Members Present: Jane Roberts, Gretchen Wittenborg, Jack Ernst, Steve Filipi and Cathy Davis.
Others present: Mike Methe, Selectmen’s representative and Sue Wood, alternate.
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM
Case # 08-06: Tom Forest, Forest Designs, application for an Area Variance to install a new septic system within the WPOD for the Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, whose property is located at 76 Keene Avenue, Map 23, Lot 20, Rural District.
With the agreement of the applicant, Wittenborg moved, Ernst seconded and the Board voted to continue the public hearing to 7:30 PM so the Board could attend the conclusion of a DES workshop on the Comprehensive Shoreline Protection Act in the Upper Hall.
The Board was seated and the public hearing was continued at 7:30 PM.
Mr. Forest presented a summary of his application for Mr. and Mrs. Harrison seeking an Area Variance to install a new septic system within the 75 foot setback from wetlands and the lake. Mr. Forest said he was contacted by the Harrison’s because their septic system was no longer adequate for their needs. They wish to install a dishwasher and clothes washer, and they rent the property in the summers. They also plan to drill a new well.
A state approved septic plan drawn by Mr. Hagstrom has expired. The new system will be installed in a slightly different location and the leach field will be elevated to avoid the high water table found 18 inches below the surface. The lot is long and narrow, with the lake shoreline on one side, a stream and associated wetlands on another side. There are setbacks from boundary lines on three sides.
The septic plan includes the leach field, to be placed in the former driveway area, which will be raised to avoid the high water table using enviro-septic piping. Mr. Forest says this piping has been well tested and is used around lakes. The system is sized to serve a three bedroom house.
Barbara Green, co-chair of the Conservation Commission attended and noted that the Laurel Lake Association regularly conducts water testing in the area and has found elevated levels of e coli in the stream. She could not say if the contamination was from this site.
Mr. Filipi said that if the system is in failure, then no permits re needed, but since it is a new system, DES should be involved.
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