be within the capacity of the system;
- Hand sink foot-operated or with paddle-handles;
- Fluorescent lights covered;
- 2-bay food prep sink;
- FRP wall covering 8’ up.
The Board approved the proposed plan as discussed.
Vila, 183 State Road (33-115) Chris Alley came before the Board to continue the discussion around the bedroom count and septic system capacity. He asked whether the Board would consider a no-net increase in total bedroom count for the property, by having the detached bedroom removed entirely, enabling establishment of an accessory apartment in the existing barn. The apartment would have to be served by a separate septic system, since tie-in to the existing system is prevented by a wetland. The Board noted that it requires a new septic system for a relatively new structure, and requires variances from BOH regulations. It was unclear as to where the manifest injustice or undue hardship that is to be associated with the granting of variances would lie in this case.
The Board felt that having three habitable dwellings on this property also raises a zoning issue, and suggested that the proposal first be evaluated by the relevant authorities with regards to zoning.
Breuer, 5 Lovey’s Cove Road (33-124) Chris Alley requested out-of-season perc tests at the property, which would include placement of an observation pipe so that groundwater levels could be monitored during the high-water season. The Board agreed, but reserved the right to require in-season observation holes depending on the nature of the soils.
Meinelt, 181 South Road (18-50.2) The Board approved a replacement well permit application presented by John Clarke.
Matshullat, 34 Flanders Lane (26-28) John Clarke presented a replacement well permit application which requires a variance between the proposed well and the locus leaching system. A letter from the owner acknowledging the variance is on file. The Board approved the permit application as submitted.
Wolkowitz, 6 Nickerson Farm Lane (21-48.3) John Clarke came to the Board to address the need for a variance from the BOH regulation requiring 30’ separation from the property line down to 5’, due to extraordinarily difficult water access at the site. The variance would allow drilling on the side of a ridge that has yielded water in other areas, and may resolve the problem. The Board determined that the variance will not constrain the options of the abutter in question, and approved the permit application.
Norton, 17 Doctor’s Creek Path (24-134) Reid Silva presented a septic upgrade application to accompany a house renovation. The proposed plan does not require variances and was approved.
Harrison, 5 Guerin Lane (18-14.5) Reid Silva presented a septic tie-in proposal for an existing detached bedroom. The proposal is to add a toilet and pump chamber. It will require re-setting the existing tank, which will be replaced if it does not survive the re-setting procedure fully intact. The Board approved the proposal.
Moreis, 15 Ridge Hill Road (11-46.1) The Board noted that the four-bedroom building plan is within the capacity of the approved septic system for this property
LDO maintenance proposal: The Board reviewed a proposal to cut back the overgrowth on the drainage swale surrounding the Chilmark Landfill. The Board approved the proposal, pending confirmation from Don Hatch about estimated upcoming Landfill Maintenance expenses in FY’16.
PWS requirements: Marina Lent noted that the Board has received a notice of non-compliance following the Sanitary Survey conducted on DATE by Charles Shurtleff of DEP Drinking Water Program. The Report for PWS# 4062006 (Chilmark Community Center/Library) notes that corrective action is needed, and Marina Lent has engaged Frank and Peter Dunkl, certified at the VSS level, to act as secondary operators for the system, specifically with regards to any cross-connection control issue that may arise in the future.
Septic System Installer Permit application: The Board approved a license application from DECA, Inc.
Dog feces: A letter from Dr. Jams Scheuer, of Abel’s Hill was read into the record. The letter notes repeated encounters with an individual who refuses to remove his dog’s feces from the common area, including a beach area where children play. The Board noted that this unfortunate occurrence is taking place on private property, and asked Marina Lent to respond to the correspondence to advise the complainants to take up this matter with the Board of the Abel’s Hill Association.
Island Youth Collaborative: Jan Buhrman reported that the Island Youth Collaborative has held an open house to mark the inauguration of operations of its crisis stabilization unit. There are three clinicians on staff, and patients and their families can now be served by the facility.
Invoices: The Board approved the following invoices for payment:
- Reimburse Marina Lent LDO incinolet parts $143.83
- Reimburse Marina Lent for pH test strips (CCC PWS#4062006)
The meeting adjourned at 18:15 hours.
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________
Katherine L. Carroll, Chair Matthew Poole 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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