Town of Hingham
Board of Health Meeting
A posted public meeting of the Hingham Board of Health (the Board) was held in the South Central Hearing Room, 210 Central St. Hingham, Massachusetts.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Bickford at 7:13pm.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Peter Bickford, Member
Kirk Shilts, D.C., Member
STAFF PRESENT
Bruce Capman, R.S., Executive Health Officer
AGENDA
Mr. Capman reviewed the posted draft agenda with the Board.
Thereafter, the agenda was accepted with additions.
DEFINITIVE SUBDIVISION APPLICATION
987 MAIN STREET, SPRAGUE COURT
The Board reviewed an application to establish a new definitive subdivision.
Applicant spokesperson: Gary James.
The Board reviewed the following documents:
- Report from Mr. Capman dated 8/20/10
- Letter from Johanna & Robert Van Strien dated 8/23/10
- Copy of a 8/4/10 letter from Johanna & Robert Van Strien to the Hingham Planning Board
- Letter from Carol & Dan Spalm dated 8/24/10
The Board discussed the following issues:
- The proposal is to convert an existing four-bedroom residential property into two, three-bedroom lots.
- The total property is reportedly 86,249sq.ft. to be split into a 38,700 sq.ft. lot, a 37,600sq.ft. lot, and a 10,441sq.ft. roadway. By regulation, roadway acreage can not be applied to either proposed house lot for septic disposal calculations.
- The proposed roadway (cul-de-sac) is unusually angled and extremely short off of route 228, a state highway. Mr. James said he hopes that the Planning Board will allow for the cul-de-sac to only exist on paper, and that the current driveway service as the actual roadway to these proposed residences.
- Dr. Shilts mentioned that the current driveway actually splits where it meets route 228, which is directly opposite of Longmeadow Rd. He added having witnessed numerous accidents at this difficult intersection.
Thereafter, a Motion was made by Dr. Shilts and Seconded by Mr. Bickford and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To approve the proposed ‘Sprague Court’ definitive subdivision at 987 Main St. based on the “grading plan” dated 8-4-10, and include a letter to the Planning Board regarding the Board’s concern about the adverse safety implications to the proposed roadway.
SEPTIC SYSTEM VARIANCE REQUEST
104 SOUTH PLEASANT STREET
The Board reviewed a homeowner request for variances from State Title-5 and Hingham Supplemental (septic) regulations relative to a failed sewage disposal system.
Applicant spokesperson: Charles Woodward
The Board reviewed the following documents:
- Report from Mr. Capman dated 9/8/10
The Board discussed the following issues:
- The proposed system will service a 5-beedroom residence.
- The property abuts a tributary to a protected waterway.
- Mr. Woodward reports that the basement of this residence has frequent water infiltration and is equipped with a sump pump.
- The proposal appears to meet maximum feasible compliance.
Thereafter, a Motion was made by Dr. Shilts and Seconded by Mr. Bickford and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To grant four (4) Divergences from State Title-5 regulation 15.405(1)(b), 15.405(1)(a), 15.405(g), 15.405(1)(i); and three (3) Variances from the Hingham Supplemental (septic) Rules and Regulations sections VI.9, VI.12(a) & VI.7(c); and conditional on the fifteen (15) conditions outlined in Mr. Capman’s 9/8/10 report; and the applicant submit a Board-approved basement drainage plan; and the submission of a revised plan correcting all noted spelling errors.
SEPTIC SYSTEM VARIANCE REQUEST
28 LONGMEADOW ROAD
The Board reviewed a homeowner request for variances from State Title-5 and Hingham Supplemental (septic) regulations relative to a failed sewage disposal system.
Applicant spokesperson: Philip Spath
Applicant: Laura Spaziani
The Board reviewed the following documents:
- Report from Mr. Capman dated 9/7/10
The Board discussed the following issues:
- The proposed system will service a 4-bedroom residence.
- Dr. Shilts railed against the proliferation of stark white septic system vent pipes in the front yards of Hingham residences
- The proposal appears to meet maximum feasible compliance.
Thereafter, a Motion was made by Dr. Shilts and Seconded by Mr. Bickford and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To grant a single (1) Variance from State Title-5 regulations 310CMR 15.212(a), and a single (1) Divergence from State Title-5 regulation 15.405(1)(b); and two (2) Variances from the Hingham Supplemental (septic) Rules and Regulations sections VI.9, & VI.12(a); and conditional on the fourteen (14) conditions outlined in Mr. Capman’s 9/7/10 report; and amend condition #10 to replace the word “charcoal” with “camouflage”.
SEPTIC HAULER PERMIT
ELIZA KENDALL, DBA: ELIZAJ EVENT RENTALS
The Board reviewed a 8/3/10 correspondence from Atty. Lindsey Straus requesting that Ms. Kendall be excused from having to obtain a septic haulers permit for her portable restroom business.
The Board reviewed the following document:
- DEP Title-5 regulations 310 CMR 15.502
The Board discussed the following issue:
- The request appears incongruent with state Title-5 regulations on “Transportation” of septage.
Thereafter, a Motion was made by Dr. Shilts and Seconded by Mr. Bickford and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To deny the request from Eliza Kendall that she be excluded from having to obtain a septic haulers permit for doing business in Hingham.
MINUTES
The Board postponed review of the August 26, 2010 public meeting minutes.
EXECUTIVE HEALTH OFFICER’S REPORT:
- Health Agent position
Mr. Capman reviewed with the Board a list of applicants for the open position of Health Agent.
Thereafter, the Board recommended interviewing the applicant from New Jersey.
SCHEDULING
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at 7:00pm.
ADJOURNMENT
The September 22, 2010 meeting of the Hingham Board of Health adjourned at 9:01pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kirk Shilts, D.C.
Hingham Board of Health