Septic repair for 66 Shannon Street withdrawn after water-main requirement explained

An application to repair a failed septic system at 66 Shannon Street in Fall River was withdrawn during the Board of Health's May 28, 2025, meeting after staff explained the board could only approve a plan that connected the home to a proposed extension of the municipal water main.

Mister Aguiar, a board staff member presenting the item, told the board the applicant's engineer had shown a proposed water-line extension on the plan and that the board's approval was contingent on connection to that municipal main. "This board cannot act on the plan that's being presented today because that a new well has not been contemplated," Aguiar told the meeting.

Property owner Russell Petty said he and his partner could not afford to extend the water main to the property and described the city as telling them they would be responsible for installation. "It's probably gonna cost well over $20,000 to do that," Petty said. Aguiar described alternatives the owners could pursue, including submitting a revised plan to show a new private well or installing a tight tank — a sealed holding tank that would require regular pumping — if a water-line extension proved infeasible.

Before the property owners decided to withdraw, Aguiar outlined conditions the board would require if it approved a plan connected to the municipal main: the existing dwelling must be connected to the proposed extended water main as shown on the plan; approval by the Fall River Water Department is required; a one‑bedroom deed restriction must be recorded at the Fall River Registry of Deeds; and no septic installation work may take place until the water-service connection work is completed, inspected and approved.

After discussing options, the Pettys said they had just learned of the water-department position and did not agree to bear the cost; they asked to withdraw the application for now. The board recorded the withdrawal and advised the owners to work with their engineer and return with a revised plan if they choose to pursue either a private well application or a revised municipal-connection plan.

No formal approval or variance was granted at the meeting; the item ended with the applicant withdrawing the current plan. The board noted applicants may return with a revised plan that contemplates either a private well or the required municipal connection and associated approvals.