Acushnet Board of Health approves septic repair and variances for 15 Mary Drive

The Acushnet Board of Health voted June 9 to approve a septic repair and replacement plan for 15 Mary Drive, including variances for required setbacks and conditions to address neighbor concerns.

Rick Sharon of Sharon Associates told the board the property has a very small lot and a slow percolation rate (about 25 minutes per inch). He said the design uses an Eljen system to obtain a 40% area reduction and avoid an over‑dig, but the proposed design could not meet the standard 10-foot setback from property lines on the east and north sides, so the applicants sought variances and certified-neighbor notification was completed.

Board members and the presenter discussed the location of vents and the possibility of odors reaching adjacent homes. The board conditioned approval on moving the system vent to the rear corner of the lot and adding charcoal filters to the vents to reduce potential odors. The board then voted to approve the variances and, subsequently, to approve the three‑bedroom design plan subject to those conditions. The transcript does not record the motion maker, seconder by name or a numerical roll-call tally.

Sharon noted the site will remove an existing tank and leaching pits and route piping to a new tank; a large stump/tree in the work area will be removed to allow installation. He also said the Eljen system allows the project to avoid an additional groundwater separation requirement despite the measured 3.4-foot separation at the site.

The board indicated the plan will be signed later (Mike Reese was named as the person who will sign the plan). Work may proceed once the signed plan and any required permits are in hand.