 |
Wellfleet Board of Health
Minutes of Meeting of April 28, 2010
Senior Center, Long Pond Room, 7:00 p.m.
Present: Richard Willecke, Lezli Rowell, Ken Granlund, John O’Hara, Agent Hillary Greenberg-Lemos, Assistant Agent Andrew Petty, and Christine Bates
Regrets: Alex Hay
Chair Willecke opened the meeting at 7:00 pm.
I. Title V Variances Requests~ No submissions
~
II. Business
a) Lee, 95 Rockwell Ave, Map 24, Parcel 159:~ Board of Health review for proposed renovation. Attorney Ben Zehnder represented the applicant, and gave a history of the property stating it has been approved with a two bedroom design flow septic upgrade, with standard condition for review with any addition to habitable area, for lot size under 10,000 square feet The applicants want to renovate the dwelling, adding a dormer and bedroom upstairs, which results in 119 square foot increase in habitable space Agent
Greenberg-Lemos stated that the floor plan meets the two bedroom criteria. Lezli Rowell moved to approve the plan as presented; seconded by John O’Hara; passed 4-0
~
~
b) Wellfleet Market – Request for Extension. Tim Brady represented the applicant and stated that the Purchase and Sales Agreement has been signed and a closing will take place in May He reported he has permission to start installing the system prior to the closing. He will order the I/A system, and the other parts of the system will be installed within the next few weeks. Brady requested an extension to June 21, 2010. Ken Granlund moved to extend the Order of Conditions to
6/21/10; seconded by John O’Hara, passed 4-0.
~
c) Board of Health Regulation changes
Jerry Houck requested he be allowed to make a statement at the beginning of the meeting because he had a previous commitment. He stated he is opposed to the closing of the transfer station during the summer months because it would inconvenience citizens as well as businesses.
~
Section 605A: (when there is a property transfer and the system is known as a failure, there will be a requirement to upgrade within 30 days) The purpose is to accrue money for the upgrade. The Board edited the wording and determined it should fall under Section 603. Ashley Fawkes Sylver, realtor, asked if this applied to commercial or residential transfers, and stated it would be difficult for owners to have complete septic plans drawn and installed within 30 days.
Agent Greenberg-Lemos stated that this measure is for properties that are typically under enforcement, and the Board can grant extensions. Lezli Rowell moved to have additional language added to Section 603 of the regulations; seconded by Ken Granlund; passed 4-0.
Section 900 Farm Animals (yearly water tests). Agent Greenberg-Lemos stated that in the past, there were very few water tests performed and the Board had not required water testing. Lezli Rowell gave a history of Section 900 and how the Board had to grant variances for lots less then ¾ acre lots. The reason for Section 900 is to insure safe water for both the owners and abutters. Rowell stated the Board is concerned with the animal permits granted on undersized lots, and requested an opportunity to refine the proposed language more specifically to address non-compliant situations Helen Miranda Wilson stated that she has four chickens, and was concerned that many people in town do not have the money to have their water checked on a yearly basis. She felt
there is already good language in the regulations which can be enforced because the Health Agent can go on anyone’s property. Victoria Peccoraro, landscaper and property owner, stated there are several properties that are using commercial fertilizers and feels they are more hazardous nitrogen sources. Agent Greenberg-Lemos stated the Board of Health cannot write any regulations regarding commercial fertilizers and stated that public education is the best way to deal with fertilizer contributions to high nitrates. Dale Rice stated she was on the committee involved when it determined that the minimum lot size of ¾ acres. from zoning should be the standard for granting animal permits Barbara Austin stated she spoke with the Farm Bureau, and suggested doing random nitrate level checks on all properties, not singling out just the farm properties, with the funding for the wastewater money. Agent Greenberg-Lemos stated the money for
wastewater is specified. Austin stated that yearly testing is overkill and there should be a baseline O’Hara stated the Board should have the opportunity to test properties if the nitrates are borderline. Granlund feels abutting properties could be causing the problems and should be addressed in the regulations. Steve Pechonis expressed concerns regarding abutting properties, and feels that those with farm animals may be discriminated against. Ashley Fawkes-Sylver recommended manure be allowed to go to the dump as an alternative recycling and they have the capability to turn the manure for compost, made available for the public. Paul Lindberg, from the DPW, stated he was not aware why manure is not allowed at the transfer station Rowell also recommended the manure could be used at the community garden area. Jim Willis stated he has studied manure management programs and learned that if the manure is allowed to dry, almost all
the nitrates will dissipate, and also that cesspools create more nitrates. Helen Miranda Wilson stated she would like to see an addition to section E to use the word “ground water pollution”. The Board will review the wording and present it at the May 26, 2010 meeting. Lezli Rowell moved to continue Section 900 Farm Animal regulation to May 26, 2010; seconded by John O’Hara; passed 4-0.
Section 1000 – transfer station. Chair Willecke gave a history of Eastham’s proposal to share the transfer stations, allowing Eastham’s residents the use of Wellfleet's transfer station on Saturdays and Sundays, and Wellfleet residents could use Eastham’s on Wednesdays and Thursdays Paul Lindberg stated he did not see where money would be saved, and Willecke state it would free up personnel for other DPW work. Willecke stated it would be easy for Wellfleet residents to stop at Eastham; however not as convenient for the residents of Eastham. Lindberg stated commercial/restaurant businesses will be affected greatly. Katie Suggs stated that she has over 35 rentals each summer, and she knows how much garbage is left at cottages and people want to know when
their garbage will be taken care of. Agent Greenberg-Lemos suggested Wellfleet’s transfer station be open 7 days a week during the summer, and be open 5 days a week during the winter months. The Eastham residents would still be able to use our station during the summer. Alfred Pickard stated he doesn’t support the summer 5 day work schedule because he would not want to promote people driving Route 6 to Eastham. He also stated people will probably use the Town’s dumpsters or garbage cans for their household garbage and leave it. Stephen Pickard stated there are not enough garbage cans at the beaches, throughout town, and we will see garbage on the road. Agent Greenberg-Lemos stated the Energy Committee is considering removing some of the cans from the ocean beach areas. Granlund stated this summer is not the time to start having our transfer station closed two days and he stated it would impact him as a business owner.
Lindberg stated there would be signs “carry in / carry out” where the beach trash barrels would be eliminated. He currently has 54 locations for barrels. O’Hara stated several people have talked to him and stated the smaller businesses will be hurt if the transfer station is closed 2 days because they do not have the ability to store the wastes. Granlund recommended keeping the transfer station open 7 days a week from Memorial Day to the 3rd week in September, then go to the 5 day schedule for the rest of the year. Agent Greenberg-Lemos suggested having an article written in the newspaper to inform more people and PersonNameLezli Rowell recommended contacting the summer residents group. Ken Granlund moved to revisit this in September 2010; seconded by Lezl Rowell; passed 4-0.
III. Licenses
none
IV Minutes
none
V.~ Correspondence
none
John O’Hara moved to adjourn at 8:30 pm; seconded by Ken; passed 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Christine A. Bates
Committee Secretary
| |
