01/24/2022 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mashpee Select Board Minutes January 24, 2022 JOINT MEETING WITH THE BOARD OF HEALTH Discussion and Update with Regard to the Status of Septic Systems Cesspools and Wastewater Treatment Systems in Town: (continued) Considerations under the draft Sewer Connection Regulation to be discussed include, but not limited to; • Requiring I/A systems to connect. • Allowing I/A systems to remain if the system has not been in use for 10 years. Connection would be required for those systems 10+ years. • Require connection of I/A system if utilized to obtain more bedrooms, where nitrogen credit was used, or to allow a reduction in the depth to groundwater. • Connection is required if the site is located in a Zone II of a community supply well or in an area where the CWMP states that all septic discharges must be removed from the watershed. • Connection is required if the operation and maintenance contract has not been made. • With the transfer of ownership of an I/A system, a 30-day connection is required. • Allow I/A systems in remote areas not planned for service by public sewer. • Education would be provided regarding new I/A technologies and their application. • Check valves would be required on gravity sewer collection systems as a preventative measure in occupied structures. • New Title V design and installations would be considered for future connection. The Town Engineer would have the ability to recommend any design or construction criteria to facilitate future connections. It was noted that property owners may have the ability to obtain grant funds and possible extensions if they are in line for the sewer connection. The options when fully defined would be made available to the homeowners. Discussion followed regarding the connection of I/A systems and the incentive to obtain additional bedroom units. It was recommended the Board of Health not consider giving credit to those using I/A and denitrification systems. It was suggested the elimination be further clarified in the new Sewer Connection Regulations. The main objective for the nitrogen -reducing systems is to lessen the amount of nitrogen that attenuates in to the town's estuaries. Additional density if allowed would offset the value of benefit from an I/A system. A regulation that allows greater density thwarts the objective. Although it was argued some residents may be upset when there is no recourse to expand their homes. From an environmental regulatory point of view Title V is an abject failure and there is a need to break away from the standard Title V approaches if the town is concerned about improving water quality. Title V regulations were crafted to meet the standard for drinking water systems, and not to address nitrogen loading in embayment's. It was suggested this topic be placed on the Board of Health's agenda for additional review. The Board of Health meeting was Called to Order by Chairman Brian Baumgaertel.