Back attending in person on November 3 after “zooming” into the Marion Board of Health following a hospital stay, Dr. Ed Hoffer focused his comments in two public hearings for septic-system variances on what happens after the systems become operational.
The board, including Chairman Dr. John Howard and the recent addition of foundational member Albin Johnson, would vote to grant variances to homeowners at 707 Mill Street and 33 Abel’s Way, but not before Hoffer made sure that the systems will waste thousands of dollars minus ongoing attention as prescribed in Marion’s septic bylaw.
“The paperwork is not incidental … a nitrogen-removal system requires testing, and it’s important that homeowners understand this,” he said, defining it as “part of their obligation.”
The variance for variance requests made by Steve Clark at 707 Mill Street were presented by Zenith Consulting Engineers, including distance from a slab foundation from the required 10 feet to 3 feet.
The Zenith representative told the board that the variances are needed to meet the state’s Title 5 requirements and reported that Marion’s own consultant (George Heufelder) approved the system as proposed.
Representing the property owner at 33 Abel’s Way, Foresight Engineering’s Darren Michaelis laid out a variance request, including the reduction of the required setback from the existing foundation from 20 feet to 11 feet, the substitution of a percolation test and the allowance of one observation hole.
Attending the meeting remotely, Michaelis explained that the variances are needed to complete a “simple septic repair” on a 1977 house sitting in a “tight area” where it became necessary to place a liner to prevent any type of problem where the sewage pipe crosses the water pipe.
He said Marion’s Conservation Commission approved the project, which includes analysis confirming soils and depth of the water table.
The nitrogen-reducing, MicroFAST wastewater-treatment system comes with a deed restriction that Hoffer requested certainty of the owners’ knowledge regarding the necessity of maintenance and testing. The deed restriction ensures that the IA system must be maintained into perpetuity.
Johnson asked if the system comes with a boiler-plate series of instructions for the owner. Michaelis explained that a two-year agreement will be turned in prior to the release of the permit, and Desmarais added Heufelder’s approval. Michaelis said that once the unit is purchased, the homeowner signs the contract with the vendor. He told Johnson will send a PDF of the contract.
Neal Balboni appeared before the board to provide a project-status update for his mother’s house at 28 Pitcher Street. He said there has been work done on the eaves to make sure animals cannot get inside the house. Balboni said that official representation is out of state.
“I’m going to make sure it’s monitored,” he said, telling the board that the long-term plan is to totally renovate the house. “We would like to keep it in the family.” The property has been owned by five generations of their family.
In her Health Director update to the board, Public Health Nurse Lori Desmarais characterized Marion’s 41 COVID-19 cases in October as stable but noted that most residents with concern are home testing.
Tabor Academy held a flu-vaccine clinic on November 3, administering 117 flu shots. Marion is working on a drive-through, flu-vaccine clinic for Thursday, November 17, and 60 residents had indicated interest as of November 3. An email blast was sent out.
Public hearings are scheduled for November 30 and December 1 for the state’s proposed amendments to Title 5 regulations. Desmarais indicated that draft regulations will address Cape Cod first, then mainland residences.
In updating the board on Chapter 2 complaints, inspections and orders to correct, Desmarais said she was unable to contact the resident at 464 Front Street but will go back to conduct the last inspection associated with the order.
Desmarais also reported that a generator for emergencies at Little Neck Village is not legally required, but the site does have a generator that gives emergency lighting and heat. Hoffer suggested a note to the owner suggesting an upgrade upon necessary replacement that would power up appliances so that insulin could remain refrigerated for those residents in need and similar needs.
Desmarais reported five food inspections and five more scheduled for November.
After meeting with Interim Town Administrator/Finance Director Judy Mooney, Desmarais reported that the Board of Health should anticipate a “level-service” but not “level-funded” budget for FY24.
The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for Thursday, November 17, at 4:00 pm at the Police Station, also accessible live via Zoom.
Marion Board of Health
By Mick Colageo