HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoH - 04/23/2019 APPROVED
COHASSET BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES
DATE: TUESDAY,April 23, 2019
TIME: 6:00 P.M.
PLACE: COHASSET TOWN HALL—Board of Health Conference Room
41 HIGHLAND AVENUE, COHASSET, MA 02025
Board Members Present: Public Health Agent:
Robin Lawrence, DDS, MPH, Chairman Pam Fahey, MPH
Lynn Doxey, MPH, Vice Chair Field Engineer:
Michael Pollastri, PhD, Clerk Jason Federico
Recording Secretary: Public Health Nurse:
Amy Davis Mary Goodwin, RN
6:00 P.M. Meeting called to order
6:04 P.M. 55 Sohier Street Septic System Design Plan, Morse Engineering
In attendance for this hearing: Gregory Morse, Morse Engineering, Victor Matchak, Homeowner
Materials used for this agenda item:
• Application for Disposal System Construction Permit dated 6/11/2018, date stamped 6/13/2018
• Septic Design Plan for 55 Sohier Street dated 6/11/2018, revised 3/7/2019, date stamped 3/22/2019
• Form 12 Percolation Test Dated 5/10/2018 &5/21/18, date stamped 6/18/2018
Greg Morse, Morse Engineering, reviewed the revised plans for 55 Sohier Street.The property is an existing
5 bedroom house that is serviced by a septic tank, soil absorption system (pit with trench) that will be
pumped, crushed, and removed. A Title 5 inspection was completed on 12/11/2017 for the previous
homeowners and failed. The homeowner was ordered to replace the system by 12/11/2019 and to pump
system quarterly until it is replaced.Victor Matchak purchased the property on 4/10/18 and has hired Morse
Engineering to design an upgraded Septic System. The property is located in a Zone II and will requires an
innovative alternative system, an O&M contract, and a deed restriction. The system will consist of a Hoot
aerobic treatment tank with plastic leaching chambers. Variances are not required.
MOTIONED BY: Dr. Michael Pollastri moved to approve the proposed upgrade septic system design plan at
55 Sohier Street dated 6/11/2018 and revised on 3/7/2019.
SECONDED BY: Dr. Lawrence
6:08 P.M. Approved the Warrant Members signed the warrant for 3/19/19 to 4/23/19
6:09 P.M. Set Next Meeting Date Tuesday May 21, 2019 at 6:30
6:10 P.M. 25 Tad Lane Septic System Discussion, Morse Engineering
In attendance to discuss this agenda item: Gregory Morse, Morse Engineering; Rich & Tanya Menchi,
potential property owners; Christine Powers, seller's agent; Mary Beiche, buyer's agent; and Paul Davis,
Title 5 Inspector.
APPROVED
Gregory Morse, Morse Engineering, reviewed the history of 25 Tad Lane in regards to the septic system.The
house was built in 1999 as new construction and a new septic system was installed.The property is currently
for sale and passed a Title 5 on 7/09/2018 performed by Paul Davis, Rosano Davis. The attorney reviewing
the property for Mr. and Mrs. Menchi, potential property owners, was informed by the Cohasset Board of
Health and the Cohasset Sewer Department that if a property has the ability to connect to Town sewer, it
must tie into sewer, based on local Title 5 supplemental regulations. Mr. Morse would like to discuss,
whether it is feasible for 25 Tad Lane to connect to Town Sewer? Mr. Morse reviewed the Mass DEP
regulations and the Town of Cohasset Supplemental Regulations to the Board in regards to feasibility.
Mass DEP Title 5 Regulation:
15.004:Applicability:
(3) No new system shall be constructed, and no system shall be upgraded or expanded, if it is feasible
to connect the facility,or any portion of the facility for which system approval is sought,to a sanitary sewer,
except in the following circumstances and particularly to promote recharge of stressed basins, improve low
stream flow, or address other local water resource needs:
(a) the system is an alternative system approved for use pursuant to 310 CMR 15.280 through 15.288
and the Department has made the determination that any person using such alternative system
need not connect the facility to such sanitary sewer;
(b) the system fully complies with 310 CMR 15.00 and does not require:
1. a local upgrade approval, unless issued pursuant to 310 CMR 15.405(1) (a) or(b); or
2. a variance; or
(c) the owner of an existing system has obtained a variance from this requirement pursuant to 310
CMR 15.410 through 15.415.
Town of Cohasset Supplemental Rules and Regulations:
15.004:Applicability
(3) (d) Feasibility shall be determined based upon the following criteria:
a. The presence of an existing municipal sanitary sewer proximate to the site;
b. The availability of capacity in the existing municipal sanitary sewer, as determined by the
Cohasset Board of Sewer Commissioners;AND
c. If sanitary sewer capacity is not available at the time of application, the amount of time
estimated by the Cohasset Board of Sewer Commissioners before the proposed lot may be
eligible for a connection to the municipal sanitary sewer, as documented in a letter from the
Cohasset Board of Sewer Commissioners.
1. An estimated waiting period of greater than fifteen (15) months shall be considered
extensive, and the connection to the municipal sanitary sewer shall be considered not feasible.
After reviewing the regulations Mr. Morse noted the sewer was installed proximate to Tad Lane in 1998
and the Board of Health approved a new septic system for 25 Tad Lane in 1999. The sewer as-built shows
a stub was not placed for this lot. The house is 600 to 700 feet from the cul-de-sac with much ledge to the
house, and the estimated cost to put a sewer line in is $100,000. Christine Powers, seller's agent, reached
out to Michelle Leary, Administrative Assistant to Sewer Commission, and was told 25 Tad Lane is not
feasible to hook-up to Town sewer. Dr. Lawrence and Ms. Doxey requested written documentation from
the Sewer Department declaring it is not feasible to connect. The closing is this Friday March 22nd and the
bank wants confirmation from the Board of Health that the septic system is acceptable and in working
order before the Menchi's can close on the property. Mr. and Mrs. Menchi had concerns that if the Board
decides to approve that a sewer connection is not feasible, would they be required to connect to sewer in
the future? Dr. Pollastri stated if connection is not feasible, and if the system failed in the future then a
APPROVED
new innovative alternative system would be required due to being located in a nitrogen sensitive area.
The Board had no statement about feasibility.The Board agreed the Health Agent would provide the
sellers with a letter stating the Board's acceptance of the existing system to adequately serve the sewage
disposal needs for 25 Tad Lane.
MOTION BY: Dr. Lawrence moves to accept the passing Title 5 Inspection Report dated 7/9/2018 for 25
Tad Lane and that the existing septic system is Title 5 compliant contingent upon the Town
Sewer Commission acknowledging it is not feasible to connect to town sewer.
SECONDED BY: Dr. Pollastri
6:35 P.M. Environmental Release Chief Justice Cushing Highwav
Ms. Fahey drafted a letter for the Board to review in regards to the environmental release at 380 Chief
Justice.The Board approved the letter and it will be mailed tomorrow to the property owner.
7:00 P.M. Public Health Agent Report for April 2019 Ms. Fahey reviewed her report to the board
Food:
• All Cohasset schools were inspected and violations were not found.
• Event permitting is ramping up for Farmer's Market and South Shore Art's Festival.
Septic:
• The septic system at JJ'S Dairy Hut was upgraded as requested last fall.A float was added to the
tank along with an alarm system.JJ'S subsequently opened for the summer season.
• 355 Atlantic Avenue homeowner with a cesspool adjacent to Sandy Beach responded to
Bob Egan to say that the cesspool is being disconnected and the pipes for the bathroom will be re-
routed to the public sewer line as requested.
Bodyworks/Massage:
• AnKang Massage was permitted as a bodyworks establishment; and the owner and one assistant
were permitted as bodyworks practitioners.
• White Lotus Day Spa still seems to be closed.
Harborview Nursing Home Closing:
• Ms. Fahey and Ms. Goodwin attended the public hearing hosted by DPH to formerly announce the
facility closing. State representative Joan Meschino spoke and let Harborview patient families
members know that they can reach out to her office if they encounter problems with the closing
process.The tentative closing deadline is July 1, 2019.
Mold Inspections:
• Ms. Fahey contracted with ASAP Environmental to conduct mold inspections at the fire and police
stations.The results showed elevated levels of mold in a first floor bathroom due to roof leaks; a
dorm room due to inadequate drainage from an air conditioning unit; and in a crawl space beneath
the main floors due to inappropriate storage of materials in the fire station.The police station had
elevated levels in the garage due to a roof leak and in the basement due to a leaking water pipe.
Remediation will be conducted as soon as possible by the facilities group and support from an
outside contractor.
APPROVED
7:10 P.M Public Health Nurse Report for March 2019: Ms. Goodwin reviewed her report to the Board.
• Ms. Goodwin visited the Cohasset Fire house every Tuesday during the month of March to conduct
bladder cancer screening. 17 firefighters have been screened at this time.
• Ms. Goodwin attended the monthly meeting of the Cohasset Wellness Committee (CWC). CWC
continues to offer free programs to the town of Cohasset Employees.This session includes yoga, and
stretch and balance.
• Ms. Goodwin worked with Cohasset Recreation Department to coordinate the 10th annual
Cohasset Health and Recreation Fair. Over 500 people attended the event. A wide variety of health
screenings were offered to residents as well as a preview of a variety of summer programs hosted by
private and municipal sites.
• A home visit was made with the Cohasset Cares Program to an elder, safety recommendations
were made.
MOTION BY: Dr. Lawrence to adjourn meeting at 7:20 P.M.
SECONDED BY: Dr. Pollastri
VOTE: 3-0 MOTION CARRIED