Board allows commercial construction at 5 New Venture Drive if owner installs temporary tight tank

The board voted to permit commercial construction at 5 New Venture Drive in South Dennis on the condition that the applicant submit a tight-tank plan to service the facility until a functioning town sewer is available.

Kieran Healy of the BSC Group, representing owner Whitney Tied, told the board the applicant preferred to install a conventional septic system sized for the proposed commercial use and to tie into the sewer immediately if it became available. “If by chance the sewer was connected and available prior to the install of the septic system, then we would be glad to tie into the sewer immediately,” Healy said. He also warned of operating costs for tight tanks: “Tight tanks are very expensive to run. They have to be literally pumped every 2 weeks,” he said, estimating substantial annual pumping costs.

Board members noted a July 2025 prohibition on installing new full septic systems in areas currently in the active construction phase of sewer work. The board described a practical workaround: allow construction to proceed if the applicant uses a tight tank temporarily and commits to connection once sewer service is available. One board member summarized the narrow choices, warning that without this workaround a building permit could not be signed unless the applicant accepted an interim solution.

The applicant’s representative and the owner argued they would disconnect and remove or abandon the septic system when the sewer connection arrived, and the applicant said they were willing to extend the sewer service line toward the street to simplify later hookup. After discussion about alternatives and pumping costs, Speaker 1 moved to allow construction at 5 New Venture Drive per the memorandum dated 04/01/2026 with the condition that a tight-tank plan be submitted and used until a functioning sewer is available; Speaker 4 seconded the motion and the board approved it by voice vote.

The recorded discussion captured pushback from an owner who said he was not told about the prohibition when he purchased his lot; the board responded that the prohibition is in place and that staff and members were trying to find a practical path forward. The motion required follow-up: the applicant must submit the tight-tank plan to the health agent and provide evidence of willingness to disconnect once sewer service is available.

The board’s action allows building to proceed now but makes continued oversight and eventual sewer hookup conditions of approval.