Board approves septic and solid-waste permits, keeps revocation option open

The Town of Blackstone Board of Health voted to approve a septic permit and a separate solid-waste permit for a local applicant after a brief discussion about whether the applicant was operating a transfer station. Board members approved both permits by voice vote and said they would monitor the operation and revoke approvals if evidence of improper transfer-station activity emerges.

Board members flagged the solid-waste work after review of documents and a short discussion of available video. "I'm curious to know if he's running a transfer station like it's been reported," said Speaker 1, summing up the concern. Speaker 2 told the board they had spoken with the applicant and said the applicant "was working on the truck" when the footage was taken but that the video did not clearly show destination receipts or materials handling.

The board discussed but did not require proof of where trash was being taken; Speaker 4 asked whether the applicant had provided receipts or documentation of disposal destinations. Speaker 3 noted the board does not typically require destination receipts but agreed monitoring would be appropriate. Several members emphasized the board retains authority to revoke approvals if the operation is not consistent with the permits.

On procedure, a motion was made and the board approved the septic permit, then separately approved the solid-waste permit by voice vote. The transcript records the motions and the board's verbal "ayes," but does not record a roll-call vote or named tallies.

Next steps: staff will keep an eye on the applicant's operations and the board said it could revoke the solid-waste approval should evidence of an unauthorized transfer station surface.