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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-07-21 Board of Health Minutes BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES JULY 21, 1994 MEMBERS PRESENT: Gayton Osgood, Chairman, Francis P. MacMillan, M.D. , Member, Susan Ford, Environmental/Health Inspector, and Sandy Starr_ , Health Administrator. 7:00 P.M. - INTRODUCE SUSAN FORD: Mrs. Starr introduced Susan Ford, the new Environmental/Health Inspector, to the Board Members. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 6/23194: On a motion by Dr. MacMillan, seconded by Mr. Osgood, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of 6/23/94 as written. REVIEW INSTALLER'S LETTER - DRAFT COPY: Mrs. Starr did not have a chance to compose an installer' s letter. Mrs. Starr will compose letter and bring before the next meeting. LOT #2A FOSTER STREET - SITE VISIT RESULTS: Mrs. Starr inquired as to the results of the site visit done on Lot #2A Foster Street that Dr. Rizza and Dr. MacMillan went on with Ben Osgood. Dr. MacMillan and Dr. Rizza asked Mr. Ben Osgood to do a new plan. 7: 15 P.M. - 142 BOSTON STREET - MR. RICCIO: Mr. Riccio was requested to come before the Board to resolve the issue of an in-law apartment that was built without a Board of Health sign-off. Mr. Osgood stated that the main thing is to get this resolved and make everybody happy. Mr. Osgood stated that basically the situation is that you have a five bedroom home of which three are being used. Is that correct asked Mr. Osgood? Mrs. Riccio responded by stated that they are presently using three rooms as bedrooms, the other two are not being used as bedrooms. Mr. Osgood stated that these rooms could be used as bedrooms. Mr. Osgood stated that the concern is if you sold the house, not what is there now. Mr. Osgood explained to the Riccio' s that in the past there have been .situations where the Board of Health says "okay" and then two years down the line the house gets sold, and is sold as a five bedroom house. . . . . and then the septic system fails. And then everyone is wondering what went wrong stated Mr. Osgood. Page 2 Minutes: July 21, 1994 Mr. Osgood stated that the situation that is before us now is that the septic system has not failed. Mrs. Starr responded, "not as far as we know" . Mr. Osgood stated that the septic system does not meet the current code. Mr. Osgood stated that one of the problems is there has been some engineering work done on this site and no plan has been submitted to the Board of Health for approval . Mr. Osgood asked Mrs. Starr, "why can't the plan be approved"? Mrs. Starr stated that three plans have been submitted; 1) perc tests were performed at a rate of 15 minutes per inch and a plan was devised and it did not make breakout or the 25 feet sandfill that the State requires; 2) at this point, the engineer suggested to go to the other side of the house and another perc test was performed and he devised another plan and submitted it and before Mrs. Starr could even thoroughly look at it, the engineer called and said "don't review that plan, I didn't do a survey and I found out that the lot line is not where I thought it was - it goes through the system and it' s too close to the lot line we' ll have to go back to the other side of the house" . 3) Then another plan was submitted with a septic system not in an area where any testing was done before; it was some feet beyond the testing had been done. The engineer mentioned doing testing and Mrs. Starr mentioned that deep holes would have to be done before the plans can be approved; at that time it was January. Mrs. Starr mentioned that she had called the engineer in March or April and asked him about the repair and the engineer told her he would get back to her. Mr. Osgood stated that he would like to see a plan. The Board of Health needs to be assured that a system can be put on that site that meets the requirements for the house that stands and then put some restrictions in the deed to the property stating. . . . . . "before this house is transferred, a new system must be in place" , stated Mr. Osgood. Mr. Osgood stated that this has been done in the past in similar situations. Mr. Osgood stated that before the house is sold he wants to see that the present system will support the whole house. Mr. Osgood wants to see the plan before hand and then all that is required is to put the restrictions in the deed that this plan will be implemented before the house is sold or if there is a failure. Mr. Osgood stated that this seems to be the most equitable solution to the problem. Dr. MacMillan asked if there is a plan. Mr. Osgood mentioned that the plan is incomplete. Mrs . Starr stated that no soil testing has been done where this system has been designed. Page 3 Minues: July 21, 1994 Mrs. Starr stated that she would like to see the system upgraded to a minimum 1000 gallon tank. Mr. Osgood stated that that will be part of the plan. Mrs. Starr suggested that the existing tank, 750 gallon tank, be inspected to check the baffles to make sure that the baffles are on because if the baffles go, that means the leach field goes- to make sure the system is in good condition. Mr. Riccio expressed his anger and frustration over the whole situation and he agreed not to sell the house without putting in a new system. On a motion by Dr. MacMillan, seconded by Mr. Osgood, the Board voted unanimously to leave the present septic system intact and to place a condition in the deed that if the house is sold a new system has to be in place. RATS: Mrs. Starr mentioned to the Board Members that it looks as though there is a rat infestation on High Street, Columbia Street, and Thorndike Street. Mrs. Starr stated that she devised a neighborhood survey that she is sending out to these residents. Mrs. Starr mentioned that there are approximately five houses in that general area with rats. Mrs. Starr wants to find out how big of a problem this is. Mrs. Starr stated that individually she is telling people to exterminate. Mrs. Starr stated that this is a good time because they mate in the spring and the fall and if we could do a large extermination and get all the property owners and get their exterminators to exterminate during the same time period then they can move the harborage and hopefully stomp them out. 99 MEADOWVIEW ROAD: Mrs. Starr stated that she has a plan which is a temporary repair. Mrs. Starr went on to read notes made by the engineer o the plan "the existing pre-cast leaching pit pumped, removed and cleaned. All spoiled soil shall be removed from around and below the existing pit. Clean sharp sand shall be replaced on the bottom. The pit shall be replaced at the same grade and backfilled all around with 3/4 - 1 1/2 inch stone" Mrs. Starr believes that the engineer did this because the sewer is coming up. Mrs. Starr mentioned this is a temporary repair. Mrs. Starr did not want to approve this without the Board' s approval, she wanted to bring it before the Board Members first. Mrs. Starr asked the Board Members if that was acceptable? Mrs. Page 4 Minutes: July 21, 1994 Starr stated that sewer will be up there in a year. Dr. MacMillan stated that that sounds reasonable. Mr. Osgood stated that he wouldn't try to make him do anything more then this. Mrs. Starr agreed. On a motion by Dr. MacMillan, seconded by Mr. Osgood, the Board voted unanimously to approve the temporary repair at 99 Meadowview Road. CATS - DR. ATWOOD• Dr. Atwood called today and spoke with Janet in reference to a house on Massachusetts Avenue with many, many cats owned by a person named Connie. The cats have scratched several children and a few of the children needed the rabies vaccine. Dr. MacMillan suggested that Mrs. Starr inform her that she has to have her cats immunized or the Board of Health will have to call the MSPCA. NEXT MEETING• The Board agreed to meet August 11, 1994 ADJOURNMENT: On a motion by Dr. MacMillan, seconded by Mr. Osgood, the Board agreed to adjourn. John S. Rizza, Clerk