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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-01-16192 Manor sewer BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING January 16, 1953 A regular meeting of the Board of Health was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Friday afternoon, January 16, 1953 at 3:00 P. M. Chairman McQuillan and Dr. Cosgrove were present. Mr. Jadkson, Health Sanitarian, and the Agent were also present. A report of progress was received from Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, in regard to the list of names submitted to him as being owners in the so- called Manor section who had not made any reply to the Board's letter relative to sewer connections in that area. A copy of letter from Cosmos DeBonis, 267 Lowell Street, to Department of Public Works, was received in which he complained about the garbage collection. Complaint The Agent was instructed to inform the Selectmen and advise Mr. DeBonis that garbage collection is en- tirely under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen. The Chairman suggested, and Dr. Cosgrove agreed, that the Planning Board be informed that the Board of Health would like a joint meeting to discuss the subject of subdivisions which may be submitted in the near future for the Board's approval in regard to sanitary facilities. The Board felt that the number of subdivisions is getting ahead of any sewer program and that a study should be made in an effort to prepare for the future. It was further agreed to meet with the Selectmen in regard to the possibility of having a survey made by some reputable engineering firm relative to future sanitary facilities. The Board noted in Mr. Jackson's monthly report that one sample of cream taken from Mr. Cummings' plant had a high bacteria count. Cummings The Chairman checked the reports for the months of October, November and December and found that Cummings had high bacteria counts for these three months and recommended that Mr. Cummings be advised that the con- ditions must be definitely cleared up. Mr. Jackson's report showed that a registered Overflowing letter sent to Mrs. Annie Katkoff, owner of the house cesspool at 475 Waltham Street, in regard to an overflowing cesspool was returned unclaimed. The Chairman suggested that the occupant of the house be requested to remedy the condition or the Board of Health would be obliged to take some action. At 4:00 P. M. Mr. DeVries, developer of the so- called Wellington Farm (Sullivan), met with the Board and submitted a report of Whitman and Howard, engineer- ing firm, in regard to sanitary sewage disposal facili- ties in the development. The Chairman informed Mr. DeVries that the Board approved the plan as submitted; the Board reserving the right to approve each individual lot. Mr. DeVries retired at 4:10 P. M. Dr Cosgrove also left the meeting. Mr. R. Coman Savoye, 74 Simonds Road, met with the Board in regard to connecting to the Manor sewer system. He told the Board that he never received any letter advising that he would have to connect. He stated that when the occasion came up that he had to consider some connection this summer, due to the fact that he was hav- ing a little flow from his septic tank, he called the Town Hall. He said that Mr. Harrington went up and he also had two plumbers figure it. He stated that he has a finished playroom in his cellar and to connect to the sewer will mean tearing up the floor because he has been advised that the plumbing will have to be relocated. Mr. Harrington quoted a figure of $300 and Mr. Savoye told him he would have something else done at a cost of $125. He said that if there was an order that everyone connect to the sewer Mr. Harrington should have known about it. The Chairman explained that the letters were sent out last February and Mr. Savoye said that he did not receive any notice so he proceeded to have "this done"' and had a chimney put on it at a cost of $115. He said that before he signed the petition for the sewer, which he thought was necessary for people having trouble with cesspools and septic tanks, he asked if it meant he would have to connect, because he knew his cellar situation, and he was told that it would not be necessary unless he were having trouble. Mr. Savoys described the action of the Board as being totalitarian. He said that he has an oversized septic tank that is 12' long by 4' wide and 3' in depth and further that he has not had any trouble. He said that in his opinion it is a high handed sit- uation to ask a man to spend $400 or $500 plus ruining a playroom. The Chairman said that Mr. Savoye was the first and only person to make any objection. Some of the people have agreed to connect in the Spring and some have asked for a little more time, but no one else has questioned the Board's right or authority. 193 DeVries Savoye re. sewer connectioi 194 Mr. Savoye said that there is no question but that the Board has absolute authority and what he is questioning is what he thinks is a high handed attitude. The Chairman explained that people who were not having any difficulty with cesspools or septic tanks have connected and that when a sewer is in- stalled in any town, it is a modern public health way to dispose of sewage; that is why sewers are built. He explained that the sewer was not con- structed in the Manor merely because four or five individuals out of a hundred families had cesspools that were overflowing. Mr. Savoye said that he was told at the time the sewer was installed that he would not have to connect and the Chairman said that the Board of Health never made any such statement. The Chairman said that it would have been better for Mr. Savoye to connect with the sewer when he spent the $115 to have his septic tank cleaned out and that he is the only one who claims not to have received any notice from the Board of Health. He explained that the Board has been trying in a friendly way to have. all the houses in the Manor connect to the public sewer system. Mr. Savoye said that he appreciated the Board's position but that he would not break the cellar floor unless he is forced to by law. He said that if the Board could find some other way for him to hook in, then he and the Board could start talking, but that he is not going to ruin his playroom and take the chance of having a wet cellar. floor. The Chairman said that the Board would discuss the subject with the Engineering Department and that he would also discuss it with the other members of the Board. The meeting adjourned at 5:15 PL M. A true record, Attest; Agent 1