MINUTES
BOARD OF HEALTH
September 06, 2007
OPENING: The regular scheduled meeting of the Board of
Health opened at 7:00 p.m. The following members were in attendance:
Dr. Jerome Azia
Sue Brzoska
Casimir
Tryba
MINUTES
Ms. Brzoska
made a motion to accept the minutes of 08/23/07. Mr. Tryba seconded the motion and the vote of the Board was
unanimous in favor.
PUBLIC HEARING
Ms.
Brzoska made a motion to open the Public Hearing for
the petition of Sandra and Leonard Viscito, 4 Two States Avenue, at 7:00 p.m. and to wave the reading of the public notice. The abutter to the Viscito
property was notified of the public hearing through certified mail, but did not
attend the hearing. Mr. Tryba seconded the motion and the vote of the Board was
unanimous in favor. Mr. Viscito is requesting a variance from Title 5 on the
location of his well to his septic system.
The dwelling originally was only used seasonally, but has recently
become a full time residence. A new well
was constructed approximately twenty (20) years ago. The Viscito’s are
now in the market to sell the dwelling.
A Title 5 inspection revealed that the well is seventy-eight (78) feet
from the leach field, and the neighboring well is only
sixty-five (65) feet from their leach field.
Mr. Viscito had taken water samples of his and
the neighboring properties to a testing lab.
The results showed that the water does meet the Federal requirements for
safe drinking water on the Viscito property. The Board members were concerned that Mr. Viscito had taken the samples himself, and requested that
he submit his request for a variance in writing as required. At this time the Viscito’s
are not under any time constraints for the sale of the dwelling and will await
the decision of Board. Mr. Tryba made a motion to have the Board members discuss the
issue with Mr. FitzGerald before making a final
decision, and also motioned to close the hearing at 7:30 p.m. Ms. Brzoska seconded the motion and the vote of the Board was
unanimous in favor.
ATTENDANCE
Keith King, King
Brothers, attended the meeting to discuss the mandated public sewer
connection. Mr. King stated several
reasons why the connection cannot be done at this time. A discovery was made during the construction
of Tucker’s Restaurant that reveled that a drainpipe under Mr. King’s building
needed to be replaced. In the event the
pipe is disturbed by an installation to the public sewer system, it may cause
flooding and a disruption of the draining from College Highway. Mr. King did
contact the DPW Department, concerning who was responsible for the drainpipe,
but as of this meeting had not received a decision. Mr. King also stated that there was a
significant financial hardship as one estimate to connect to the public sewer
system exceeded $11,000.00, the business would need to be closed for an entire
week, and the parking area would have to be dug up. Mr. King also stated that they may be in the
process of re-locating the business, but do not have any definite time line as
of this meeting. Ms. Brzoska stated that she would discuss the drainpipe issue
with the DPW Department. Mr. Tryba stated that he was of the understanding that there
were to be no more extensions relative to connecting to the public sewer
system. Mr. King was previously allowed a
two year variance, which is now expired.
This request for a variance is based on recent information. The Board did advise Mr. King that he would
have to submit a request for a variance in writing, and regardless of the
decision on the extension, Mr. King would be required to connect to the public
sewer in the event of a septic system failure.
The Board will await the variance request in writing from Mr. King
before making a decision.
HEARING
Mr. Russ and Mr. Bob Fox,
636 College
Highway,
attended a hearing to discuss their mandated connection to the public sewer
system. Mr. Bob Fox explained that
Southwick Florist building is several feet from the property line that abutts the sewer system and an estimated cost for
connecting is between $15,000.00 and $20,000.00. Mr. Fox also noted that he is not aware of
where the sewer pipe actually abutts his
property. The septic system at the
flower shop has minimal use and is pumped on a yearly basis for maintenance
purposes. Mr. Tryba
stated that he was sympathetic to the issue, but was under the impression that
no more variances were to be granted.
Mr. Bob and Mr. Russ Fox did agree that in the event of a septic system
failure, they would connect to the public sewer system. The Board members will review the information
relative to the issue and make a decision at their next scheduled meeting.
DISCUSSION
1.
Dr.
Azia informed the Board that Town Counsel does have a
draft copy of the Wellhead Protection By-law.
2.
Dr.
Azia noted that the Plumbing Inspector did sign off
on 373 Granville Road.
3.
Dr.
Azia noted the recent issues relative to grease
causing septic system failures. The
Board will review existing regulations that address restaurant requirements to
submit pumping records for grease traps.
As there was no further
business to be brought before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Nilsson, secretary
______________________________ ____________________________________
Dr. Jerome Azia Casimir Tryba
______________________________
Sue Brzoska
__________________________
Date