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Home My WebLink AboutCorrespondence - 53 WHITE BIRCH LANE 3/6/2006 TOWN ' NORTH ANDOVER Office of C'0MMUNITOfY DEVELOPMENTAND SE.RVICES HEM-xll DEPARTMENT �M�, 11, A 400 OSGOOD S'T'RI"J,"T NOR'Fl I ANDOVER, MASSACI IUSE'rrs 01845 CHO 97&688.9540 - Phone Susan Y. Sawyer, REHS/RS 978.688.847()-- I'AX Public Health Director E-MAIL fgLgithandover.com ......................... WEBS[FE: tj ZZAANK,Iqwtiofnortliatidove .coryi March 6, 2006 Anthony Donato, P.E. Merrimack Engineering Services 66 Park Street Andover, MA 01810 RE: Lot 61,Map 90, 53 White Birch Lane, N rth Andover, MA Dear Mr. Donato, The proposed wastewater system design plan for the above site dated January 28, 2006 has been assessed but not fully reviewed because of a major design issue. The following item is in need of attention prior to a full review: The design plan proposes to increase the flow of the dwelling while the application for soil testing indicated"Repair Testing." Therefore, insufficient deep holes and percolation testing was performed to increase the flow from the dwelling as shown on the design plan. Please feel free to contact the office with any questions you may have. We look forward to working with you to obtain a wastewater system design which will be in compliance with all regulations and assure protection of public health and the environment of North Andover. Sincerely, Susan Y. Sawyer, RE S/RS Public Health Director cc: Owner Applicant File 1 MEl RIMACK ENGINEERING SERVICES, INC, � PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS LAND SURVEYORS PLANNER 66 PARK STREET-ANDOVER,MASSACHUSETTS 01810-TEL(978)475-3555,373-5721 -FAX(978)2f7' 1448 a E-MAIL.merreng @aol.com April 10, 2006 Ms. Susan Sawyer: Director of Public Health 400 Osgood Street North Andover, MA 01845 I . I Re: 53 White Birch Lane Dear Ms. Sawyer: In response to your letter dated March 6, 2006 regarding the above referenced site, we have completed two additional deep tests, results of which have been added to our design plan. Unfortunately we were unable to complete a percolation test as the ground water conditions were too wet on the day of testing since the area had received substantial rainfall the previous day. The deep test conducted did confirm consistent soil types to those previously performed. Additionally, two satisfactory percolation tests have been previously performed on site in close proximity to the deep holes we conducted, records of which are on file in your office. On behalf of our client, and considering the amount of testing that has been completed on site (7 deep tests—3 perc tests), we respectfully request that you re-consider the major design issue specified in your letter and complete a review of the design so that construction can commerce. The current system is in hydraulic failure and breaking out to the ground surface and we feel it is in the best interest of our client and Public Health in general to expedite this review as soon as possible. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Very truly yours, MERRIMACK ENGINEERING SERVICES William Dufresne Project Manager t1 Location. o.r!&..I� &��:�P I�I�J owner's Name:__ apfpnr°eek_ . Co1 Add 14e � InsWler., I Tel New o �. FLep r Date: � � 'W ds --- ne q_- SoilS ymbol Soil ahme 1,6,ykiv t o �� Deep Obsetvation Hole Logs ... Elc32tion Depth Son H6on Sall Texture Soil Color Son Mottling. % Gavel,Stooes,et�r • � �tl°a t�-¢� • y��d� �r,sY�� t—zip�� Pan ant hS®tads!. Uepth to Rd tAz witerin the Het« W g from fu rm " 1t 41, � e q� � � nt�att�>3 gCtt a�sa« tVeeptng MtFaca , ,,T�� °° Date Percalation Tests Observation Hole# Depth ofperc � Start Pre-so* Time at 124 Tune sit 9" Time at W • •Rate Mnlinch, Performed B`; Witnessed]3t^ TOWN OP' NORTH .000VE."R Office of CONINIUNITV DENELOPMEN1[ AND SEAVXC ',, HEALTH DEPARTMENT 400 {J8<]W0[} STREET NDK[U /\NDUVIK` IM/\SS&CHU36TT30l845 Susan Y� Sawyer 978.688.9540—Mhouc pxh|ic HcuN' Diudnr 978.6889542 —F&X April l2,2086 � William Dufresne, Project Manager Merrimack Engineering Services, Inc. 66 Park Street Andover, K4AUi8lO RE: Subsurface Sewage Disposal System Plan r 53 White Birch Lane | Dear Mr. Dufresne, The North Andover Board of Health has received your septic plan submission for the above-menti oned property | dated April \O,2006.Along with that submission there was a request in regard to the required percolation tests. � After n review ofthe file and all relevant information and in light of the current public health issue,for the family living with the existing failing system,the following determination has been made. � The Health Department will accept the submission as complete and review it accordingly.The site does have numerous pcco and deep hole tests, but there iunopero iu the reserve system. The regu|ahonx Jo require this, however time in on important factor. Rather than outright waiving of this requirement, ii has been determined that ut the time of installation aperc may bc conducted ui the site of the reserve uo you attempted(odo initially.Any result of this pere would not affect the system going in, as the reserve is a substantial distance away fi-om the primary. Our office will make every attempt to review this plan as soon as possible so that construction may commence. Your effort b provide v properly functioning septic system for your dwelling is greatly appreciated. The Health Department may be reached at 978-688-9540 with any questions you might have. � Sincerely ` | v \ ` "Ve: Susan Y. Sawyer,KEB8/K8 Public Health Director � cu: homeowner ��~� � /- | Page 1 of 1 DelleChiaie, Pamela From: Sawyer, Susan Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 10:07 AM To: DelleChiaie, Pamela; Grant, Michele Subject: FW: 53 White Birch Lane -----Original Message----- From: Sawyer, Susan Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 10:06 AM To: 'info @millriverconsuIting.com' Subject: RE: 53 White Birch Lane I have spoken to the homeowner about this. I think it is not always breaking out, however I will drive by. A wee bit of exageration possibly, but it is definitely failing. Susan -----Original Message----- From: Dan Ottenheimer [mailto:info @millriverconsulting.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 7:45 AM To: Grant, Michele; Lisa Kozel LeVasseur; Marianne Peters; DelleChiaie, Pamela; Sawyer, Susan Subject: 53 White Birch Lane Folks, We have received and will initiate a review of the design plan for 53 White Birch Lane. However, the cover letter from the designer indicates that sewage is currently ponding on the surface of the ground at this dwelling. I would think that it is going to be several weeks if not months before a design plan is approved and actually placed into the ground. We may wish to send an order letter to the property owner to have them get a signed agreement with a licensed hauler to pump the septic tank as a holding tank until a new system is installed. I believe the tank should be pumped immediately and then on a weekly basis until further notice. If you need assistance in writing such a letter please let me know. Dan Daniel ®ttenheimer,President Mill River Consulting, Inc. Septic System Management Services 2 Blackburn Center Gloucester, MA 01930-2259 978-282-0014 or 1-800-377-3044 fax: 978-282-0012 w\A,-\v.tipi l lriverc;orisult inl;.c;,oni clano(cr),ni ill riverconsultin ;.corn 4/25/2006 TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER NORTH Office of COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES HEALTH DEPARTMENT _ 400 OSGOOD STREET gO9�i3O PPP, NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS 01845 US�� 978.688.9540—Phone Susan Y.Sawyer, REHS/RS 978,688.8476—FAX Public Health Director E-MAIL: healthdeptta]townofnorthandover.com W EBSITE: http://www.townofiiorthandover.com April 27,2006 Anthony Donato,P.E. Merrimack Engineering Services 66 Park Street Andover,MA 0 18 10 RE: Lot 61,May 90 53 White Birch Lane,North Andover,MA Dear Mr.Donato, The proposed on-site wastewater system design plans for the above site dated April 10,2006 and received on April 11,2006 has been reviewed. Unfortunately,they cannot be approved until the following items are corrected. The specific section in Title 5:310 CMR 15.000,or North Andover regulation that is not met by this design follows each item. 1. Please provide buoyancy calculations for the pump tank—221 2. Due to inconsistencies on the issue of how to determine whether an old tank is suitable to remain,the Health Department is now requesting the following addition to subsurface disposal plans.Please provide a detailed description of the methodology to be used to ascertain the suitability of the existing primary(septic)tank to determine if it sufficient to be re-used. Please provide images of the components which should be present and a method for assuring the proper construction and operation of the tank. 3. Please provide detailed information and specifications for the control panel and alarm-220 and 231 4. Please provide a curve for the pump specified indicating its acceptability for the conditions proposed. 5. Trenches are to be used as the soil absorption system mechanism whenever possible. Please use trenches in this instance or explain why they cannot be utilized-240 6. Use of gravel-less chambers for new construction requires a demonstration that the site can accommodate a conventional soil absorption system,and only then can gravel-less chambers be utilized. Please demonstrate compliance with this standard. You may choose to use a separate drawing or detail if that would assist with depicting items more clearly-(see approval letter for gravel-less chambers) Please feel free to contact the office with any questions you may have. We look forward to working with you to obtain a wastewater system design which will be in compliance with all regulations and assure protection of public health and the environment of North Andover. Sincerely, Susan Y. Sawyer, REHS/RS Public Health Director cc: Owner Applicant File MERRIMA K ENGINEERING SERVICES, INC. PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS m LAND SURVEYORS - PLANNERS bb PARK STREET m ANDOVER, MA 01810 a(978)475-3555,373-5721 a FAX(978)475-1448® E-MAIL info @merrlmackengineering,com May 19, 2006 Ms. Susan Sawyer Public Health Director ! L 1600 Osgood St. Building 20 — Suite 2-64 14 ',l'` dl` North Andover, MA 01845 Tie: Whitebirch Lane Dear Ms. Sawyer: We are in receipt of your review letter dated April 27, 2006 for the above referenced site. We have revised the plan in response to items 1, 2, 3, &4 of your letter. With regards to item 1,precast concrete tanks are manufactured with a weight and thickness specifically designed so as not to float even if almost totally submersed in the water table provided 9" minimum cover is provided as require by Title 5. Continually requiring this calculation on a plan is a meaningless exercise. With regard to item 2, the effort and cost associated with the procedure required by your department to evaluate the condition of the existing tank would far exceed the cost of installing a new 1500 gallon tails, we therefore propose to replace the existing 1500 gallon tank with a new 1500 gallon tank. If this design were a straight upgrade design, our position would be different as upgrades of a system pertain to only the system components which are failed and the tank appears to be functioning properly. With regards to item 3, we have provided additional pump notes (9 & 10), however do not see where in 15.220 or 15.231 more specific information is required relative to the control panel and alarm. Please note 1.5.231 (7) as we are not electrical or pump engineers and the manufacturer should be relied on for this information. With regards to item 5 & 6, an 11 x 17 redline sketch has been enclosed. This sketch shows that a conventional system can be accommodated on the property. From this sketch it can be also be determined that the horizontal and vertical extent of a trench system is much greater, thus imposing unnecessary disruption and cost to the homeowner. As we have made this argument continuously in the past, a trench system in fill does not function as intended by the code because the trenches are not being constructed in naturally occurring soil but in fill and therefore function as a bed, thus the Ms. Susan Sawyer May 19, 2006 Page 2 intent of the code is not necessarily met. Trenches also require filling in between with specified fill causing unnecessary financial hardship to the owner. We feel we have adequately addressed your concerns and have provided a design which meets the requirements of North Andover Board of Health and of Title 5 and provides a degrade of environmental protection intended by the code. On behalf of our client, we respectfully request the plan be approved as re-submitted. Very truly yours, MERRIMACK ENGINEERING SERVICES William Dufresne Project Manager ti cc: Banacas MERRIMACK ENGINEERING SERVICES,INC. 66 PARK STREET a ANDOVER,MASSACHUSETTS 0 1610 tt®RT/{ ® g4EP ,6 R W 0 0 ~ W_ � a � 0 ®y P coc.iu HewcN q• CHU PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT Community Development Division May 31, 2006 Frank and Lisa Banacos 53 White Birch Lane North Andover, MA 01845 RE: Septic System Design, 53 White Birch Lane, forth Andover, Map 61, Lot 90 Dear Homeowner, The North Andover Board of Health has completed the review of the septic system design plan for the above referenced property, submitted on your behalf by Merrimack Engineering Services, dated, January 28, 2006, last revision date April 10, 2006 and received May 23, 2006. The design has been approved for use in the construction of an onsite septic system. The 5- bedroom(11-room maximum) design has been approved for use in the construction of a fully compliant, Title V, subsurface disposal system. This approval is valid for two years from the date of the approval in accordance with current local regulations and during this time a licensed septic system installer must obtain a permit and complete this work, and a Certificate of Compliance be endorsed by the installer, designer and the Town of North Andover. This approval is subject to the following conditions: 1. If site conditions are found in the field to be different from those indicated on the design plan and/or soil evaluation,the originally issued Disposal System Construction Permit is void, installation shall stop, and the applicant shall reapply for a new Disposal Systems Construction Permit. 2. It is the responsibility of the applicant and/or the applicant's septic system designer, septic system installer or other representative to ensure that all other state and municipal requirements are met. These may include review by the Conservation Commission, Zoning Board, Planning Board, Building Inspector, Plumbing Inspector and/or Electrical Inspector. The issuance of a Disposal System Construction Permit shall not construe or imply compliance with any of the aforementioned requirement 3. The plan does not show a diagram of a 3-float pump system within the pump tank. N. Andover requires a 3-float system for the pump on, pump off and alarm. 4. The plan does call for the installation of a septic tank effluent filter. Please be advised that only certain brands of filters are permitted for use in Massachusetts and each is required to follow certain approval criteria. Your designer or installer should work with you to assure a 1600 Osgood Street,North Andover,Massachusetts 01845 Phone 978.688.9540 Fax 978.688.8476 Web www.townofnorthandover.com licensed brand is selected for use and that the installer follows proper procedure for easy access and identification of the filter. Your effort to provide a properly functioning septic system for your dwelling is greatly appreciated. The Health Department may be reached at 978-6889540 with any questions you may have. Sincerel y-,, Susan Y. Sawyer,REHS/RS Public Health Director Encl: list of licensed septic system installers Cc: Merrimack Engineering Services 1600 Osgood Street,North Andover,Massachusetts 01845 Phone 918.688.9540 Fax 918.688.8416 Web www.townofnorthandover.com Page I of I DelleChiaie, Pamela From: Marianne Peters [mpeters@millriverconsulting.com] Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 3:14 PM To: Dan Ottenheimer; 'Lisa Kozel LeVasseur'; Marianne; Grant, Michele; DelleChiaie, Pamela; Sawyer, Susan Subject: Important update on 53 White Birch Lane Regarding 53 White Birch Lane; 3 things that will need to be taken care of—either on your end or let us know and we'll be happy to do for you. # 1: The tank needs a manhole to grade over the tlet #2: A vent will need to be installed #3: Septic tank needs to be checked for water-tightness; it was low today, so they're filling it up now with a garden hose and someone should go by there, say tomorrow a.m. to see what happens. It should not have been as low as it was today according to Randy. Let me know if you need us for any of this. Marianne Peters Mill River Consulting 2 Blackburn Center Gloucester, MA 01930 978-282-0014 ph 978-282-0012 fx 8/9/2006