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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMiscellaneous - 846 CHESTNUT STREET 4/30/2018 (4)J Timothy Skelton MD PhD 2006 Sandra Skelton 846 Chestnut St. North Andover, MA 01845 978-685-9926 April 20, 2006 North Andover Board of Health c/o Susan Sawyer, REHS/RS Public Health Director Town of North Andover 400 Osgood Street North Andover, MA 01845 Re: Variance to North Andover Septic Regulation 1.07 for laundry -only subsurface disposal system (grey water) Board of Health Members, We are currently undergoing renovations and an addition to our home that involves no change in the number of bedrooms (four). There are two subsurface sewage disposal systems in place. The primary (blackwater) system consists of a septic tank, distribution box, and leaching field, which are functioning properly, appropriately sized, and in compliance with Title V regulations (3 10 CMR 15.303) as demonstrated by a passed Title V inspection (Dean Luscomb II and sons, 10/24/2005) and review by a licensed professional engineer (Norse Engineering, 3/25/2006). A secondary (greywater) system is in use for laundry discharge only and consists of a subsurface dry well pit of stone that is functioning properly and has passed a Title V inspection (Dean Luscomb II and sons, 3/17/2006). Steven Eriksen, a registered sanitarian and certified soil scientist has reviewed the relevant documents and state and local regulations and has rendered the opinion that the current greywater system should be allowed to remain in place (Norse Engineering, 3/25/2006). He notes that Mass DEP state regulations do not require tie in of a separate discharge as long as it passes a Title V inspection. However, as indicated in a 4/4/2006 letter from Susan Sawyer, North Andover Public Health Director, maintaining our current greywater system appears to be in conflict with North Andover Septic Regulation 1.07 which states that "Cesspools are failed systems and shall be replaced with a system meeting these regulations and 310 CMR 15.000". It is our desire to do the right thing to ensure public health and protect the environment. Greywater discharge is primarily an environmental concern and blackwater is primarily a public health concern. In our situation, there are no wetlands, rivers or streams, open water, or wells within a distance much greater than the required 100 feet from our greywater system. Therefore, there is no environmental risk in continuing to use this system. Furthermore, there is benefit in improving the efficiency and lifespan of our primary blackwater system by not tying in the laundry effluent (Norse Engineering, 3/25/2006). For these reasons, we are requesting that the Board of Health grant a variance to the North Andover Septic Regulation 1.07 and allow us to maintain our current laundry -only subsurface disposal system. Sincerely, A %cele Timothy Skelton MD PhD Sandra Skelton / 5 FILE # WAnd I QQy05A ITIT V INSPECTIONS Dean G. Luscomb 11 & Sons P.O. Box 135 Middleton, MA 01949 978-774-4065 Licensed Plumber #20285 SUBSURFACE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM INPSECTION FORM PROPERTY OWNERS NAME Sandc'Ske-)+or) PROPERTY ADDRESS ?4(c) Cke-G+r)1-tj Sf N. Andoue-r -MA ADDRESS OF OWNER (if different) SO rn p DATE OF INSPECTION 0 CfD b e r --Q a 0 NAME OF INSPECTOR F)e-a n 6 Lu SCOM h QUALITY IS NUMBER ONE TO US COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEAN G. LUSCOMB II & SONS P.O. BOX 135 MIDDLETON, MA 01949 1-978-774-4065 TITLE 5 OFFICIAL INSPECTION FORM - NOT FOR VOLUNTARY ASSESSMENTS SUBSURFACE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM FORM PART A CERTIFICATION PropertyAddress:'j4(Chef-jt) tj & i\l. A ndDyc-r MA Owner's Name: Land i S 1<e 14nn Owner's Address: SO nne Date of Inspection: Rc-fo b e - r Q H don Name of Inspector: (please print) Dean Q. Luscomb II Company Name: Dean G. Luscomb II & Sons Mailing Address: p_ O_ Box 135 Mi am-pton, MA 01949 Telephone Number: c)78-174-4065 CERTIFICATION STATEMENT I certify that 1 have personally inspected the sewage disposal system at this address and that the information reported below is true, accurate and complete as of the time of the inspection. The inspection was performed based on my training and experience in the proper function and maintenance of on site sewage disposal systems. I, am a DEP approved system inspector pursuantto Section 15340 of Title 5 (310 CMR 15.000). The system: , � rasses Conditionally Passes Needs Further Evaluation by the Local Approving Authority Fails Inspector's Signature:. T �5l ��, Wy �Si.�. Ca7lL G• f!, Date: Q�d �r , o?QD The system inspector shall submit a copy of this inspection report to the Approving Authority (Board of Health or DEP) within 30 days of completing this inspection. If the system is a shared system or has a design flow'of 10,000 gpd or greater, the inspector and the system owner shall submit the report to the appropriate regional office of the DEP. The original should be sent to the system owner and copies sent to the buyer, if applicable, and the approving authority. Notes and Comments ****This report only describes conditions at the time of inspection and under the conditions of use at that time. This inspection does not address how the system will perform in the future under the same or different conditions of use. FILE #N -d0,317N T;.,--E.V INSPECTIONS Gi.- Luscomb 11 & Sons P.O. BOX 13S Widdleton, MA- 01949 1-978-774-4065 N -.LICENSED PLUMBER #2.0285 -71 tUBSURFACE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM INSPECTION FORM 4 0 IV PROPERTY OWNERS NAME. r 1 r TY J JN PROPER -ADDRESS. ADDRESS OF OWNER: Pn'F- (if-different) DATE OF INSPECTION: 6t FC NAME OF INSPECTOR:,! J. QUALITY I.S. N.U.M.B.E.R. ON.E TO. U.S COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL .AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Y DEAN G. LUSCOMB II & SONS P.O. BOX 135 MIDDLETON, MA 01949 1-978-774-4065 TITLE 5 OFFICIAL INSPECTION FORM — NOT FOR VOLUNTARY ASSESSMENTS SUBSURFACE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM FORM PART A CERTIFICATION Property Address: 6 q� C e.S7 h %Li G Kt. nd ouA.r NIA Owner's Name: ,SQhdi SIle-1--:0n Owner's Address: SO me Date of Inspection: YY 7 Q rC�j 1 `7�o2 (UO Name of Inspector: (please print) Dean Q. Luscomb II Company Name: Dean G. Luscomb II & Sons Mailing Address: p_ n_ Box 135 M; r3 1 P1 -on, MA 01949 Telephone Number: 978-774-4065 CERTIFICATION STATEMENT I certify that I have personally inspected the sewage disposal system at this address and that the information reported below is true, accurate and complete as of the time of the inspection. The inspection was performed based on my training and experience in the proper function and maintenance of on site sewage disposal systems. I am a DEP approved system inspector pursuant to Section 15.340 of Title 5 (310 CMR 15.000). The system: Passes Conditionally Passes Needs Further Evaluation by the Local Approving Authority Fails r— f Inspector's Signature: �_ 6. �!� ,'r � Date: /,4n. t 1 %, ,Zde)6 The system inspector shall submit a copy of this inspection report to the Approving Authority (Board of Health or DEP) within 30 days of completing this inspection. If the system is a shared system or has a design flow of 10,000 gpd or greater, the inspector and the system owner shall submit the report to the appropriate regional office of the DEP. The original should be sent to the system owner and copies sent to the buyer, if applicable, and the approving authority. Notes and Comments ****This report only describes conditions at the time of inspection and under the conditions of use at that time. This inspection does not address how the system will perform in the future under the same or different conditions of use. March 25, 2006 NORSE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. i30 Middlesex Road, Sulfa i6 lyngeborc,MA 01879 TEL. (978) 649-9932 • FAX (978) 649.7582 Susan Sawyer, Director Hoard of Health 400 Osgood Street North Andover, Ma. 01845 Re: 846 Chestnut Street Ms. Sawyer; 1 was contacted by Sandra Skelton to review the material regarding her Title 5 Inspection. I inspected the property and reviewed the Title 5 inspection documents by Dean Luscomb for the leaching facility and the dry well. I also received a copy of your letter of March 22, 2006 to Ms. Skelton. No original documents of the design or as built plans were available. I also reviewed the proposed addition and note that it is a four bedroom dwelling and no additional bedrooms are proposed. It appears that the inspection was thorough and in compliance with Title 5 standards and policies. I have no reason to suspect that the inspection is inaccurate or flawed in any way, and assume that it is accurate. There is no evidence of system failure and the inspector noted none of the Title 5 failure criteria were observed. The inspection shows one 90' long trench, probably three feet in width and likely one foot in depth below the perforated pipe with a dry well for laundry wastewater. This was a fairly conventional design for the time period. It appears that both systems are above the water table. We have no percolation rate data and do not know the exact size of the trenches to calculate if it would meet current standards, but it appears that it was installed in compliance with all applicable regulations at the time of construction. Given the circumstances, the system is functioning adequately and I would see no reason to require any upgrades or repairs to the system. In my opinion, the system is adequately sized for the existing dwelling and the proposed addition. Furthermore, though I believe that the system would be capable of taking the greywater, I do not think that this would be beneficial. As you are aware, greywater has a far lower bacterial level than blackwater. In the past, many towns required separation of the laundry waste. This can substantially reduce the effluent loading rate of the trenches and could. increase the life span of the system. I understand that DEP is currently considering regulations for greywater systems, but currently Title 5 does not regulate greywater systems. ,-01 :08 PM NORSE. tNv 1 Ku1Vricn i f The Mass DEP website does provide some guidance (attached) noting that "Title 5 does not require the tie in of a separate discharge as long as that discharge is inspected and passes a Title 5 inspection. Given the circumstances, it is my professional opinion that the system is adequate to service the dwelling as is, and no additional work is necessary to upgrade the facility. Furthermore, the greywater system appears to be in compliance with State and Local regulations and should be allowed to remain in place. Should conditions change and failure of the greywater system occur, tie in to the leaching facility would be appropriate. Please contact me if you have any questions or if t can provide any additional information that would be of assistance to you. Thank you. Sincerely, Steven Eriksen Registered Sanitarian #866 Certified Soil Scientist Cc Sandra Skelton i TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER Office orCOMM-UNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES HEALTH DEPARTMEN't 400 OSGOOD S is RLET NORTH ANDOVER_ NIASSACHUSETTS 0 184 i Susan Y. Sawyer, RENS/RS Public Health Director Sandra Skelton 846 Chestnut Street North Andover, MA 01845 Re : Building permit for addition April 4, 2006 Dear Ms. Skelton, p0"7N ?SSACHUS�� 978.098.9540 - Phone 978.688.95-12 - F.,,Y Beal thdci)t'(i'to«,nofnorthand(3N-er.c-'m_ w«,.toii-nofnortliandoN-er.corn Thank you for responding to the March 22"d request for additional information in regard to your building application. The information submitted on March 27d' has been reviewed and the health department has the following comments in relation to the previous letter. 1) The Title V report for the second subsurface disposal system has been properly submitted. 2) A professional engineer, Steven Eriksen, of Norse Environmental Services, Inc. has submitted a written opinion as requested and a supplemental opinion on April 4,2006. Mr. Eriksen was contacted to confirm the size of the existing home. The drawing submitted by you on March 13`h, identified the current home as a 34bedroom, however Mr. Eriksen has personally confirmed that this home is currently a 4 -bedroom home therefore the sketch drawing is not precisely accurate. The North Andover Subsurface Disposal Regulations state that by definition 1.07 "Cesspools are failed systems and shall be replaced with a system meeting these regulations and 310 CMR 15.000" a cesspool is a failed system". This letter is to inform you that the cesspool/ laundry drywell system must be abandoned and the internal plumbing be rerouted to the piping to the subsurface disposal system. In addition Part F 17.06 states that if the leaching area has not received usual effluent it shall require a second inspection conducted 6 months later by a MA and N. Andover licensed system inspector and a report must be submitted to the Health Department. In regard to tying the laundry into the subsurface disposal system, the report submitted by Norse Environmental states that he does "not think that this would be beneficial" in this case. Therefore, if you wish to request a variance to the Board of Health regulations, allowing you to continue the usage of your laundry system, you may do so by submitting a written request addressed to the Board of Health, to be heard at the next regularly scheduled Board of Health meeting. Please refer to the regulation section listed above in your request. At the meeting, the board members will review Mr. Eriksen's findings and, if you wish to do so, you may present any additional evidence to the three board members as to why this variance should be granted. If you choose this option, please submit your request in writing at least seven (7) days prior to the board meeting. The next scheduled meeting is on April 27, 2006 at 7:00 PM, in the Town Hall 2"d floor selectmen's meeting room. This letter will be forwarded to the Building Department. It is common practice that this office approves a building permit for an addition to a structure, while concurrently, the corrections to septic system is being done. Failure to comply with these stipulations could result in further action. Therefore, in good faith, this office has signed off on the building permit with the stipulation that the septic system issues will be corrected prior to issuing any Building Department final occupancy permit, for the completed addition. Thank you for you cooperation. Sincerel" , �� lice—� S ' Sawy� /RS blic Health Director Cc: Building Department