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Wellfleet Board backs temporary tight tank letter, swaps intermunicipal agreement and schedules tobacco‑regulation hearing
Summary
At its Nov. 12 meeting the Wellfleet Board of Health unanimously approved a letter supporting a temporary tight tank at 95 Lawrence Road subject to state conditions, voted to withdraw and re‑enter an intermunicipal public‑health agreement, and directed staff to schedule a public hearing on updated tobacco regulations.
The Wellfleet Board of Health voted unanimously to prepare a letter approving a temporary tight tank at 95 Lawrence Road after asking for more details about tank size, monitoring and how long the tanks would be used. A board member said she "wished they had let us know" in advance; the request had been forwarded to the board by Tom and identified in the packet as originating from Jay Coburn.
Board members sought technical information — tank volume, pump frequency, ownership and who would pay hauling costs — and noted that tight tanks require full pumped disposal rather than leaching. Staff said the state approval places conditions on monitoring (float alarms with audio/visual alerts set to activate at 3/5 tank capacity) and that pumps would be triggered when liquid depth reaches 48 inches; board members agreed the more technical financial questions (cost per gallon, ownership) largely fall outside the board’s jurisdiction.
After discussion the board directed staff member Jen to draft a letter indicating the board’s approval/sign‑off on the temporary tight tank consistent with the state agency’s conditions and until the new wastewater treatment facility is operational. The motion to have Jen prepare the letter passed 3–0.
Separately, the board approved two procedural motions concerning regional cooperation: first, to withdraw from an existing intermunicipal agreement for Outer Cape shared public‑health services with the Cape Public Health Collaborative; and second, to enter into a replacement intermunicipal agreement. Board members said all four Outer Cape health agents have worked on the new paperwork and that services outlined in the memorandum would continue under the new agreement; both motions passed unanimously (3–0).
Finally, board members opened discussion on updated tobacco regulations that staff said would bring local rules into closer alignment with state standards. The board instructed staff to publicize the proposed regulations and schedule a public hearing.
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn; the board adjourned after roughly 30 minutes.
