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Townsend Board sends certified enforcement letter to 61 Edward Road, approves septic upgrade for 213 Mason Road
Summary
At its June 8 meeting the Townsend Board of Health voted to send a certified enforcement letter to the owner of 61 Edward Road for noncompliance with 105 CMR 410 and approved a Local Upgrade Approval for a septic replacement at 213 Mason Road, setting short response and cleanup deadlines.
The Townsend Board of Health on June 8 voted to send a certified enforcement letter to the owner of 61 Edward Road after staff reported the property had not complied with a prior warning under 105 CMR 410.
A board member said, “I drove by. It doesn't look like anything's been done out there,” and staff explained a warning letter sent May 18 allowed 14 days to comply. The board approved a motion to send a certified letter with legal language, require a written cleanup plan within seven business days of signed receipt, and expect cleanup within 30 days; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Staff said certified delivery will be verified and that the owner should be prepared to report back at the board's next meeting, scheduled for June 22.
The board’s action formalizes the next step in enforcement under state public‑health regulations, giving the property owner a short timeline to respond in writing and either complete cleanup or propose an alternative plan the board could consider. Board members discussed that past community groups had helped clear similar properties but noted any volunteer cleanup must occur outside formal board action to avoid liability.
Separately, the board approved a Local Upgrade Approval (LUA) to replace a failing septic system at 213 Mason Road. Staff described the existing system as serving a three‑bedroom house with a septic tank and two leaching pits. The approved plan calls for a 2,500‑gallon two‑compartment tank that will gravity‑feed to an 18‑by‑32 leach field, and the LUA reduces the groundwater offset requirement from 5 feet to 4 feet so the system can function as designed. A board member moved to approve the upgrade and the motion carried with all in favor.
The board continued an unrelated septic item for 29 Ponderosa Drive to the June 22 meeting at the applicant’s request. The board also discussed the paperwork cadence and asked staff to confirm receipt dates so the board can track compliance timelines.
Next steps: staff will send the certified enforcement letter to 61 Edward Road, confirm signed receipt, and report any response or cleanup plan at the June 22 meeting. For 213 Mason Road, staff will file the LUA approval and monitor installation and compliance.
