MINUTES
EASTHAM BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2011,
3PM
Present: Dr. Lois Roth-Johnson, Pat LaRiviere, Dr. James Taylor, Dr. Martin Haspel, Jane Crowley, Susan Barker
Not Present: Beverly Knox
I. OPENING STATEMENTS
Jane Crowley, Health Agent introduced Laurie Gillespie-Lee to the Committee.
Jane Crowley reported on:
· Health Fair was a success and we want to repeat it. There will be a meeting to review what worked well and what could make it even better.
· Water Consultant, Environmental Partners, Eastham, development plans are going well and currently checking into the funding options. Internal and external water options are being reviewed.
· Working with wastewater consultant Mike Dominiea to contact and DEP & EPA officials. Focusing on reclassification of Rock Harbor which is a unique situation.
· Susan is very busy with opening inspections for restaurants, rental property, motels and pools. Jim Taylor asked if there is an increase in communication to property owners that rent property with regards to Rental Property Regulations and Requirements. Jane advised that communications are going out to make all property owners in Eastham aware of the permit and testing requirements. Jim commented that summer renters are more than welcome but we need to be aware of all homes being rented so that we can ensure the septic systems can accommodate the number of occupants and protect the environment..
· Question from audience – if you rent your property, who do you contact? Jane advised that the Town Clerk will issue the License and the Board of Health will conduct the inspection.
· Pat LaRiviere confirmed that the Health Fair was held and turnout was good. Most who attended were seniors and believes that was due to the time of day. The committee is looking into this and what changes can be made to get more of the total community involved.
· Pat also advised that the Windmill Weekend planning is underway. The dates set are September 10 and 11. Pat confirmed commitment from BoH to request booth space. BoH will attend to increase citizen awareness of BoH activities.
II. VARIANCE
1. Bennett Engineering 3 West Shore Drive M-7A P-3
Timothy Bennett presented for the owner John M. Hernon.
Tim provided specifics about the property – 1/3 of an acre with the entire dwelling within 100’ of top of coastal bank, septic failed as it is a cesspool, working to get the replacement leach area greater than 50’ from all wells is difficult. He is proposing an innovative system that reduction of effluent nitrate nitrogen that would result in environmental & public health approval. It is a FG tank.
Jane asked if the well could be relocated and Tim confirmed no. Jane asked for some additional information to be shown on the plan as this is a nitrogen sensitive lot.
o Location of cesspool
o Driveway
o Abbutters septic & well locations
Jane reiterated that any increase in habitable space would require abutter notification and BoH review.
Jim noted that any increase in habitable space would result in a new Board of Health Review.
Tim noted that he has made the changes Jane requested based on their previous discussion this week. He will leave the updated plans with the Board to review.
Abutters questions and comments:
o Maureen Keegan – 4 West Shore Dr – Concerned with the lack of maintenance of the sea wall, the machinery that will be coming in, her well which is less than 100ft away and the implications to her property. She has spoken to the potential buyer and is getting a different story from him than other neighbors are getting. Tim reviewed the map and plan with Maureen and what equipment would be coming in that would not impact her property.
o Paul Dinto – 1 West Shore Dr – When the well on this property was moved, there was a condition that if his septic was impacted, now or in the future, then the well would be moved. This was part of the approval when the well was initially put in and the condition was set by the Board of Health. This also concerns a property at 740 Campground Rd. Tim reviewed the map and estimated that there is 65’ (+/- 5’) between the well and Mr. Dinto’s septic.
o Joan Pemberton – 7A Hide Away Rd – Concerned with Tight Tanks and Coastal Dune. Would like the wall repaired and maintained so no leakage to her water area in the Bay. Jim advised that this is a top of the line system. Conditions for it are that there is routine water testing, it is inspected on a regular basis, operating and maintenance agreement is required for the life of the system and the property is noted for a maximum of 3 bedrooms.
Martin Haspel made the motion to accept as presented with the condition that the new plan shows the abutters septic systems and other items noted by Jane.
Dr. Lois Roth-Johnson seconded the motion.
SO VOTED UNAMIOUSLY
III. REVIEW
2. Jeff Spiegel 50 Gingerplum Ln M-18 P-125
Mr. Charles Spiegel on behalf of the homeowner addressed the Board to request a review of a plan to move the current office out of the house to the 2nd floor of the garage. The current master bedroom suite would be enlarged. The 2nd floor of the garage would also have a bedroom and bath. The current house is a 4 bedroom house and it would remain as a 4 bedroom.
Jane stated that a 4 bedroom septic was installed in 1988 and at that time the house had 3 bedrooms with a study that was not enclosed and had a railing. Lois noted that the assessment on the house states it is a 3 bedroom.
Mr. Jeff Spiegel stated that in 1990 he finished the 2nd floor of the house and increased the bedrooms to 4. He has a Certificate of Occupancy for both floors.
Dr. Martin Haspel made the motion to accept the proposed plan with restriction to keep the house as a 4 bedroom and it should also be in the deed.
Pat seconded the motion.
SO VOTED UNAMIMOUSLY
IV. EXTENSION REQUEST
3. Theodore Hout 85 Asa’s Rd M-4 P-88
Mr. David Lajoie requested a 1 year extension of the permit granted for this property.
Pat made the motion to accept the request for the extension.
Lois seconded the motion.
SO VOTED UNAMIMOUSLY
V. MINUTES
Minutes of the April 28, 2011 approved with one correction noted to reflect 3 approved and 1 denied versus 4 approved and 1 denied. Susan will make the necessary correction.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE/OTHER INFORMATION
Lois requested that in the future, workshops be focused on learning and only do cases that are an emergency. Jane stated that the reason she brought the cases she did to the last workshop as she felt the ones presented were good learning examples.
Lois also asked about the ¼ acre (10,000 sq ft) per bedroom rule. It appears that we have the rule yet not apply it consistently. Jane explained that based on pre-existing, non-conforming conditions, the number of bedrooms allowed varies.
June Workshop – set for June 8, 2011 at 9AM. An item for the agenda is Windmill Weekend and the BOH presentation at it.
Pat mentioned that when people come to the Board, they may not have all that they need and Jane may ask for more information or conditions. If this is the case, should those people come back next month or set up meeting with Jane? This is something we should consider going forward.
Meeting Adjourned at 4:15pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Laurie Gillespie-Lee
Operations Assistant
Board of Health
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