Town of Hingham
Board of Health Meeting
OCTOBER 19, 2011
A 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 7:12pm.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Peter Bickford, Chairman
Kirk Shilts, D.C., Member
Stephan White, Member
STAFF PRESENT
Bruce Capman, R.S., Executive Health Officer
AGENDA
Mr. Capman reviewed the posted agenda with the Board.
Thereafter, the meeting's agenda was accepted with additions.
SEPTIC VARIANCE REQUEST:
22 TOWERBROOK ROAD
The Board reviewed a homeowner request for a variance from State Title 5 and Hingham Supplemental (septic) Regulations relative to an existing failed septic system.
Applicant spokesperson: Darren Grady
The Board reviewed the following documents:
• Report from Mr. Capman dated 10/18/11.
The Board discussed the following issues:
• The lot contains an existing 3-bedroom dwelling.
• The proposal includes the use of an innovative technology system.
• The proposal appears to represent maximum feasible compliance.
Thereafter, a Motion was made by Mr. White and Seconded by Dr. Shilts and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To grant a single variance from State Title-5 regulations, 15.240(1); three (3) variances from the Hingham Supplemental (septic) Rules and Regulations sections VI.9, VI.12(a) & VI.6; and conditional to the twelve (12) conditions outlined in Mr. Capman's 10/18/11 report.
PRIVATE WELL VARIANCE REQUEST
23 LIBERTY POLE ROAD
Mr. James O'Neil filed an application to the Board requesting variances from the Hingham Board of Health Private Water Supply Regulations concerning the proposed instillation of a closed-loop geothermal well.
Applicant spokesperson: Joshua Caplan
The following documents were reviewed:
• Report from Mr. Capman dated 10/13/11
• Well Permit and Variance applications (undated)
• Correspondence from Excel Energy Solutions (3-page)(undated)
• Letter from Eugene Brunelle, MA DEP to Mr. O'Neil (undated)
• MA DEP "Guidelines for Ground Source Heat Pump Wells" dated March 2009
• MA DEP "Underground Injection Control Program" (UIC) 2009 Guidelines
The following issues were discussed:
• The DEP incorrectly registered this well application as an "Open" Loop-Geothermal Well where it is actually a "Closed" Loop-Geothermal Well.
• The closed-loop geothermal well contains food-grade antifreeze held within a High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe that is reportedly almost a half-inch in wall thickness.
• Ground temperatures below 10-feet are reportedly a constant 52 along the entire depth of the well.
• The Board reviewed with the applicant the seven responsibilities delineated under section 3.0 of the UIC guidelines.
• The project lists a certified well driller and a certified geothermal unit installer.
• The requested variances address set back issues to the homeowner's own septic system and to his residence.
Thereafter, a Motion was made by Dr. Shilts and Seconded by Mr. White and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To grant two (2) Variances from section 7.03 of the Hingham Board of Health Private Water Supply Regulations relative to the installation of a closed-loop geothermal well, conditional that: (1) the geothermal well is recorded within the appropriate Registry of Deeds and/or Land Registration Office and a registry stamped copy of this notice is provided to the BoH within 30-days of its recording, (2) the homeowner promptly notify the BoH should the geothermal system become inactive, and (3) the BoH is in receipt of a letter from the MA DEP containing a corrected UIC registration number.
SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATE
HINGHAM COMPREHENSIVE WASTEWATER MASTER PLAN (CWMP)
Dr. Shilts, who serves as the Board's representative on the CWMP committee, notified the Board that the CWMP committee has completed its task and forwarded a completed CWMP for the Town of Hingham to the DEP for review. The plan does not include expanding public sewers within any residential or commercial region in Hingham other than the commercially zoned area around the Derby St. / Route 3 interchange. It recommends that the Pond Park Office Park and adjacent areas south of Route 3 become incorporated into a new sewer district (accomplished during the 2010 Town Meeting) to be served by a proposed 150,000g/d decentralized sewage treatment plant (discussed during the 2011 Town Meeting). The undeveloped areas just north of route 3 will also be included within the newly established sewer district but its own 150,000g/d of potential effluent may be considered as a future phase-two involving an expansion of the above-mentioned treatment plant or on-site disposal. The plan additionally suggests the development and publicizing of septic system maintenance recommendations and techniques to enhance proper functioning and the longevity of on-site septic systems in Hingham.
Thereafter, the Board asked Mr. Capman to develop a list of septic system best practices designed to enhance septic system functioning and longevity.
EXECUTIVE HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT:
Proposed Waste Stream Recycling & Dumpster Regulations
Mr. Capman provided the Board with information from Health Agent Rowe that included examples of recycling and dumpster regulations in other Massachusetts jurisdictions. Mr. Capman noted that current State regulations and Town of Hingham bylaw concerning recycling are principally directed toward protecting the receiving landfill rather than focused on the residents and businesses generating the waste. The Board discussed the differences between having a single comprehensive regulation, separate recycling and dumpster regulations or changes to the existing Hingham bylaw.
Thereafter, the Board gave direction to Mr. Capman.
MA Department of Public Health, Public Water Supply Fluoridation
Mr. Capman reviewed an 8/1/11 letter from Lynn Bethel, Director of Oral Health, regarding Aquarion Water Co.'s 2010 water fluoridation program. The Board renewed the discussion, began in March, regarding the issue of excessive fluoridation and the federal government's recent lowering of the recommended water supply fluoride level. Mr. Capman said he spoke to former Aquarion employee Robert Roland about six month ago, but was unsure if Aquarion had changed their fluoridation procedures in response to the new federal guideline stating that fluoride levels should not exceed 0.7miligrams/liter of water.
Thereafter, the Board gave direction to Mr. Capman regarding his drafting a written correspondence.
MINUTES
The Board reviewed the minutes of the 9/21/11 public meeting.
Thereafter, a Motion was made by Mr. White and Seconded by Mr. Bickford and it was VOTED (with Dr. Shilts abstaining);
To approve the minutes of September 21, 2011 as amended.
SCHEDULING
The next meeting of the Hingham Board of Health was scheduled for Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 7pm.
ADJOURNMENT
The October 19, 2011 meeting of the Hingham Board of Health adjourned at 8:36pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kirk Shilts, D.C.
Hingham Board of Health