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 6, 2019
Chilmark Town Hall
5:00 pm
Present: Katie Carroll, Matt Poole,
Absent: Jan Buhrman
Also Present: Kent Healy, Reid Silva,
Glasgow, 36 South Road (11-50) Chris Alley, Eric Glasgow addressed a proposed septic system for a proposed additional two-bedroom house at 36 South Road, which will be used for worker housing under agricultural zoning exemption, and an existing five-bedroom house. The leaching field, which was installed in 2009, will be extended to accommodate the proposed two bedroom dwelling, and a separate plan showing the possibility of constructing two systems in full compliance was also provided. The plan does not require variances and was approved by the Board.
17:30 Public Hearing
Doty, 62 Menemsha Crossroad (26-105) Reid Silva presented the septic system construction plan reviewed by the Board at its previous meetings. The Board had noted at its public hearing on January 2, 2019, that the plan itself is acceptable in principle, and had postponed approval until all abutters had been notified, which has since occurred. The Board approved the proposed system with the following conditions:
- A notice of the innovative/alternative (I/A) system on the property shall be filed with the registry of deeds;
- An valid and current Operation and Maintenance Agreement to service the I/A system shall be provided to the Health Department;
- The cleared space shall be limited to that shown as the area of proposed clearing on the construction plan approved by the town;
- There shall be no lawn irrigation on the property;
- In the event of transfer of the property outside of direct lineal descendants, the Board shall undertake a review of the system and consider upgrade to enhanced treatment for the Main House; this stipulation to be recorded at the Registry of Deeds.
- In the event of system failure, the Board shall undertake a review of the system and consider upgrade to enhanced treatment for the Main House.
Steck, Brickyard Road (9-2.8), Reid Silva presented a septic system revision which does not change separation compliance and was approved by the Board.
The Yard, (26-91) Reid Silva requested an informal discussion with the Board regarding options for the bedroom count at The Yard. The property currently has 4+4+4 bedrooms in three of the buildings on the property, plus a performance hall and a studio-with-office building. The company would like a fifth bedroom capacity in one of the dwellings, but the property is highly constrained by wetlands. Reid suggested that the office/studio building could be considered a single unit with the performance hall, which would not require additional flow, but the Board felt that this would not be appropriate, and that the existing number of bedrooms along with intensive use of the property is already stretching the limits of this sensitive area.
Septic System Installer application: Hartwell & Sons, Inc. The Board approved a septic system installer permit for Hartwell and Sons, Inc., to construct the proposed system upgrade for the USCG Station at Menemsha.
29 Young’s Way (29-22) The Board noted that basement renovation plans do not appear to add to the existing bedroom count, and asked Marina Lent to confirm the capacity of the existing septic system. If the existing system adequately serves existing bedrooms at the property, the Board accepts the proposed renovation to be within the capacity of the existing system.
Island-Wide Youth Collaborative: The Board reviewed a proposed contract and budget for its contribution to this important program for the current fiscal year, FY’19, and the upcoming year FY’20. Matt explained that this program had been an island-wide programs, but that this year, Oak Bluffs is unable to contribute. He stressed the importance of this type of program as a joint effort of all the towns, and noted that the Health Agents will work together to re-establish a common approach.
The Board welcomed the more formal and accountable detailing of program activities provided by program director Susan Mercier, and noted that the value of the program is not in question, but that more detailed ongoing reporting is desirable. The Board looks forward to signing a contract with the Island-Wide Youth Collaborative in FY’20, and asked Marina Lent to communicate its findings to Susan Mercier.
Draft Annual Report 2018 The Board approved the draft annual report 2018.
Menemsha Water Company Reclassification Marina Lent reported on receipt of a notice from Mass DEP that the Menemsha Water Company is to be reclassified as a Community Water System, which will add certain testing and review requirements. She also noted that this seems to be a time of turnover of PWS management in Chilmark and in the up-Island towns in general, as Frank and Peter Dunkl are relinquishing their water operator responsibilities for a number of small systems. The Board asked Marina Lent to follow up with DEP and the Menemsha Water Company to explore how to facilitate a transition to water operations in the future.
Chilmark Store 7 State Road (30-85) Kent Healy discussed with the Board how to address septic system repair and improvements at the Chilmark Store. The Board noted that the system has been in operation for decades now, and that improvements in technology since the original design could improve system function and ensure long-term continued operation.
The Board asked whether the well under the corner of the Chilmark Store building is still in operation, and if not, whether that old well has been decommissioned. Kent Healy said he was under the impression that the store is served by the PWS well between the Store and the Tavern, but assured the Board that he will confirm the status of drinking water source for the Chilmark Store.
Matt Poole asked for detailed information on how the two beds are fed, and whether both are deployed regularly, or whether one of them acts as a reserve. He also noted that the filter used in the system is likely to benefit from an upgrade.
All were in agreement that the grease trap is a critical feature of the sound management of wastewater at this intensively-used Chilmark food establishment. Kent Healy will include an assessment of the grease trap in his review of the system.
The Board reviewed the conditions of approval on file for this property, and asked Marina Lent to forward the conditions to current establishment owners Joel Glickman and Jennifer LoRusso. They acknowledged the likely fact that the conditions may not have been passed down over the course of multiple changes in ownership over the past few decades.
Kent Healy will work with building owner Frank LoRusso and establish the following, among other things: dosing rate; quality and maintenance of the grease trap; alarm system for the wastewater holding tank; ways to improve the system; whether a porta-pottie is used during the summer and by whom; and whether a winter line is needed in this seasonal establishment. The Board looks forward to hearing a report from Kent Healy following his assessment of the system.
Rabies Vaccination Exemption Request, The Board approved a rabies vaccination exemption for Tiki Mayhew, who has a compromised immune system, per Vineyard Veterinary Care.
Invoices: The Board approved the following invoices for payment:
- Wampanoag Lab Q1 water test CCC/Library $75
- Araujo Bros. Menemsha Porta-Pottie
- MVRD SEMASS and Transportation $1,102.50
The meeting adjourned at 18:55 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.
| 