Dennis Board of Health approves multiple septic variances and conditions for residential projects

The Dennis Board of Health on Sept. 11 unanimously granted a series of residential septic variances and attached conditions for several projects across town.

Pat Jacobs, representing James and Karen Tufo, presented a brief application to construct a two‑car garage and attachment at 43 Thoreau Drive; after a request that the septic system be reinspected (last checked in 2013), a board member moved to grant the variance pending a passing inspection and with conditions 1, 2, 3 and 5. The motion carried unanimously.

Engineer Dan Ojila of Don Cape Engineering described raise‑and‑replace plans for a redevelopment on Old Chatham Road and explained that an innovative alternative (IA) septic system would reduce nitrogen loading near Whites Pond. The board approved the variance for 544 Old Chatham Road South Dennis per the memorandum dated Sept. 2, 2025, with conditions listed in that memorandum.

Ojila also presented a proposal for 158 Wig Street. He gave the board soil‑testing results and said the selected IA system would reduce nitrogen from about 14.66 mg/L to 9.77 mg/L and provide about five feet of separation to adjusted groundwater. A board member called the design “a big improvement” over cesspools; the variance was approved with conditions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7.

At 86 Forest Pines Drive, Tanya Notiva clarified the item was a remodeling, not new construction, and that the project would not change the number of bedrooms or flow. Board members debated whether to impose an immediate upgrade given that the system had recently passed inspection. The board approved the renovation with conditions that include removal of the garbage disposal and a reinspection of the system in two years.

Brian Yugation, professional engineer with BSC Group, presented a raise‑and‑replace plan for 18 Pelham Lane in Dennisport, describing relocation of septic components to the northwest corner of the lot to increase separation from a coastal bank and noting proposed invasive species management and tank sizing that meets town requirements. The board approved the variance with conditions in the Sept. 2 memorandum.

For 40 Country Lane, representatives agreed to remove a closet from a proposed living/ media room to prevent its later conversion into a bedroom; the board required revised plans showing the closet removed and approved the variance with the stated exceptions.

Board members framed approvals with common safeguards: requiring inspections that verify system function, setting conditions to avoid increases in bedrooms or flow, removing disposables (such as garbage disposals) when needed and requiring plan revisions to prevent unintended bedroom conversions.

Each motion carried by unanimous vote.