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Nantucket Board of Health gives 90 days to seek alternatives for 49 Pappas Road sewer tie‑in
Summary
The Board of Health continued a variance decision for 49 Pappas Road to its April 16 meeting, asking the owner to explore alternative tie‑in or pumping options and to return with engineering or cost estimates; staff emphasized regulations require sewer connection when a line fronts a property in environmentally sensitive districts.
The Nantucket Board of Health on Jan. 15 gave the owner of 49 Pappas Road 90 days to pursue alternatives to a full sewer tie‑in, continuing the matter to the board’s April 16 meeting.
The homeowner, Inez Hutton, told the board she has limited income and that a Tuscana estimate to connect and install a Barnes duplex pump was about $125,976.93. “I’m not gonna be able to afford it. I’m not gonna be able to stay in my house,” Hutton said, describing the financial strain and asking whether annual pumping or a neighbor tie‑in could be considered.
Andrew Shapiro, the town’s environmental contamination administrator, told the board the town’s sewer‑tie regulation is unambiguous: “If the sewer does come in front of your home, you are required to tie in and there are no variances to be granted in environmentally sensitive areas.” Board members said they were sympathetic to Hutton’s circumstances but worried about precedent in the Harbor Protection District.
After discussion the board voted to continue the case to the April 16 meeting with direction that the applicant bring concrete alternative plans to consider — for example, an engineering estimate for a pumped lateral, written permission from neighbors if a connection is being explored, or other cost comparisons. One board member suggested seeking a second contractor estimate to verify scope and cost.
Why it matters: The Pappas Road parcel sits inside a designated harbor‑protection/water‑sensitive district, where local rules prioritize groundwater and harbor protection. The board said it will require evidence that any alternate plan still protects those environmental receptors.
What’s next: The applicant will report back at the April 16 Board of Health meeting with engineering or cost proposals; the board said that if no viable alternative is presented by then, it will move toward denial and require the property to comply with the sewer‑tie mandate.
Provenance: Topic introduced SEG 357; continued motion and voting discussion SEG 1057–1096 and SEG 1078–1094; continuation motion text and confirmation SEG 1078–1084, SEG 1097–1103.
