HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoH - 12/18/2018 APPROVED
COHASSET BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES
DATE: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2018
TIME: 6:00 P.M.
PLACE: COHASSET TOWN HALL—Basement 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
6:01 P.M. Approve Meeting Minutes from November 5,2018
MOTIONED BY: Dr. Pollastri
SECONDED BY: Dr. Lawrence
VOTE: 3-0
6:02 P.M. Approve the Warrant Members signed the warrant for 11/5/18 to 12/18/18
6:04 P.M. Set Next Meeting Date Tuesday January 15, 2019 at 6:OOP.M.
6:05 P.M. Public Health Agent Report Public Health Report December 2018 (see attached) Ms. Fahey
reviewed items in her report.
• Food: Nguyen's Kitchen opened on December 12, 2018 at the former Blu Mussel location and is doing
very well.The Board of Health received a food illness complaint from eating at the buffet at Feng Shui. Ms.
Fahey followed up with a food inspection and found sushi being served at room temperature. In addition
there were several other violations including the presence of roaches. Ms. Fahey will re-inspect after the
New Year. If there are still violations Feng Shui will have to come in front of the Board.
• E-Permitting: The Board of Health is working on e-permitting food related permits. Permit applications
are slowly being submitted with most needing additional information.
• Septic: The Board of Health received a complaint from a resident on Ox Pasture Lane regarding septic
sewage that was being released in the cul-de-sac during high water use (e.g.., mornings and evenings). Ms.
Fahey contacted the suspected neighbor and they contracted with Paul Davis, Rosano Davis. Mr. Davis was
able to identify the source of the problem and fix the underground broken pipe joint.
• Medical Marijuana: Nancy Lafauce, Head of Wilcutt Commons, Mary Goodwin, Public Health Nurse,
and Ms. Fahey met with representatives from the medical marijuana facility located on Rt. 53 in Hanover.
A presentation was given regarding benefits of medical marijuana use for seniors. After seeing their
presentation and asking many questions we agreed to let them speak at Willcutt Commons in April for
anyone interested in the topic. It will not be an endorsement on our part, but rather an opportunity for
any interested seniors with chronic pain issues to hear the presentation.
APPROVED
• Pertussis: Ms. Fahey published an article in the Cohasset Mariner regarding questions and answers
related to pertussis.
• Ticks: Ms. Fahey attended a tick seminar at UMass Amherst on November 19th. Ms. Fahey met with
Blake Dinius,the Plymouth County Entomologist. Mr. Dinius spoke in Cohasset this past year and the Board
of Health has scheduled Mr. Dinius to come back to discuss Ticks on April 2, 2019 at Wilcutt Commons. Ms.
Fahey and Ms. Goodwin will inform schools, open space committee, CSCR,garden clubs, etc.
6:14 P.M. Public Health Nurse Report for December Ms. Goodwin was unable to attend meeting Ms.
Fahey reviewed her report.
6:17 P.M. Chairpersons Report- None
6:18 P.M. Review Bodyworks Regulation: The Town of Cohasset currently does not have regulations
for massage establishments. Ms. Fahey prepared some regulations she would like the board to consider
implementing providing bodyworks (massage is licensed by the state).The board members agreed to review
the regulations and will discuss the regulations further at the January 15th meeting.
6:25 P.M. Well Regulations: Ms. Fahey would like to change the supplemental private well regulation
that an irrigation well requires water testing and make it recommendation not a requirement. Ms. Fahey let
the Board know the town will be keeping the requirement to notify abutters with all private well applications.
The explanation as to why notification is necessary was added to the regulations.
MOTION BY: Dr. Lawrence to accept the revised Supplemental Private Well Regulations dated 12/18/18
SECONDED: Dr. Pollastri
VOTE: 3-0 MOTIN CARRIED
6:30 P.M. 84 Forest Avenue Septic Plan Review
In attendance for this hearing:Jeff Hassett, Morse Engineering. Bob Moody, 80 forest Avenue,Abutter.
Materials used for this agenda item:
• Application for Disposal System Construction Permit dated 11/20/18, date stamped 11/20/18
• 2 Title V soil analyses,TP-1 &TP-2 dated 10/24/18, date stamped 10/26/18
• Septic System Design Plan 84 Forest Avenue, prepared by Morse Engineering, dated 11/20/18, date
stamped 12/18/18
The property is a %of an acre lot with a 4 bedroom single family home that was originally built in 1978.The
new property owner is doing a major renovation on the home and the septic system needs a complete
system repair.The new system will be a conventional system.The proposed gravity flow system will include a
1500 gallon tank, distribution box, and leaching field. Perc test results were good.The property owner is
asking for a local upgrade approval request for a variance to allow a reduction from a 4 feet(required)to 3
feet(proposed) between groundwater and the bottom of the SAS.Jason Federico, Field Engineer,the
leaching field is not where it is shown on plans, rather the leaching field is in the middle of the driveway
according to the previous as-built septic plan on record. Mr. Hassett stated the leaching field will be located,
abandoned in place, and the tank will be pumped, crushed and filled. Bob Moody 84 Forest Avenue, abutter,
asked where the system will be elevated and will it require a retaining wall.Jeff Hassset mentioned the
system would not need to be elevated.The system has a rubber barrier and there will be no run off down the
driveway. Mr. Moody also questioned the location of the water line. Where it was actually installed is
different than the location on the plans and it is within the required minimum 10 feet. Jason Federico
responded to Mr. Moody's question about the water line stating the water line is within the 10ft of the
proposed septic system, however,the water line was sleeved twice for protection as per septic plans.
APPROVED
MOTION BY: Dr. Michael Pollastri to approve the variance for a local upgrade approval request
310 CMR 15.405(h):to allow a reduction from 4 feet, required to 3 feet, proposed between groundwater
and the bottom of the SAS.
SECONDED: Lynn Doxey
VOTE: 3-0 MOTIN CARRIED
6:45 P.M. 246 Lot 2 North Main Street Septic Plan Review
In attendance for this hearing: Jeff Hassett, Morse Engineering. Barbara O'Pray, Property owner, Sebastian
Martinez, potential house builder.Abutters that were present Joseph & David Walsh 270 North Main St.,
Diana Karcher 264 North Main St., Clark Brewer 262 North Main St..
Materials used for this agenda item:
• Application for Disposal System Construction Permit dated 11/30/18, date stamped 11/30/18
• Form 12 Percolation Test, dated 8/16/17, date stamped 11/30/18
• Form 11 Soil Suitability Assessment for on-Site Sewage Disposal TP-1 thru TP-5 dated 8/16/18,
date stamped 11/30/18
• Septic System Design Plan lot A North Main Street, prepared by Morse Engineering, datedll/30/18,
date stamped 11/30/18
The property is an undeveloped lot shown on a plan from 1972. The proposed system would consist of a 1500
gallon concrete tank, distribution box, and leaching field made up of plastic infiltrator chambers.The property
owner is not asking for any variances or any local upgrades.The system fully complies with Title 5 and the local
requirements. Mr. Hassett stated this is the first step in permitting we will go in front of the Conservation
Committee, (Con Com). Con Com requires all other permits to be applied for prior to filing with them.The
property owner will also apply for a private well permit, but has not because the well driller is the one to fill out
the application and we are not sure who well driller will be. Dr. Lawrence questioned Mr. Hassett about
indicating the Con Com would like the Board of Health to act on the septic system prior to acting on the
wetland alteration. Mr. Hassett responded that the property owner has to at least file with all other boards but
the Board of Health does not have to act before Con Com.Jason Federico let the board know that wells are
permitted first and installed prior to a septic system being approved since wells might have to be moved based
on geological location. Dr. Lawrence agreed there are no issues with septic design and wants to hold off,
without prejudice, until the well is permitted and the Con Com acts on the wetland alteration. Mr. Hasset
would like something in writing that septic appears to be acceptable. Clark Brewer, an abutter, had an opinion
letter drawn up in regards to the whether the lot is a buildable lot. Mr. Brewer was served papers today as of
3:00 by the property owner to contest what was in the opinion letter. In addition when doing the test pits for
this property equipment was driven through wetlands at the bottom of the hill which they are proposing to go
through as part of this plan.The equipment was then driven through the Barnes Property and damage was
done to the property which has a conservation restriction that does not allow equipment. No permission was
requested to drive heavy equipment across the town's conservation land. Mr. Brewer had pictures of the
damage done to the properties and asked the property owner if they would repair the damage and the owner
has made no acknowledgement to repair anything. Dr. Pollastri questioned if this is the purview of the Board of
Health. Dr. Lawrence noted we can have the discussion but it is not purview of the Board of Health we act
solely on the septic system. Mr. Federico wanted to note that moving forward the town's onsite
representatives be aware of access issues and make sure wetlands are not disturbed during the test pitting
process. Contractors going through wetlands is not acceptable. Barbara O'Pray, Property Owner, mentioned
that they went to superior court to get a summary judgement because they did not want to fight with all the
Town Boards and these erroneous opinions.The land was sub-divided in 1972. It was signed off by the planning
board, it was not appealed, it was duly registered, and frontage has not changed. I don't think it is the purview
APPROVED
of the Board of Health. They will repair any asphalt that has been damaged at the completion of the project.
Mr. Federico stated moving forward on building permits we are going to look into enforcing damage to ways.
During this project South Main Street was also damage by the tracks from the heavy equipment and the
damage is unrepairable. Mr. Wilson, an abutter, has concerns with the wetland and that when the property
was subdivided in the 70's it affected their property with flooding and water ponds. Dr. Lawrence
recommended that Mr. Wilson attended the Con Com meeting with any concerns he might have in regards to
the wetlands and any flooding that could happen.
MOTION BY: Dr. Lawrence moved to continue the review of Lot A North Main Street,without prejudice, and
the Board will take it up again when the well permit is produced and the Conservation Committee has made a
decision on the wetland alteration.
SECONDED BY: Lynn Doxey
VOTE: 3-0
MOTION BY: Dr. Lawrence to adjourn meeting at 7:00 PM
SECONDED BY: Dr. Pollastri
VOTE: 3-0 MOTION CARRIED