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, February 3, 2016
Chilmark Town Hall
5:00 pm
Present: Katie Carroll, Matt Poole, Jan Buhrman
Also Present: Reid Silva (Vineyard Land Surveying and Engineering), George Sourati (Sourati Engineering), Frank Daly (PE), Bruce Golden, Kent Healy, Billy Meegan, Troy Maciel (Maciel & Sons, Inc.), Scott Bermudes (33-15), James Ferry (33-15), Tatiana Ferry (33-15)
Minutes of January 20, 2016 approved.
Menemsha Bathhouse septic system: Kent Healy provided a status report on the septic system serving the bathhouse in connection with the planned renovation of the building. The septic system serving the bathhouse is functioning well under current use levels with careful management and at least two pumpouts per season. However, any significant increase in use could threaten to overwhelm the existing system, triggering a costly upgrade. In addition, the sustainability of water use from the Menemsha Water Company well should also be taken into consideration.
The Board is concerned that, even if the number of shower stalls, sinks, and toilets remains the same, a renovation could inspire people to use the facility more intensively, thus increasing water use and wastewater disposal beyond sustainable limits. To ensure extended use of the existing septic system, the Board would like to recommend the following:
- Waterless urinals in the men’s room;
- Dual-flush toilets throughout the facility;
- Self-regulating faucets;
- Low-flow showerheads and timed use (in addition, the town could consider providing a price-incentive for sparing use of water: the first 5 minutes are low-cost, the next 5 would cost more, and the price goes up in increments the longer the shower runs);
- Septic-friendly toilet paper;
- Clear directives to the public about what not to flush down the toilet.
In order to be effective, these and similar measures must be accompanied by active observation of the system and conscientious maintenance.
After lengthy conversation regarding a system that has had numerous “band-aids” over the years, the bathhouse upgrade should trigger a full inspection of the system and possible upgrade and/or additions to the infiltrator bed. The Board asked Marina Lent to write a letter to the Board of Selectmen reflecting these views and recommendations.
Golden, 30 Wintergreen Way (18-22) Frank Daly presented a septic system upgrade proposal which does not require variances. The Board approved the proposed plan and application.
5:30pm PUBLIC HEARING
Nitchie, 165 State Road (33-112) Reid Silva presented a well replacement permit application which requires the following variances from Chilmark BOH Regulations: well to leaching area separation 200’ required (Coastal District separation), proposed 86’ separation from the locus well, 160’ from abutter’s well; well to property line separation: 30’ required, 2’ proposed. Marina Lent reported having received one phone call, from Della Darling, in connection with the hearing notification; she had had no concerns about the proposed replacement well plan. The Board advised that the well will need to be protected from vehicle damage, and approved the application.
5:50pm PUBLIC HEARING
Wolf/Kegan, 127 State Road (33-15) George Sourati presented a septic system plan revision which requires the following variances from Chilmark BOH Regulations: to reduce the required distance from a leaching system to the abutter’s leaching system from the 300’ required in the Coastal District down to 160’; to reduce the required separation between the leaching system and a wetland from 150’ to 137’; to reduce the well to leaching field separation from 150’ to 107’; to reduce the separation of the leaching system to property line from 30’ to 24’. Due to archeological findings, he stressed that no other location for the leaching field could be found.
Marina Lent reported receiving a call from James Ferry regarding the need to maintain vegetative visual screening between the property and its abutter. James Ferry clarified that the vegetative screening will need to be restored at the location previously foreseen for the leaching field, which was abandoned once shown to be inappropriate following archeological evaluation. James Ferry and Scott Bermudes noted that there is a “gentlemen’s agreement” that the plantings that had been cleared at that site will be restored.
The Board approved the proposed plan, pending receipt of a letter acknowledging that the separation between the leaching field and locus well is less than Chilmark BOH requirements.
Freydberg, 12 Hill Land Road (32-40) George Sourati presented a septic system upgrade application for a dwelling previously approved for its existing three-bedroom system, but which currently has five bedrooms. The system qualifies as a failed system as it appears to be in groundwater. The upgrade will require variances. The Board set a public hearing date for 5:30pm on March 2nd, 2016.
Grey Barn Farm: Marina Lent provided an update on the question of farm worker housing for a Grey Barn employee who had been living in a barn room with a washbasin that was not hooked up to a Title 5 compliant septic system. She reported on conversations with Eric Glasgow, according to which the following immediate steps are to be taken: the non-compliant sink has been removed, and the tenant will move into the upstairs bedrooms in the house currently occupied by the farm manager’s family. Eric Glasgow will explore the possibility of getting the upstairs converted into a separate apartment if the arrangement is agreeable to all parties.
The Board noted that the questions around such housing arrangements are not solely up to the Board of Health, but are subject to review by the Building Inspector and Zoning Board of Appeals as necessary. The Board asked Marina Lent to write a letter to Eric Glasgow, reiterating the Board’s understanding of the steps to be taken to create compliant worker housing.
Maciel & Sons, Inc. The Board held a discussion with Troy Maciel about discrepancies discovered in an invoice submitted to a Chilmark client and the pumpout records of these transactions submitted to the Board of Health office by the Edgartown Wastewater Treatment plant. Troy Maciel replied that the receipts of the EWWT do not accurately reflect each property’s share of a given load, since the treatment plant is not billing by individual origin of septage, but bills for the entire truck, and the truck usually contains more than one property’s septage. Historically, the Chilmark Board of Health has requested one pumpout per truckload. He stated that he monitors the gage on his truck at the site during the pumpout and that the amounts invoiced to the client accurately
reflect the gallons removed from the site. Jan Buhrman noted that her experience as a caterer also involves dealing with orders of food to serve multiple clients. She felt the Board needs more information about the procedures used.
The Board also pointed out that the two septic system treatments reflected in the invoice are not permitted in Chilmark, since no septic system additives are permitted. Troy Maciel replied that the client had strongly requested the treatment in an effort to extend the life of the system. He noted that he has urged the client to contact the Board of Health to begin the process of a septic system upgrade, but she has declined. The Board asked what product was used, and, although somewhat reassured that it is on the DEP list of allowable products, Aid-ox is still not permissible in Chilmark.
The Board asked Troy Maciel to provide documentation of the explanations given in this case. Matt Poole made a motion, and Katie Carroll seconded, to suspend Mr. Maciel’s Septage Hauler Permit in Chilmark until such time as the matters under discussion have been satisfactorily resolved with the Board. The Board asked Mr. Maciel to bring the requested documentation to its next meeting on February 17th. The motion passed by two votes in favor; Jan Buhrman voted against. Matt Poole will work with the Edgartown Wastewater Treatment Plant to obtain their information regarding procedures used to track wastewater delivered to the plant.
Administrator/Inspector BOH Matt Poole described the position description drafting process he is undertaking with members of the Human Resources Board (HRB) on behalf of the Board of Health. He stated that the HRB prefers to make changes to the 2008 description rather than reviewing the updated draft provided by the Board of Health. He noted that the language in the position description is vague enough to cover current activities of the BOH office, which are expanded from what they were in 2008. Matt Poole reviewed some minor corrections he had made to the draft, and said that he will transmit the draft to the HR Board.
Spring BOH meeting scheduling: Jan Buhrman requested that the Board consider rescheduling its meetings for March to fall on the second and fourth, instead of the first and third Wednesdays, as she will be otherwise unable to attend. The other members of the Board confirmed that, barring unforeseen circumstances, they will both be able to attend the meetings in question, and that a public hearing has been scheduled for one of these meetings—the Board decided to maintain its regular schedule for the month of March.
2016 Food Establishment: Chilmark Chocolates;
2016 Pasteurization Permit: Mermaid Farm and Dairy
Well Completion Reports: MacDowell, 12 Old Nursery Lane (7-9); Meinelt, 131 South Road 18-50.2; Meinelt, 131 South Road 18-50.3;
Title 5 Official Inspection Report: Campbell, 114 Middle Road (12-42);
Invoices: The Board approved the following invoices for payment:
- MVRD SEMASS (town waste) $12
- MVRD SEMASS $ 1,545.15
- MVCS, Island Wide Youth Collaborative $192
- SSA ticket to Falmouth meeting on eco-toilets $17 reimburse Marina Lent
The meeting adjourned at 18:45 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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