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Acushnet Board of Health reviews policy to require septic installers to finish work within 15 business days of start
Summary
The Acushnet Board of Health discussed a draft policy that would require licensed septic installers to notify the health agent of a start date and complete installation within 15 business days from commencement of work; the board placed the draft on file for revision and further review.
The Acushnet Board of Health on Nov. 19 reviewed a draft policy that would require licensed septic installers to notify the health agent of a commencement date and complete the installation within 15 business days from that start. The board voted to place the draft on file and asked staff to revise a provision so the 15‑day clock begins at the commencement of work rather than the permit issue date.
The draft language discussed at the meeting states: “licensed installer shall contact the health agent to inform the Board of Health of the start date and will have 15 business days from the commencement of work to complete the installation.” Board members said the change clarifies expectations for installers and gives the board a tool to address cases where work is started and then left incomplete for extended periods.
Joe, the health agent, described examples the policy aims to prevent — tanks set and left open, silt filling holes, and sites left partially completed through weather changes — and said the policy is not intended to punish installers who make reasonable progress. Board members raised exceptions for weather, ledge or material shortages and discussed requiring ongoing communication with the health agent when delays occur. The draft also includes an enforcement option and a $300 fine provision for unreasonable delays noted in the text.
Board members asked staff to add a requirement that installers notify the health agent when they commence work so the department can monitor progress. The board agreed that if an installer documents active work and keeps the agent apprised, the policy would not be applied punitively. The board scheduled further review of the revised draft at its next meeting.
The board took no final regulatory vote on the policy at the Nov. 19 meeting; the motion on Nov. 19 was to place the draft on file with the requested wording change and to bring the revised version back for formal consideration.
