Lincoln Board of Health
Meeting Minutes
April 9, 2003
PRESENT: Frederick Mansfield, M.D., Chairman
Arnold Weinberg, M.D.
Diane Haessler
Michael Moore, Agent
Elaine Carroll, Secretary
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Previous Minutes The minutes from the March 5, 2003 meeting were approved as written.
Septic System Review:
Lot 6 Storey Drive This is a continuation of a hearing held by the Board in February. The applicant is requesting a variance from Title 5 to construct septic system components less than 200 feet from a tributary to surface water supply. Bruce Ey of Schofield Brothers brought in two sets of plans for the Board s review. The first plan put the leaching field in the front corner of the lot and would require cutting the trees along the abutter s lot line and the front lot line and is a somewhat unique design, which Mr. Ey was not completely comfortable. The second plan is the original plan, which will require variances to Title 5 and is the plan that the applicant prefers to use. The petitioner is asking the Board to grant the following variances to Title 5.
To construct the following septic components less than 200 feet away from a tributary to a surface water
supply, which is prohibited by 310 CMR 15.211(1):
(1) Septic tank is 145 feet away, and
(2) Leaching facility is 154 feet away
Ed Lechtenberg, an abutter, did not want the first plan because it was too close to his lot line and it would require too many trees removed. He was also against the second plan because it was too close to the steam and could create pollution to the stream. Another abutter, Mrs. Clark, said that she would prefer to see it used as conservation land and not have a building on it. Mr. Lechtenberg also asked if the City of Cambridge had been consulted because of closeness to their water supply. Mike Moore said that he did not think that the City of Cambridge had to sign off on it but that they would want to be consulted. After a brief discussion, a motion was made to grant the variances as requested with the stipulation that Mike Moore will write and call the City of Cambridge asking if there is any
objection to these variances. He will give them 21 days from the date of the letter to respond with any objections. The motion passed 3-0.
4 Hawk Hill Road The system designer reports that this system “failed Title 5 inspection” and proposes to add a second septic tank and a new d-box and leaching bed. Even with the requested variances, there will be a leaching mound, which is 2.5 feet high on the lower end. At the last meeting, the Board asked the system designer to address concerns raised by neighbors by showing what a system would look like without local variances. The petitioner is asking the Board to grant two variances from its local regulations:
1) To construct a leaching facility with 6 inches of base aggregate below the distribution pipes, instead
of 12 inches as required by local amendment to 310 CMR 15.247(3).
2) To construct a leaching bed or field, which is prohibited by local amendment to 310 CMR 15.252(1).
Mr. Guernsey brought in both designs. The septic system needing no variances would mean cutting down more trees, additional cost and disturbance of natural landscape. Paul Traverse, the closest abutter and the only abutter to be present at this meeting, said that he would prefer that the Board grant the variances, which would be less intrusive to him as an abutter. After a brief discussion, a motion was made to grant the variances as requested. The motion passed 3-0.
Food Establishments:
Pepper s Fine Food Catering The applicant is sub-contractor working with the Junior League of Boston to serve food under a big tent for 5 weeks starting on April 15. The Junior League is decorating the inside of the Noah Brooks Tavern at 33 North Great Road, which is owned by Minuteman National Park to be used as a Designers Showcase House. The Board hearing is an attempt to sort out the chaos that is currently swirling through this whole project. The petitioner is asking the Board to grant one variance from the Food Code:
To operate a temporary food establishment for more than 14 days, which is prohibited by
105 CMR 590.012(D.)
Joe DiCicco came before the Board to discuss this operation. He said that there would be a sink and an electric water heater to use for sanitizing hands and possibly any ladles, which may need cleaning. They will be using paper plates and plastic utensils. They will not be washing the cooking pots on the premises. The pots will come in full and leave empty. There will be a refrigerated truck on the premises and grills to cook non-protein foods. A motion was made to grant the variance as requested with the stipulation that Mike Moore make spot check to insure that everything is being done properly. The motion passed 3-0.
Other Business:
Cell Towers Dr. Weinberg reported that he was asked to do some research on the hazards of living close to a cell tower. He has obtained quite a bit of material and will make a report to the Board at the next meeting and possibly have something prepared for the Lincoln Journal.
Flu Vaccine The State will continue to provide flu vaccine to local Boards of Health but at a 20% reduction from the previous year. The Boards can obtain additional vaccine if needed but at a higher rate than last year. Lincoln will not purchase any additional vaccine but will go with what the State provides, which should be enough to provide to the Council on Aging.
Rabies Clinic The 2003 Rabies clinic was held on April 5th at the Town Offices. Dr. Betsy Johnson vaccinated six dogs and nine cats.
Bills Paid 2 bills paid: Commonwealth of Mass., East Middlesex Mosquito Control for $2,500.00 and Eliot Community Human Services for $2,500.00.
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There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. The next meeting will be held on May 14, 2003.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine M. Carroll
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