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Resident tells Select Board manufactured-home slabs and septic installed close to his property line
Summary
A Northfield resident raised concerns that new manufactured-home slabs and a septic tank were installed about 8 feet from his property line; the town said the zoning administrator inspected the site, wastewater setbacks fall under the DEC, and letters were sent to the property owner initiating enforcement.
A Northfield resident told the Select Board he discovered stakes and later saw slabs, a septic tank and truckloads of gravel placed on an adjacent parcel on Route 12 and that one of the property owners, he said, told him, "I don't get permits." The resident said he measured the slab at about 8 feet from his property line and believed a 10-foot setback applies.
The resident, identified during the meeting as Mike Hamptick, said he had registered a fence with the town and placed his fence three feet back from his property line. He expressed concern about resale value and potential costs if a nearby septic system failed; he said he was told by another person a new septic design could cost "$100,000." He said he reported the development to the town in August and felt the town's response took months.
Town staff and board members said zoning staff had visited. The board chair noted the town had sent letters to property owner Randy Rouleau on Jan. 16, Jan. 30 and Feb. 6 as part of an enforcement process. Select Board members and staff said the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regulates wastewater/septic setbacks and that the town will check both town zoning and state wastewater rules and follow up with the resident.
The Select Board thanked the resident for raising the issue and said the manager and staff would look into the timeline of the town’s response and the regulatory obligations; the board did not take further immediate enforcement action at the meeting but said it would discuss next steps with staff.
