HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-08-28 Board of Health Minutes i
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North Andover Board of Health 1
Meeting Minutes
Tluuir�sday—August; 28, 201
7:00 p.m.
North Andover Police Department, 1475 Osgood Street
North Andover, MA 01845
Present: Thomas Trowbridge,Larry Fixler,Frank MacMillan,Edwin Pease,Susan Sawyer
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:22 pm.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IIl. PUBLIC HEARINGS-none
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-none
V. OLD BUSINESS-none
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. 143 Lacy Street—Request for a variance by John and Stephanie O'Mahoney. The request is to allow a
reduction from the soil absorption system,of an onsite septic system,to the bordering vegetative
wetlands. This is a local variance to the Town of North Andover Subsurface Disposal Regulation;
section 3.9,which requires a 100 foot separation. Susan Sawyer reviewed the plan designed by
Merrimack Engineering since Bill Dufresne of Merrimack Engineering could not attend the meeting.
Ms. Sawyer explained that the plan still needs to go before Conservation before being approved.
The O'Mahoney's explained that their septic system had backed up into the home and this was a repair
by choice.They had an engineer look at it and determined it was in failure. They would like to get it
fully repaired as soon as possible. They appreciated the Board meeting tonight to assist them in getting
this variance approved in August,rather than waiting a month for the next meeting. The Conservation
Commission will be hearing this request soon. Susan explained that for this reason,she would
recommend some flexibility with the motion,just in case the commission members altered the
reduction to the wetland fiom 89 feet to another number.With flexibility,the O'Mahoney's will not
have to return to the Board of Health for a change in the variance.
MOTION made by Frank MacMillan to grant the Local Board of Health variance to allow the
subsurface disposal system to be located at 89 feet from the Bordering Vegetated Wetland with the
condition that the distance could be reduced to a minimum of 50 feet depending on the determination
of the Conservation Commission.Ed Pease seconded the motion. All were in favor.Motion passed.
2014 North Andover Board of Health Meeting Page 1 of 2
Board of Health Members: Thomas Trowbridge,DDS,MD,Chairman;Larry Fixler,Member/Clerk;Francis P.MacMillan,Jr.,
M.D.;Joseph McCarthy,Member; Edwin Pease,Member Health Department Staff:Susan Sawyer,Health Director; Debra
Rillahan,Public Health Nurse;Michele Grant,Public Health Inspector;Lisa Blackburn,Health Department Assistant
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VII. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND DISCUSSION J
Susan Sawyer requested the board's opinion on a long standing policy regarding septic system
approvals as they relate to building permits. She read an email from a contractor who is requesting that
we allow the builder to move forward with signing the building permit for a home addition at 51
Haymeadow,prior to receiving approval on the plan of the septic system that will be constructed.
This specific site has been plagued with miss-steps. Health staff identified that the septic tank and field
were not compliant in their respective locations with the planned home addition.After that was found,
the system was then determined to be in failure.Mrs. Sawyer has attempted to assist the applicant
however multiple deadlines have been missed and this meeting being one of them. They only requested
to come before the board yesterday.This request was denied for Mrs. Sawyer felt it unfair to the Board
members to ask them to consider issues that they had no time to review.
Mrs. Sawyer is looking for the board's guidance.In this case or any other;is the boards' pleasure to
continue to only bring items for consideration under the policy as we currently had in place or should
be consider changing the policy. The members agreed that the policy should stay as it is and the board
members should not be involved at that stage of the duty of the Health Department to enforce the codes
and assist the applicants through the process.
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE/NEWSLETTERS
IX. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION made by Frank MacMillan to adjourn the meeting. Larry Fixler seconded the motion and all
were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 pm.
Prepared b
Susan Sawyer, Health Director
Reviewed bv.
All Board of Health Members
Signed bX:
La 3'Frxle , Clerk of the Board \ Date Signed
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