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Blackstone Board of Health Grants Hardship Exemption for 39 Elm Street Sewer Tie-In
Summary
The Town of Blackstone Board of Health approved a hardship exemption to its sewer-tie requirement for 39 Elm Street after the property owner and buyer described unexpected costs and a passed Title 5 inspection; the board agreed to revisit the townregulation at its next meeting.
The Town of Blackstone Board of Health voted to grant a hardship exemption to the town—s mandatory sewer hookup requirement for 39 Elm Street during its meeting, after the owner and a prospective buyer described unexpectedly high connection costs and recent Title 5 test results.
The decision came after Pat Haslett, who said he lives at 39 Elm Street, explained he was unaware of the town—s mandatory sewer hookup requirement when he bought the house five years ago and, with a pending sale scheduled for March 14, said installing a connection would require tearing up landscaping and a driveway and could require roughly 350 to 400 feet of sewer run. "When Pat bought the property back 5 years ago... there was really no recognition or representation by any of the parties to Pat that there was a sewer requirement," Haslett said.
The board noted the property had passed Title 5 inspection on May 30, 2023. After discussion, a board member moved to grant the hardship exemption; another board member seconded the motion and the board voted in favor.
Nut graf: The exemption temporarily relieves the owner of the town—s mandatory tie-in requirement while the board reviews its septic/sewer regulation. Board members said the broader regulation will be revisited at the next meeting, and that future decisions could change the town—s requirements for properties that pass Title 5 inspections.
Board members and town staff discussed how the rule has been applied and signaled a policy review. Dave Peripoli, who identified himself as the purchaser of the property, asked for clarification about whether a passing Title 5 inspection would eliminate the need to tie into town sewer. A town representative clarified that the current regulation requires tie-in where the line runs by the property unless Title 5 provides an alternate finding; they said the board would review the regulation at the next meeting and it could remain the same or be changed.
The board also noted logistical matters for closing: Haslett said he is scheduled to close on March 14 and wanted confirmation that the exemption would not block the sale. Board members told Haslett and the buyer the exemption was granted and encouraged them to attend the next meeting if they wished to follow the regulatory review.
Ending: The board scheduled a full review of the town's septic/sewer regulation for its next meeting; officials said they would not presume the rule will change but will discuss possible revisions then.
