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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOH Minutes 10/13/1992BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES } October 13, 1992 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Henry Austin, Michael Van5p�lnt r�,IQorl�ld,S 0 le and Peter Fontanini �t• "o U YYffii ALSO PRESENT Health Agent Scott Leite HA_,S,;t C MET T S 1. CALL TO ORDER at 7:12 PM by Chair Austin in the Qualters Middle School Auditorium Acting Clerk: Consensus of Board was to appoint Don Steele as Acting Clerk. 2. CONSENT AGENDA a. Approval of Minutes Sept. 10th and 17th, 1992 b. Approval of Disposal Works Installers Permit: Kelton Potter, Rapod Realty Corp., Norton MOTION: To approve Consent Agenda. Fontanini /Steele. All in favor. VOTED. 3. COMMUNICATIONS a. Copy of letter from GEI Consultants, Inc., to DEP, Sept. 14, 1992, re: Compo Chemical Co., Inc. b. Memo to Bob Swanson from Health Agent, Sept. 17, 1992, re: Dry Sewer Lines c. Memo from Henry Austin, Chair BOH to Chairs of Sewer Commissioners, Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Town Manager and Town Engineer, Sept. 28, 1992, re: East Mansfield Sewer Project and Existing Sewer Lines. d. Copy of Legal Notice for Public Hearing for,Sewer Connection Reg. e. Letter from Community Visiting Nurse Agency, Sept. 22, 1992, re: Flu Clinics on October 20th and 27, 1992, at the Council on Aging. f. Copy of memo to Board of Selectmen from Bruce Montgomery, Sept. 22, 1992, re: Sound Report Sept. 15 -20, 1992. g. Copy of letter from DEP to CTI Cryogenics, Sept. 23, 1992, re: Hazardous Waste. h. Copy of letter from DEP to Guaranty -First Trust Co., Sept. 24, 1992, re: Gorham Silver Co., Edgewood St. /So. Main St. i. Copies of letters from Textron to Junkins, 19 Leonard St., Donegan, 28 Leonard St., Hernon, 4 Leonard Cir., Veglas, 8 Leonard Cir., Belastock, 8 Leonard Cir., McSheffrey, 1 Leonard Cir., Bowes, 3 Leonard Cir., Chingris, 29 Leonard St., Penesis, 368 Willow St., Zucchero, 355 Willow St., offering them $2,000 over four years for compensation for water use due to the condemnation of their well. Letter sent to Buote, 15 Bellview Ave., offering $1,000, since he is on septic - -not sewer. j. Copy of letter from DEP to Hatheway & Patterson, Oct. 7, 1992, re: Approval of Phase II. k. Letter from BOH member Ed Rosenberg to Chair of Board of Selectmen and Chair of BOH, Oct. 10, 1992, re: "Retirement" from BOH as of Dec. 31, 1992. 4. VISITORS At 7:30PM the Public Hearing was held for the Proposed Sewer Connection Reg. A separate transcript is attached due to its length. Board of Health Page 2 October 13, 1992 5. "HEALTH AGENT'S REPORT a. South Main St. /Edgewood St., Groundwater Pollution: Agent reported that Textron has settled on an amount to award to the residents whose wells have been declared condemned. b. Failed Perc Policy: Will be discussed next meeting. c. Mr. Donut: Agent reinspected and reported that it has been cleaned up nicely. d. Peres: 65 Peres and 182 plans as of today. 6. OLD BUSINESS a. Flouridation: Update will be presented next meeting. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Name Plates: Secretary received a price and will report next meeting. b. Automotive Hazardous Waste Day: October 31st, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts. Volunteers needed, please. 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: To adjourn at 10:00 PM. Steele /VanSplinter. All in favor. VOTED. Clerk Respectfully submitted, Dianne Royle Recording Secretary NEXT MEETING: OCTOBER 22, 1992 Date /I- ` L BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES OCTOBER 13, 1992 PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED SEWER CONNECTION REGULATION PRESENT: Board of Health Members: Henry Austin, Chairman Peter Fontanini Donald Steele Michael VanSplinter Scott Leite, Health Agent Bill Madan, Planning Board Chair Edward Tartufo, Chair Sewer Commissioners Bill Williams, Town Manager Bob Swanson, Town Engineer Dave Archard, Water Superintendent (in audience) Greg Cauldwell, Chair Cons. Comm. (in audience) Mr. Austin introduced the panel, thanked everyone for coming (approx. 100 people) and told them that the purpose of the meeting is to answer the questions and concerns since at the last meeting they could not be answered due to the fact that many of them were out of the BOH's realm and jurisdiction. Health Agent gave a very informative presentation of how a septic system works and its effects on groundwater. He also prepared a printed handout depicting his presentation for residents to take home with them. Ralph Tataglia, 10 Erick Rd.: How much is the East Mansfield project? $2.4 million. Betterment charges were based on each unit, house, apartment, vacant lot. $934,000 came from sewer reserve account, 67% betterment and 33% debt exclusion. Each unit pays betterment. Mr. Swanson continued to explain that the law is clear and allows for four different methods of charging: frontage, area of lot, combo of frontage /area, and unit basis. Town chose unit basis. Mr. Tataglia asked that the method be reconsidered. The cost of the sewer cannot be spread over the entire town through the tax rate, because more than likely, your property will be increased in value with the sewerline along your property. Don't know if you can deduct betterment charge through income tax. Dick Kelsey, Stearns Ave: Will I pay two rates after hooking up? Yes, one for water, one for sewer. The sewer treatment plant has capacity for additional hookups. It's a demand - driven system, commented Town Manager, Bill Williams. Mrs. Sullivan, Tremont St.: Asked if West Mansfield will be included? Public Hearing Page 2 Proposed Sewer Connection Regulation October 13, 1992 Chair, Sewer Commissioners, Ed Tartufo: Gave a history of sewer starting with Back Bay area (over 20 years ago), extending to CUF Industrial Park, the School and Spring Streets interceptor to today with East Mansfield Sewerline. The Town developed in 1976 the Sewe Master Plan. The antiquated sewer treatment plant on Fruit Street was replaced by a new one in Norton, owned by Mansfield, and shared with Norton and Foxboro, with Mansfield's approval for their requested capacity. The School and Spring Streets interceptor had a major problem - -an 18" pipe to a 12" pipe with sewer backing up through manholes on West and Dean Streets. Town was pumping, through a chlorinator, into the Rumford River. It was later determined and recommended by several boards and commissions, and appproved at Town Meeting, that since East Mansfield was the area with major development, the sewer project should be reversed from West to East Mansfield. That's where we are today. Beth Flint, East St.: There is more of a burden to the homeowners since Mr. Keith bowed out of the $200,000 grant he promised. Bonney Lane and Erick Road failed septic systems prompted the sewer to occur in East Mansfield, she said. Paul Frank, 21 Erick Road: Gave a history of what occurred to get a successful vote on the ballot for the sewerline. William Bellamy, Hall St.: "You are legislating us out of Mansfield ", he said. Very concerned financially since his pipes are in the rear of his house. Ann Taylor, Management Company for Village II Condos: Suggested creative financing from the Town. There are 68 units at Village II and the cost for the 68 units is $48,000. They are paying their fair share. Colin Cauldwell, 842 East St.: Asked why laterals were not installed to hook up the many subdivisions along the route of the sewerline? Town Engineer Swanson replied that these subdivisions are small, with newly paved streets and new septic systems, and that the Town tried to do it at the cheapest possible cost. Nancy Isabelle, 185 Mill St.: Stated that houses are built on lot where percolation tests have failed. Health Agent immediately corrected her and replied that that is not true. The law is very specific, a lot can be perced in several areas until the test meets the criteria of the law. It not approved by judgment - -only by meeting the law. Annette Shaw, Mill St.: Asked if there were mandatory hookup regs in Foxboro and Norton. Chair of BOH replied that the Agent is in the Public Hearing Proposed Sewer Connection Regulation r' October 13, 1992 Page 3 process of surveying towns for that info. She stated that the residents of Mansfield need to know what other towns are requiring. Fran Shaw, Mill St.: Do sewer rates go down as more people hookup? More than likely they won't, replied Bob Swanson. Chair BOH Austin explained why the fine is in the reg. It is strictly a tool for the court of law to use for someone who consistently refuses to obey the law. Steve Danos, 166 Essex St.: Asked if legal for BOH to set a fee. Yes. Eileen Buckley, 1 Essex St.: Wants Board of Selectmen to make the sewer connection policy, since they are an elected board. Mr. Tartufo replied that that is illegal. Sara Forbes, Clinton St.: Not fair for the whole town to pay sewer bill. Ever since interceptor was installed through Branch St., her parents watertable (Clinton St.) dropped considerably. Randy Moore, Essex St.: Other regulations to protect groundwater must be considered, such as use of fertilizers, pesticides. Chair BOH replied that the Board already tried a regulation for lawncare use and the Board lost the case in court when major lawncare companies challenged the reg. Katherine Frederick, Mill St.: In favor of sewer, but not for mandatory hookup. Howard Fish, Spring St.: Millions of gallons of water leave Mansfield. Are we running out? Dave Archard, Water Superintendent, replied that at this point the Town is looking pretty healthy. Peg Burt, East St.: The betterment charge ought to be based on how many people live in the house. Marian Gurney, 210 Essex St.: Asked what is the cost per foot to hookup from street to house? What do we do with old tank? What about personal hardships? Bob Swanson answered that the cost is approximately $60.00 /foot. Old tanks can remain in ground as long as pumped out, replied Health Agent. Personal hardships will be considered, Chair BOH responded. Joe Borroni, West St.: Asked if reg is for the whole Town. Yes. Brian Sullivan, Essex St.: Asked if reg could be published in newspaper couple of weeks prior to vote? Public Hearing Page 4 Proposed Sewer Connection Regulation October 13, 1992 Health Agent commented that mandatory hookup for a failed septic system is State law. Bill Madan, Chair Planning Board: Stated that it was his understanding that at town meeting it was stated that it would not be mandatory to hook up. He recommended that any future development within a reasonable distance of the sewerline be made to hook up. Greg Cauldwell, 880 East St.: Is it possible to check the aquifer to see at what point it will be contaminated? Health Agent responded that it can be done on paper by calculating the number of nitrates that enter the aquifer. Joe DeSimone, Mill St.: Can you make the reg on new development only? Mr. Tartufo responded that the underlying reason for the sewer was to take on new development - -not the 80 homeowners on the trunkline. Chairman Austin thanked everyone for coming, complimented the panel for their responses to the citizens' concerns and amicable working relationship. Hearing closed at 10:00 PM.