WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=1h7-SGhpPSM NOTE MEETING SECTIONS: Part 1 (Video ID: 1h7-SGhpPSM): - 00:00:01: Meeting Called to Order and Introductions - 00:01:29: Director of Public Health Written and Verbal Updates - 00:03:15: Approval of March 10th and April 27th Minutes - 00:04:22: Mid City Scrap Fire and Environmental Implications - 00:07:09: Public Comment: Concerns About Mid City Testing - 00:11:26: Health Notes Column on Private Well Water Testing - 00:13:24: Planning for River Day Information and Concerns - 00:16:06: Scheduling a Working Meeting to Discuss Stormwater - 00:19:23: Board Member Updates: Mental Health Awareness Month - 00:26:59: Septic Plan Review for American Legion Highway - 00:31:01: Topics for Next Regular Meeting Discussion - 00:34:02: Plan for Public Nurse Position Hiring Challenges - 00:37:37: Communication and Workforce Burnout Concerns Discussed - 00:38:10: Hearing: Variance Request for East Cadman's Neck Road - 00:47:39: East Cadman's Neck Road Variance Motion Approved - 00:48:21: Hearing: Septic Repair at Old Bedford Road - 00:49:58: Concerns and Clarification for Old Bedford Road - 00:55:43: Continuation of Old Bedford Road Hearing to June - 00:56:17: Discussion for Next Regular Meeting; Motion to Adjourn Part: 1 1 00:00:01.439 --> 00:00:17.359 Okay, great. Thank you. Um, welcome uh to the Westport Board of Health May 11th, 2026 meeting, which I am calling to order with the following announcements. Under master law, chapter 38, section 20F, this meeting is being recorded. And since we don't have our 2 00:00:17.359 --> 00:00:33.040 name tags, I am Tanya Bryen, the chair, and this is Donna Amaral, the secretary, and Phil Weinberg, our vice chair, is I have to bring them down. >> That's okay. Um, and please join me in the pledge of allegiance. 3 00:00:33.040 --> 00:00:50.039 I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. 4 00:00:52.960 --> 00:01:13.520 >> Okay. Um, uh, did Phil express any um, interest the board of the organization? We put on the agenda and now he's not here today. >> He he didn't mention anything to me. >> Okay. To postpone it. >> Yeah, I think so. Um, so, um, after the 5 00:01:13.520 --> 00:01:30.080 last election, um, we need to reorganize the board. Um but since we have are missing a board member, we will um um pass over that agenda item. And can we make a note to put it on that next agenda? 6 00:01:30.080 --> 00:01:52.880 >> Sure. >> Okay. Um moving on to the next uh director of public health written report. Um, and I know Matt, you have been uh because we are short staffed, you've been running around like a chicken with 7 00:01:52.880 --> 00:02:09.280 your head cut off. Um, so I'm just going to go right to um uh your um verbal updates. >> Yeah. So, we just um uh continue to search for a health agent. Um we haven't really received any resume 8 00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:24.480 since February. So, um I'll be uh talking with the town administrator tomorrow to strategize about how we can um you know change that. >> Um we have to talk about also the public health nurse position and um that's 9 00:02:24.480 --> 00:02:41.840 going to be um Linda put in her um retirement papers. So, we're going to start looking to fill that for the beginning of July. Also talk to the administrator about that as well. >> We also have a challenge to fill with the current >> structure. Um transfer stations 10 00:02:41.840 --> 00:02:57.760 operating well. Uh the well tomorrow, I'm sorry, Wednesday, uh should be all in and ready to go. Um the well is in, but they have to put the trench and the tanks in and everything and and wire it up. So that's all going to happen Wednesday. >> Yeah. >> Right. Yeah. And the search continues 11 00:02:57.760 --> 00:03:15.120 for animal control part-time on call offices. >> Okay. challenging environment for hiring in the current um fiscal environment in town. Um okay, any other questions or comments? 12 00:03:15.120 --> 00:03:34.959 We will get to Mid City in more detail later. Um okay, we have um two sets of minutes here. um March 10th um was a special meeting of the board of health. Um we 13 00:03:34.959 --> 00:03:50.239 were discussing successful closeout strategies. Any concerns about those? >> I have no concerns. >> Um so I move that we approve uh the minutes for March 10th for the special 14 00:03:50.239 --> 00:04:06.799 meeting at March 10th, 2026. >> I'll second that motion. All in favor? I. That's unanimous two to nothing with one absence. Okay. Um and then the next uh our most recent regular meeting April 15 00:04:06.799 --> 00:04:22.960 27th, 2026. Any concerns about >> No, they seem to be um fine. Okay. >> As well. So I move that we approve the April 27th, 2026 minutes. >> I'll second that motion. All in favor? >> I. That's unanimous. Two to nothing with 16 00:04:22.960 --> 00:04:42.320 one absence. Okay. Okay, moving on to other business. We start with the Mid City Scrap Fire and uh environmental implications on that. >> So, as most of us know, there was a um large fire at Mid City Scrap on May 4th. 17 00:04:42.320 --> 00:04:59.440 Um so um the board of health had put out a um as part of the press release guidance that residents in the immediate area they um were recommended um to have their wells tested um and um 18 00:04:59.440 --> 00:05:15.199 consequently after consulting with D um and the EPA, we kind of pulled back that initial guidance and um and basically recommended that no well testing is done needed at this time. 19 00:05:15.199 --> 00:05:31.440 However, DP Mid City uh scrap hire they hired an LSP Mid City scrap and they yeah licensed site professional they started testing the surface waters >> and now they're branching out um they're I think they're branching a little over 20 00:05:31.440 --> 00:05:46.880 1,000 ft now testing some of the wells in the area and um you know that's all we have at the moment. >> Okay. But they're the ones doing the testing, >> right? And that's a requirement under the um hazardous waste site kind of 21 00:05:46.880 --> 00:06:02.919 regulations from D. >> Correct. >> Um okay. Um >> here. >> Yep. Um well, let me let me just say that um 22 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:20.479 well water testing is something that if you have a private drinking water well, unlike public water supplies which get tested very frequently, it's up to the homeowner. Um we do not currently have local well regulations in Westport. we have been um trying to get to developing 23 00:06:20.479 --> 00:06:37.440 that to provide more specific guidance because Westport is I think 90% on private water uh drinking water um wells um but we haven't gotten that far yet. Um we've got lots of things on our plate. Um uh so um there is good 24 00:06:37.440 --> 00:06:53.039 guidance on the state website about um uh frequency of uh recommend they recommend D recommends um water testing some things annually and some things initially and every 10 years. Um but 25 00:06:53.039 --> 00:07:09.599 happy to um answer questions about uh any concerns folks have about um the followup from that from an environmental perspective or public health perspective. have any questions? She >> wants to come up here. 26 00:07:09.599 --> 00:07:23.440 >> Come up here. >> We promise we're not intimidating. >> She knows me. She knows I'm not intimidating. >> Hi, Karen Goya. I live on Drive. So, I'm concerned. 27 00:07:23.440 --> 00:07:39.680 Will we get the report from the testing? Will that be made public to the residents of Westport? Like you said, you they're moving their testing out further. So, they obviously got results from the first test from the runoff. Is that going to be made public to the 28 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:55.599 residents of Westport? >> The um as far as I recall, because I've looked at that um I believe, don't hold me to this because I haven't looked recently, but there's a D website for all of sites like this with the license 29 00:07:55.599 --> 00:08:12.319 site professional information. And in the past they would post information there, but I don't think >> Have you ever tried looking on that thing? I've I've been scouring it since the fire and I might have to do a a YouTube video to figure [laughter] it out. And it's not it's not user 30 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:28.080 friendly. >> It's not user friendly at all. >> You know, like they sent the press release out right away. Can the board of health send out something, you know, a posting on the results? That's what that's >> Yeah. I haven't received anything yet. They're supposed to send me the test 31 00:08:28.080 --> 00:08:43.039 results and I haven't received them yet. I I was told last week that it wouldn't be possibly until midweek this week until we see results because the lab I guess takes some time to, you know, generate these results, >> right? But if they're furthering their their testing out from the original one, 32 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:58.880 they must obviously have found something in the initial one. No, I think it's still the initial um um radius that they the licensed site professionals were um you know the D required is thousand feet. >> I understood that they were just testing 33 00:08:58.880 --> 00:09:15.120 the runoff water from where they extinguished the fire first. >> Right. They do. Yeah. In phase, >> right? So now they're going out further. So they I'm I'm I'm suspecting they might have found something with the initial test that would require them to go out further. >> Um no, I don't think that's the case. I 34 00:09:15.120 --> 00:09:31.519 think it's just it's a phase testing because they the they do the most immediate first and it's it's it was always planned to do the thousand ft out. So I don't I don't don't I don't think it's it's premature to get too worried about it. Um one good thing that 35 00:09:31.519 --> 00:09:47.519 we do know is they did not use firefighting foam, right? >> Which is of course PAS high PAS risk. So that's a good thing. Um the other thing to be u cognizant of or aware of that is that um 36 00:09:47.519 --> 00:10:04.640 contaminants uh um take a while to reach the groundwater and and travel. So sometimes results you know elevations won't show up for >> months. Um so this initial round of testing is sort of for the init you know 37 00:10:04.640 --> 00:10:20.399 sort of uh first reaction if you will. Um >> well then just to kind of find out what exactly >> is steeping out from the wreckage. >> Well, what I hear you saying is you as our concerned resident would like to have access to that information. 38 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:36.079 Correct. We will do our best to get that from a licensed site professional and make that available publicly. If there's a reason we can't make it available publicly, we'll also do, you know, >> maybe point us in the direction to get on the link on that website a little easier. 39 00:10:36.079 --> 00:10:53.440 >> Okay. All right. Um, I'll write that down, too. Um, >> yeah, cuz we could always pull it down from there once it's posted and post it. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Cuz it it was really frustrating. >> Yeah. >> And secondly, I'm I'm concerned the 40 00:10:53.440 --> 00:11:10.560 bread and cheese brook kind of runs past the mid city, then it comes closer to my backyard sort of thing. So, wouldn't that be a good thing to check the bread and cheese where it's up by Mid City cuz if something's flowing in, 41 00:11:10.560 --> 00:11:26.480 it's coming down. >> Well, that would be part of the surface water testing presumably that they're doing. I don't know for sure, but we can we can follow up. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> I believe conservation has been looking into that too. >> Kong. Yeah. Conservation. Okay. Oh, yeah. They're looking into that, too. 42 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:46.240 >> Yeah, I think they're aware of that as well. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Anybody else have any questions or concerns they'd like to um articulate? Because people do. 43 00:11:46.240 --> 00:12:01.600 >> Oh, okay. As long as as long as we've answered your questions. Um I think given the recent events, um we do the board of health usually publishes once a month a a health notes column in Shorelines. Um, and I will, um, will 44 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:18.240 make a commitment to write a column about water test, private wellwater testing, and just to give people general guidance, um, and recommendations where to find information about labs, um, the kinds of things to test for, um, you know, and it's your own property. It's 45 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:33.600 your own right to test or not test. But um you know we certainly would encourage people to at least like when and often times banks will require for a mortgage but when you you know or some circumstance changes in the neighborhood, 46 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:48.880 >> you know the neighbor's septic starts bubbling out of the ground or >> or you know depending on the kinds of land uses around you might um you always should have a baseline test. It's a good thing to do at least 47 00:12:48.880 --> 00:13:06.160 to have sort of, you know, initial data then to compare in the future if some something changes or you notice the water quality doesn't seem the same like it was. So it's always a good idea to test um at least you know sort of to get a baseline and then depending on 48 00:13:06.160 --> 00:13:24.000 circumstances. So anyways, long story short, we will we will put out more information in our regular column. Okay. Well, that's good to know. Sometimes we think nobody reads our column, so maybe somebody, one person will read it. Okay. Thank you. Um, okay. 49 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:40.560 Um, moving on to other business planning for River Day information. >> Well, I think one of the things that we should have as well. >> Oh, that's a good idea. Um, I think that would be a really good because part of um, uh, our tableabling at Riverdale is 50 00:13:40.560 --> 00:13:56.000 to inform the community about specific public health concerns and certainly testing well water and understanding um, what it's important to look for and how often to do it. Um the other thing is we 51 00:13:56.000 --> 00:14:14.240 usually talk about um ticks and I had a recent article in um through Mass General that said the ERS are already reporting um an up an uptick in in tick related illnesses. 52 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:30.320 >> Um so so the ticks are out and I think that we I don't know if we have do we have any more tick kits? Yeah, we have some left. >> Yeah. So that we can hand out those and I don't know if there's anything that we can hand out um related to the water 53 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:44.560 testing, but I think that you know there's if we want to have the kits available to have people pick up and >> um to to do their testing. So >> um any other thoughts about what we 54 00:14:44.560 --> 00:15:02.240 would want to focus on on River Day? because I I take the lead on the community education um stuff. So I do >> on what to do. I mean the other sort of summertime thing I don't know you know sun sun >> sun safety >> cancer kind of things 55 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:16.720 >> sun safety >> sun safety and I'm sure we can find materials on that too um >> trying to think of anything else >> yeah I mean >> I mean that's I think that's plenty heat 56 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:33.040 you know the issue of heat um >> I'm sorry the issue of heat that impact of the summertime and elevated levels. >> Yeah, heat related illnesses as uh climate change continues [clears throat] to 57 00:15:33.040 --> 00:15:49.680 accelerate if you believe it. Um um we definitely seem to have hotter days and uh heat related. This is a big concern for >> when is river day? What's the date again? >> June. >> June I want to say to the end of June 20th 58 00:15:49.680 --> 00:16:06.360 >> June 20th. >> Okay. Just want to that way I have plenty of time to compile what you guys need. >> That's why I wanted to talk about it so that we could get >> start getting stuff together for that. So I'm not doing it at the length. 59 00:16:06.560 --> 00:16:23.519 >> Yeah, sure. >> Okay. Um next was scheduling a working meeting. We have a bunch of topics to um kind of cash over. Um >> we don't have Phil here though to talk about >> No, but he sent some uh availability to 60 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:40.480 the map that I think. >> Yeah, >> if I recall. >> Yes. Um, >> pull that up. [clears throat] >> And what are we going to be working on? I'm not looking. Um, oh, let's see. We talked about it the last agenda. Um, 61 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:58.399 sessful of um the storm water regulation. What else do we have on that? I know um Phil um re you know wants may maybe talk a little bit more about the storm water egg. >> Yeah. 62 00:16:58.399 --> 00:17:18.480 >> Yeah. Storm water assess pool um and any other agenda items that folks want to add? I guess we'll >> So when the dates he's available then >> um well I think he gave me the dates that he wasn't available. So, so he is 63 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:36.000 on on the 14th. He's not available from 1 to 2. He'll be out of town on the 18th and 19th, >> I would suggest. Yeah. Sort of. What Donna, you have restrictions as well. 64 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:53.120 >> I have so many things on my agenda. Um, usually we do a morning meeting right around 10:00. Um, how about Friday the 22nd? >> I can't do Friday the >> Oh, that's a long weekend, I guess, too. 65 00:17:53.120 --> 00:18:10.080 >> Yeah, I could do the the 21st at 10. That would be tough for me. Okay. >> And the following week is the Memorial Day post Memorial Day weekend and that 66 00:18:10.080 --> 00:18:29.039 is out Monday through Thursday. going to be crazy. Um, could we potentially do it this Friday? Is that too? No. Um, how about in the afternoon? Oh, no. Matt Phil can't do it. 67 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:47.240 >> Yeah. Plus, I'm I'm um not I'm not here most of the day anyway. >> Okay. >> How about um we go into >> I could do the 29th. >> Does it have to be in May? No. >> How about Thursday, June 11th? 68 00:18:49.679 --> 00:19:06.799 >> Um, >> I can't in the morning. I have my kicker support group in the afternoon. >> Okay. Can we do like 11 11 >> 11 to 12:30 or something? >> Yeah. Okay. >> So, Thursday Journal 11th >> um pending Phil's availability. 69 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:23.600 >> Okay. I don't think anyone was looking that far out. Just taking us. >> Okay. We need to take that. >> Uh so I would do we need to do a motion for that? 70 00:19:23.600 --> 00:19:39.039 Um All right. Uh moving on to board member updates. >> Okay. It's mental health awareness month. So I had my first um event which was Saturday and it was beginning the whole project. 71 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:57.360 >> Um if people go to the library um in the lobby of the library there is an easel with a um beginning of an art installation where I ask everyone to please contribute. Um it is messages of hope and messages of help um for people 72 00:19:57.360 --> 00:20:12.799 who may be struggling with depression, who may be just struggling in general. Um and so it's a way to make people aware of not only the fact that there is hope and support in our community, but I've also on the easel I have three 73 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:29.120 resources. One is a mental health uh resource guide for youth um which was created by the opioid um task force in New Beford. And then there is a resource guide from Fall River um that is also 74 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:46.320 there. And there's a multitude of different agencies to get support and help from. And I also have a um the number for the Massachusetts Behavioral Health helpline and that they're available 247. So, if somebody needs to 75 00:20:46.320 --> 00:21:02.720 call for some assistance or get some uh direction on where to get help, they can call that number um and be directed to other resources. But there's also the number 988. If people are struggling and need to talk to someone, there'll be 76 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:17.919 somebody that will answer that phone 247. And you don't have to, you know, be in a crisis. You may be someone who's feeling depressed, feeling lonely, and needs to connect with somebody, and you call 988 and there'll be somebody there 77 00:21:17.919 --> 00:21:35.919 that will help you, support you, and direct you to resources that are available. So, I do have um on that art installation, I have some information available, too. And so, it's going to be there till the end of May. and someone suggested I have um a uh a little 78 00:21:35.919 --> 00:21:53.679 reception to review what's been put on the um art installation um and to talk more about mental health issues. So that may be coming. I haven't decided on when that will happen, but um the other thing that in mental health awareness month, we weren't able to solidify the date for 79 00:21:53.679 --> 00:22:09.840 for the uh for this month. So, we on June 6, we're going to do an event in in collaboration with the town of Dartmouth. Um, and it'll be called a um the feelgood fair. Um, and the focus is 80 00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:24.159 going to be on mental health and recovery. And it will be from um 11:00 in the morning till 2:00 in the afternoon at UMass Dartmouth um just at the entrance um area. And um there'll be 81 00:22:24.159 --> 00:22:40.960 free food, first come, first serve. We'll also have a petting zoo um there available. Um and there'll be other things uh that'll be occurring at the same time, but again, it's free. It's open to everyone in the community. Um and we hope that people will come and 82 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:57.440 enjoy and and share in that um support and encouragement in the community. So, uh, those are the two, um, things I I am going to be writing another brief column for the shoreline or in the shorelines 83 00:22:57.440 --> 00:23:12.480 and the health notes to tell people about this event, but also to tell them about another event that I know is going to be happening. someone in the community who lost her son to an overdose um is going to be having a um a 84 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:28.799 memorial service at I believe it's at Horseneck Beach um in the end of May um for all parents who have lost children to overdoses. So I will make um I'll put that in the shorelines column as well. Um but the the the focus of mental 85 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:45.039 health awareness month is to make people aware is to open up a dialogue, a discussion, um allow people to freely talk about mental health issues because I know as a mental health professional there is in the family that has not been impacted by someone in the family who 86 00:23:45.039 --> 00:24:00.640 struggles with mental health issues or substance use issues. So this allows people more more comfort in um in coming together and talking about those things. Thank you. And um I know you mentioned it in when we were scheduling, but can 87 00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:14.880 you just spend a 30 seconds on the caregiver support group in case people aren't >> Oh, I I run a caregiver support group um on the second um Thursday of every month. Um it's at the library from 2:30 88 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:32.480 to um 4:30 and and one of the people that's in my group is here today. Um, and it um, it was started because someone in the community knew that I had a mental health background and asked me if I would be willing to run one because there wasn't one in the community. Um, 89 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:48.480 and uh, we are over a year old now. Um, and I would say that every every month there are at least nine if not more people in the group. Um, and they're pretty pretty consistent. Every once in a while we have some new come into the 90 00:24:48.480 --> 00:25:04.960 group. But it's been a tremendous um uh support to the people who are really struggling uh taking care of a loved one at home that is um that is in need of assistance. So and we have um many people are here taking care of a parent 91 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:22.159 or a spouse and we even have um um a member of our group who is recently a new mother who is also caring for her mother at home. So she's a typical sandwich generation where she's taking care of both. So, so it's um again it 92 00:25:22.159 --> 00:25:39.279 was a group that was started because someone in the community had a need and approached me. It's not affiliated with the board of health, but because I'm on the board of health, I do I do bring it up from time to time to let people know about. >> Well, that's an important um you know, 93 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:57.039 public health issue because what affects people individually affects the community as well. So >> correct. >> Um uh thank you and thank you for all your work on this. I really appreciate it. Um I have been away. >> Oh and next week um is uh our the opioid 94 00:25:57.039 --> 00:26:12.400 settlement fund advisory committee meeting which is at the town hall um at 6 pm in the select board meeting room on the second floor. So people are welcome to come and if they have anyone in the community um if [clears throat] there's a family member or they're wondering 95 00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:27.919 what's happening with this money that um we have been um given to use for the benefit of the community, people struggling with substance use disorders um and their family members. Um you can come and and and 96 00:26:27.919 --> 00:26:43.679 participate by telling us where you think the money should go. But right now we have um $380,000 and we are expected to receive a million dollars by 2038 from a class action 97 00:26:43.679 --> 00:26:59.360 lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies. So um so all are welcome to come to those meetings as well. Thank you very much. Okay, it's about um 4:30. We're going to move on to um Mr. 98 00:26:59.360 --> 00:27:16.000 Potter's here. Okay. um uh septic plan review for 1148 American Legion Highway owned by plane Smith. This is um for 131bedroom apartments. So, we've had the pleasure of Mr. Potter before talking about this, but we have new information 99 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:35.440 to help us um Glen Potter here for Randy Smith 1148 American Legion Highway Septic Repair. When I was last here, the board asked for a water uh quality test and it was done and uh I got the results and I gave 100 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:51.760 the results to your office. The waters looks pretty good. There's no color form. Nitrates is 3.7, nitrite is less than 0.6. Ammonia is less than 0.5. So the water sample does 101 00:27:51.760 --> 00:28:08.159 look good. >> Yeah. Um I think that was the um given the you know the number of um the concentration the number of 13 units on this >> right exactly >> we wanted to have that baseline 102 00:28:08.159 --> 00:28:24.159 information and I was just talking earlier about everyone should have baseline water quality testing so now that's great um >> um let me turn to Matt first for >> so no I think we there's no issues we reviewed this at the prior meeting And I 103 00:28:24.159 --> 00:28:41.919 think you know the plan itself was silent. It looks there was nothing more that can be really done there on the site and um the water test was just the last piece of the board approving and not approving. >> We wouldn't require dite in in this circumstance. So um so I would entertain 104 00:28:41.919 --> 00:28:59.279 a motion to um approve the plan. Oh, I'm sorry, Donna. You have any questions? >> No, we were waiting on the water testing and the water testing. Um so uh um a motion to approve the project. We don't have the 105 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:15.760 >> do we have the detail? I don't think we Nancy didn't um scan the plan information. >> I have the plan here after one >> and I have the information from our last >> the last meeting. I know that we needed there were a few conditions. 106 00:29:15.760 --> 00:29:33.360 Um let me see if I can find it. Here it is. We needed um the three 13bedroom deep restriction and concom review. Those were two conditions. But I there are no variances. >> Okay. Um has it gone through con? 107 00:29:33.360 --> 00:29:47.919 >> There was no concom signed off on the plan. >> They did. >> Yeah. >> They just need to stamp it. >> They just didn't stamp it. >> Okay. All right. So, we only need 13 bedroom restrictions, >> right? >> All right. All right. So, I move that we 108 00:29:47.919 --> 00:30:06.000 approve the plan for 1148 American Legion Highway um owned by Dwayne Smith, dated revised 1825 um for >> Excuse me. Is it 25? 26. 109 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:23.200 >> I have 25 on this plan unless there's another plan that I haven't seen. >> No, it's revised 1825. >> Okay. Yeah, >> you kind of dropped off on it. >> Okay. All right. It wasn't us slowing it down. Okay. Well, did a little >> So, we don't meet Cong. So, the only 110 00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:40.880 condition is um a 13bedroom deep restriction. >> Um I will second that motion. Um uh all in favor >> I >> I that is two to nothing with one absence for 1148 American Legion Highway. Thank you. >> Thanks, Linds. 111 00:30:40.880 --> 00:31:01.039 >> Okay. Um We have 440 has a butters, right? >> Yes. >> We'll have to wait on that one. Can do we have to wait for the 450? >> Yeah. Just in case somebody wants to come. 112 00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:17.360 >> Okay. All right. Um then uh any topics for the next regular meeting? We >> Well, our next regular meeting is in June, correct? >> Yes. Um we are uh the next normal believe the next scheduled meeting would 113 00:31:17.360 --> 00:31:33.120 be um on Memorial Days and we are going to um skip that one and so our next regular meeting is June 8th, 2026. Um so uh a lot will happen between now and then. So >> yes, we already have um an appointment 114 00:31:33.120 --> 00:31:52.960 on for 4:30 and it might be a long one uh because Morgan Thomas is coming in to talk about the layer cake systems. >> Oh, the layer cakes. Okay. >> Yeah. Um, so I think what you're telling me is don't put any long-winded agenda items on. >> Well, just cuz um, we're going to 115 00:31:52.960 --> 00:32:08.240 there's one that's, you know, the people are trying to sell and that's kind of a hot one, but we want to try to talk about all of them. Um, or something. >> Yeah. And so, um, >> and just, you know, I just wouldn't put anything off for 440. Maybe put something on for 450 if you know, give 116 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:25.200 it just a 20 minute. Um, >> all right. Um, anybody is there any other burning issue that we want to >> There's always burning issues. I just don't know if we want to put on the agenda. >> Words there. >> Yeah. Yeah. Really? No pun intended. 117 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:42.080 >> Um, let me follow up. I missed I was away last week so missed the meeting as well. Donna, were you there? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um Um, I know I got a report that went through. Um, so can we um we are 118 00:32:42.080 --> 00:32:57.679 getting a new animal control van um so we can proceed with that purchase. >> Yeah. So I talked to the uh Colonial Municipal Group today. They're going to um I asked for some specs. I need uh some updated specs on the the box going in and but anyways, tomorrow if 119 00:32:57.679 --> 00:33:13.840 everything looks good, we'll um my understanding is approved at town meeting. We can put the order in as long as the invoice comes in. is dated. The invoice is dated after July, which the truck is in. >> You can't accept it before July, >> right? And the truck is 20 weeks out there telling me anyways from the date 120 00:33:13.840 --> 00:33:30.880 of order. So that's, you know, it's a long way out. >> Yeah. So the we get the order in sooner. Great. Okay. And um we have authorization to proceed with the part as of July. >> Yes. So, we could probably that's part 121 00:33:30.880 --> 00:33:46.880 of what I wanted to talk to the town administrator about is getting that posted and um you know with hire data you know July 2nd whatever it is. >> Yeah. Okay. And that one is um we already have job description. >> Yeah. It's basically just the same job 122 00:33:46.880 --> 00:34:02.799 description as um a clerk's position. It's um but you know less hours. >> Yeah. Okay. Okay. So, we can proceed with that. We already talked about the other um hiring challenges. So hopefully this one won't be a hiring challenge. 123 00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:20.000 >> Do we have a plan for I I I'm just thinking if we don't hire a nurse to fill in for for Linda, what our plan is moving forward if we don't have a nurse. Well, the town was without a nurse for 124 00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:35.839 many years and they just didn't do their infectious disease reporting and stuff like that. >> Well, so we have coverage for that. like I have Maven coverage in case we don't fill the position right away. >> Can you um talk about what Maven is? >> So Maven is the state's infectious 125 00:34:35.839 --> 00:34:50.560 disease tracking and surveillance program. Um so when a resident gets, you know, Lyme disease and goes to the doctor, it gets reported through the Maven system. Uh the flu, you know, you get the flu, you go to the doctor, it gets reported into the system. It tracks 126 00:34:50.560 --> 00:35:07.359 all the infectious diseases. Um, but we're required to go into that system daily and check the cases and, you know, make sure we're aware of them and if there's any followup that goes along with that, we have to do that. Um, so 127 00:35:07.359 --> 00:35:23.359 one of the nurses in our grant group is going to cover that for us if we have a um >> gap >> gap in cover gap of a nurse. >> You're talking about from the collaborative. Yes, one of the nurses from the collaborative >> which we are very grateful to have that 128 00:35:23.359 --> 00:35:40.640 grant um to help provide some of that backup coverage. >> Right. So um it's pretty much some of the things that you know um like the you know the blood pressure clinics or the um home visits and stuff like that you know if there is a gap in coverage then 129 00:35:40.640 --> 00:35:56.640 we'll be lacking on that until we get somebody in house but the maven coverage will be taken care of. >> Okay. >> But we won't be able to do well we're not vaccines and things until we we're going to take responsibility for 130 00:35:56.640 --> 00:36:13.359 providing vaccines. Are you going to use collaborative for that? >> I'm hoping that, you know, when by the end middle to the end of September rolls around, we have a nurse in place and we'll be able to just kind of roll into that. We'll have to just kind of, you know, take that as, you know, come across that bridge when we get to it. 131 00:36:13.359 --> 00:36:30.400 >> Well, we have a lot of um uh I think we have solid arguments to make to the town administrator about the salary level to attract a qualified candidate. I mean, I just I was um I happened to be at an emergency vet 132 00:36:30.400 --> 00:36:46.800 facility today and they had a big sign about um you know, treat our staff with respect because everybody's suffering burnout. There's shortages in in you know, the veterinary industry as well, both vets and vet techs. Um so, everybody's running around and the same 133 00:36:46.800 --> 00:37:04.640 thing is true in the um medical community. It'll be hard to fill this position. Well, one of the one of the new topics that are popping up on in our conferences and our different things is uh public health uh workforce burnout and how to prevent that. So, um you 134 00:37:04.640 --> 00:37:20.240 know, a hot topic for them to start drawing attention to it. I think that part of it is going to be too how we communicate with the community about what how things are going to run until we hire a nurse because I know there are some people in the community that rely on Linda for 135 00:37:20.240 --> 00:37:37.119 regular phone calls and coming to the office for things like um blood pressures and and so I think that it's going to be really important how we'll communicate how things would be handled >> um in her absence if we don't find 136 00:37:37.119 --> 00:37:53.520 somebody. >> Sure. Yeah, we'll get get a better sense um after Matt's followed up with the town administrators to what flexibility we have. >> We do have an aging work for force too. I just keep thinking about that um then the number of people who have um are 137 00:37:53.520 --> 00:38:10.400 close to retirement if not would be retiring. So >> yeah, stresses on the existing workforce. >> That's right. >> Okay, it is uh 4:40. Um, so I'm going to turn our thoughts to um the hearing at 138 00:38:10.400 --> 00:38:27.119 4:40. Um, I will call that for um 147 East Cadman's Neck Road owned by Roland Sullivan. Uh, but this is a two-bedroom pair with a tight tank on a 24 thou 24 ft versus 50 foot to the well. This is 139 00:38:27.119 --> 00:38:42.880 on a 3,45t lawn. Northeast Engineering representing. Good afternoon. How are you guys doing? Um, please introduce yourself first. >> All right. I am Garrett Malampy, junior engineer at Northeast Engineers. 140 00:38:42.880 --> 00:39:01.680 >> Hi, Sean Lee, engineer at Northeast Engineers. >> Among other things, >> among other things for now today. >> Okay. Sorry, I might get caught up. >> Give you guys the >> Okay, you may begin your presentation. 141 00:39:01.680 --> 00:39:17.920 >> All right. Do you guys have a plan set or? >> Uh, we do. >> Okay, >> awesome. So, this is for 147 East Casmin. Um, the owner is proposing a 30,000galon holding tank. Um, 142 00:39:17.920 --> 00:39:34.560 in the vicinity of the front yard right here, um, right outside the deck. Um, it utilizes an ultra pump switch which has the enclosed floats already attached within it. Um we are uh asking for three different 143 00:39:34.560 --> 00:39:52.320 variances within the property itself. Uh the first one would be the um setback distance of 50 ft from the septic tank to the private well on Cadsman Neck. Um which we're asking for a reduction from 50 ft to 24.4 ft. Um the second variance 144 00:39:52.320 --> 00:40:09.599 that we're requesting is the setback distance from the property line um to the holding tank and this one would be from um Catsman neck to um the holding tank from 10 ft to 3.47 ft and then from 145 00:40:09.599 --> 00:40:29.680 Zion to the holding tank which is 3.56 ft. This this uh particular lot previously had an approved septic system in the front yard and the plan was to relocate the well to the rear yard. Unfortunately, when the well driller went out there, he didn't get enough 146 00:40:29.680 --> 00:40:47.520 portable water to make it worth it. So, we're looking at this is the only option that that's available basically and keep the existing. >> What's that? You said you were talking about the well, but I'm just looking at the results. The water itself right now 147 00:40:47.520 --> 00:41:03.880 would >> it's portable. It has an elevated nitrite level, but uh it's clear for bacteria and other things. It meets the requirement for an existing water. 148 00:41:05.040 --> 00:41:22.960 >> Okay. Well, it doesn't meet chemically. This water does not meet the maximum contamin level requirements as established by Commonwealth Massachusetts for drinking water. Nitrates in excess of a lot of material, >> right? Above 10, >> right? >> Right. >> So, it's really not um it's not 149 00:41:22.960 --> 00:41:38.720 >> so but it's the only option. I mean, it's an existing short uh shallow well in front of the house and then it's the only option for water for this particular house. It gets a lot so small. >> Okay. So this is from the existing well. 150 00:41:38.720 --> 00:41:55.760 Um I would certainly recommend that that um depending on the you know the inhabitants of the home, vulnerable elders, um infants um at risk of blue bottle syndrome, you know, those kinds of things from um excess nitrates that they consider 151 00:41:55.760 --> 00:42:11.119 bottled water for drinking and they can use the water for bathing and >> um dishwashing etc. But that would be my recommendation. I can't make that. >> That's probably what's going to happen. >> Okay. Um 152 00:42:11.119 --> 00:42:28.560 Okay. Sorry. Um let me turn to Matt for his um report. [snorts] >> So like Sean said, this is the best they can do with the constraints on the lot. The only thing is um is it possible just to because of the distance between the tank and the property line to just to 153 00:42:28.560 --> 00:42:43.839 stamp the surveyor stamp on these plans after >> uh these? >> Yes. >> The new plans. >> Oh, did you just bring them in with you? >> Yes. >> Oh, okay. Well, that's why I didn't see. >> No problem. >> All right. Um and I think maybe um you know cuz if I remember correctly, the 154 00:42:43.839 --> 00:42:58.960 system on this lot was unknown, right? Because it was >> there's access there was a cess poolool underneath the existing roadway actually. >> Correct. Yeah. Okay. On the existing roadway. So um >> took one less cess pool. >> Yeah. So um and um you know was the well 155 00:42:58.960 --> 00:43:15.760 in proximity to that cesspool? So maybe by you know after that cesspool's decommissioned with the tight tank maybe the the levels will normalize in the well. >> That would be a re yeah recommend. I won't make it a requirement but I recommend that they test the water 156 00:43:15.760 --> 00:43:31.280 >> you know in 6 months or so. Is this a summer residence or is this >> is it's going to maintain a summer residence? >> I'm hoping to make an idea at home. >> Okay. >> Oh, sorry. I should have asked. Um and you did mention them. >> Yeah. >> Um so you heard the 157 00:43:31.280 --> 00:43:45.680 >> Yeah. And we haven't been drinking the water years. >> Oh, good. >> Makes me feel better. >> And we had exhaust and I even asked my neighbor if I could fill my well on on his property and he turned that down. So we just exhausted, 158 00:43:45.680 --> 00:44:03.040 >> right? Yes. But it may be because the existing um >> my neighbors all have a lot of different >> Yeah. So it may be that >> I believe it's that and the runoff there might be a runoff issue with the way it's pitched towards the well itself. So there might be a couple things that can 159 00:44:03.040 --> 00:44:18.160 be corrected here. >> So hopefully that the replacement of the um septic system will include your waterfall and we'll recommend that you check that with followup testing. Um okay. Um, is there going to be a I know 160 00:44:18.160 --> 00:44:36.000 it has an alarm on it, but is there going to be a pumping plan for how often there is a requirement? >> There's an on and plan on plan with the septic system. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. 161 00:44:36.000 --> 00:44:52.960 And there were a number of abutters to >> correct. >> Yes. >> As typical with cabinets now. Yeah. >> Are there any butterers present? >> You would know. >> Okay. Um, so they have any concerns to 162 00:44:52.960 --> 00:45:08.800 express. >> Uh, no. I know there's a number of variances, so I'll try to get those correct. All right. So, I move that we approve. Is it Well, you have a plan. Is that Is it the same date on that plan 163 00:45:08.800 --> 00:45:24.800 that has the surveyor on it? Yeah, the updated plans they just handed us have this up the survey standpoint. >> Yeah, but what's the date on it? What's the date? >> Oh, what's the date on that those? >> We have to reference that. So, >> um >> Oh, speaking from the same page, 164 00:45:24.800 --> 00:45:46.319 >> revision date April 17th, 26. >> Oh, that's it with the surveyor stand. >> All right. So, I move that we approve the plan for 147E Cadmin's Neck Road um dated 41726. um for a placement of a tight tank 165 00:45:46.319 --> 00:46:01.040 um with the following variances. Reduction to the well from um 50 ft at 147E to 24.4 ft. Reduction from the property line 166 00:46:01.040 --> 00:46:18.160 from 10 ft to 3.58 ft for the holding tank to Zion Avenue and 3.4 47 ft from the cabinet from the cat men's neck tank with the following conditions. A 167 00:46:18.160 --> 00:46:35.040 twobedroom deed restriction and a hold harmless agreement >> and the um the plan for pumping and m >> compliance with >> and do we want the testing we do do we recommend the testing or is that a 168 00:46:35.040 --> 00:46:51.280 condition? >> I would recommend the testing in six months just so they can get an idea of you know to see if it >> six months after installation. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> To see if it improves at all. >> We already have a deed restriction from the previous approval for the septic system. Do we need to change that? 169 00:46:51.280 --> 00:47:07.440 >> No. >> No. >> With number of bedrooms. So, >> no. As long as >> restriction. Okay. >> Okay. We'll accept the existing de restriction. >> Um Okay. I will second that. >> Hang on, Tanya. >> Oh, sorry. I have a question. Sure. In 170 00:47:07.440 --> 00:47:23.520 the prior approval, um, we had submitted something to me to have my neighbors wells tested like for the next three years and I had prepaid that. So, is that still ongoing based on >> Yes. Yes. So, that that's still >> Are all the wells um are there any wells 171 00:47:23.520 --> 00:47:39.359 less than 100 ft from >> just about all? >> Just all of them. >> Well, I shouldn't say just about all, but there's three of them, right, that are less than 100 ft >> from the Yeah, we don't have that. Um, >> but it is a tight tank. >> Yeah. Can I um can I can can I get back to you on that? >> Okay. 172 00:47:39.359 --> 00:47:57.520 >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And there has their how is their well testing come back? >> They all came they were all approved. >> They were all fine. They were all >> okay. >> Um so that motion has been made and 173 00:47:57.520 --> 00:48:21.280 seconded. Sorry. Um um all in favor >> I >> I That's unanimous. Two to nothing with one absence. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um we have a 450 p.m. hearing for 128 Old Bedford Road. The owner is Pro 174 00:48:21.280 --> 00:48:36.319 Home Buyers. This is um sensibly a five bedroomedroom repair with a stone bid on a 27,000 and sixt lot represented by Outback Engineering. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. I'm Jack Sergeant with 175 00:48:36.319 --> 00:48:54.079 Outback Engineering and we are uh requesting three uh local upgrades for uh 128 Old Bedford Road. Uh we're asking to reduce the minimum groundwater separation from 43 4T to 3 ft. Um we're 176 00:48:54.079 --> 00:49:10.240 the uh septic system is going to be a pump system and this will just reduce the uh mound that will be there and will help with the uh grading of the lot. And uh we're also asking for a uh civ analysis in lie of a perk test uh the uh 177 00:49:10.240 --> 00:49:24.720 depth of the perkable soil and where the uh groundwater was. We weren't able to perform a perk out in the field. And we are also asking to allow um excuse me to allow the uh 12 inch separation between 178 00:49:24.720 --> 00:49:40.800 inlet and outlet T's and um high groundwater and uh to and we're going to have uh all the boots or pipe joints to be sealed with uh hydraulic cement >> as usual. Okay. 179 00:49:40.800 --> 00:49:58.079 All right. Thank you. Um um I think we have some questions on this, but I'm going to first turn to Matt. >> I'm going to turn it to Donna. >> You're going to turn to me. >> Yes. It's like I'm just going to keep turning it. >> So I have a lot of concerns about the fact that this is being reported as a 180 00:49:58.079 --> 00:50:14.319 fivebedroom. However, in the assessment, it's a threebedroom. And I have a hard time approving anything unless I know what's happening and why this is a five bedroomedroom when the the um assessor's office has it as a 181 00:50:14.319 --> 00:50:29.040 threebedroom. >> Um >> it seems like we're increasing the flow by putting it to five. >> I am not cuz it was designed as a five bedroomedroom. 182 00:50:29.040 --> 00:50:56.480 Uh I'm not sure the exact answer to why assessors has three and we have it as five. Um here they have it. >> It's the it's the perfect um square footage for a threebedroom but not a 183 00:50:56.480 --> 00:51:13.119 five bedroomedroom. Yeah, I do not have a answer right now to why we have it as five. And >> um one of the reasons that would be a concern is we have a local septic regulation um that requires for new construction uh a denitrifying septic 184 00:51:13.119 --> 00:51:27.599 system. Okay. >> You're adding flow. increasing pressure um not literal pressure but on the um water quality and and ground water drinking groundwater um um because of the affluent from from the septic 185 00:51:27.599 --> 00:51:46.000 system. So um I think we need to clarify that. >> Okay, >> we can send someone out to do a bedroom count. Um and but I'm I would um agree with Don. I don't think we can proceed without clarification on that. Um 186 00:51:46.000 --> 00:52:04.720 um and we don't um let me look at the plan. Do we have the existing um conditions? Can you walk us through that? Um, we don't have existing conditions on 187 00:52:04.720 --> 00:52:22.960 a separate sheet, but um, the existing conditions is uh, >> there's a septic system. It looks like >> Yeah, septic system on the other side of the uh, above ground pool there in the backyard uh, with a tank going to it. uh 188 00:52:22.960 --> 00:52:41.200 that the tank is will be uh excavated and removed and the um existing uh sept septic system will be abandoned um with compliance with uh title five and board of health. >> Um but you don't have any um 189 00:52:41.200 --> 00:53:09.119 you don't like uh based based on your research do you know if it's [clears throat] was a five bed design or three design? I do have the existing. >> Uh I have I have an existing one. It's 190 00:53:09.119 --> 00:53:26.880 actually says that it's a uh sixbedroom apartment house. >> Sixbedroom apartment. So, I think what we'll do is um we'll call we'll reach out to the property owner and set up a bedroom count or we can run it through your office. How how would you prefer? 191 00:53:26.880 --> 00:53:43.720 >> Uh probably the property owner. >> Okay. We'll reach out directly to the property owner and get a bedroom count to get a better idea of what's happening. >> Okay. >> It's also the square footage is different than from what I had. 192 00:53:50.880 --> 00:54:07.359 So the uh square footage of the lot it's less our plan show less than the assessors due to um route uh 195 is right here and uh a portion of the lot was taken when they were doing 193 00:54:07.359 --> 00:54:23.200 195. Um okay. Um because you know that also contributes to the concern a 27,000 foot lot would not normally support a five- bedroomedroom >> design. So um um 194 00:54:23.200 --> 00:54:40.960 so why don't we my recommendation is that we continue this. Um our next available date is June 8th. Is that acceptable? Uh well, so I can we'll get our work done. Um it's just a matter of what we 195 00:54:40.960 --> 00:54:57.119 find and then, you know, back and forth with the engineers and the owners to see what they could do. We could pencil you in for June 8th at 440. Uh >> okay. >> 450. But um but if we need to continue it again, we can. >> Yeah. 196 00:54:57.119 --> 00:55:12.640 >> Um if we can't, but >> there's it gives you a chunk of time to get this all straightened out. If there's if there is straightening up, let me give you this. Um, actually, do we have this a copy of this exist? I mean, is this an extra copy? >> Uh, not I can 197 00:55:12.640 --> 00:55:26.960 >> we have it on our uh computer that we can get. >> I mean, if you don't mind, I I would like to move on to that. Um, we should have it in our files. Um, probably not as far advanced technologically and having it scanned. 198 00:55:26.960 --> 00:55:43.680 Um Um, okay. So, um, >> so do we have a time on the meeting? >> 450. >> That's You're okay with that for now? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, I move that we continue um to 199 00:55:43.680 --> 00:56:00.079 review the plan on 128 Old Bedford Road um on June 8th at 4:50 p.m. >> I'll second that motion. All in favor? >> I Yes. unanimous. Two to nothing with one absence. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate I think 200 00:56:00.079 --> 00:56:17.480 I said um uh to contact the owner. Uh I think actually uh if you would be able to contact our office to for the bedroom instead. >> Yes, no problem. >> Okay. Thanks for coming in. 201 00:56:17.520 --> 00:56:35.280 >> Okay. We talked about topics for next regular meeting. Nothing anticipated unanticipated. Again, our next regular meeting will be June 8th, 2026 um at 4 p.m. Um you have anything else you want to know? 202 00:56:35.280 --> 00:56:51.119 I was here for Mid City, but then I saw that address and I was curious as to what was going on over there. >> Okay, >> that's all. So, I was just curious. >> Okay. >> But it was the it was a threebedroom all my life and that's they look they have 203 00:56:51.119 --> 00:57:11.440 an apartment now. people and then they lost the house but we back to the um guy that purchased it from and yeah they added the big edition in the back. So I don't know what 204 00:57:11.440 --> 00:57:27.440 >> okay >> but I was just curious when I saw the address. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> So is that something um that we would check with building to see if >> Yes, I'll check with that. It probably predates permanized. So I'll have to go physically ask for the records. 205 00:57:27.440 --> 00:57:45.680 >> Yeah, I suspect [clears throat] they did a lot of expansion >> without getting system although I'll take a motion to adjurnn. >> Okay. Um, being no further business, I 206 00:57:45.680 --> 00:58:01.880 move that we adjourn this meeting at 5:01 p.m. Second. All in favor? >> I. >> I. That's unanimous. Nothing with one absence. Thank you very much, everyone.