Owner of South Dennis property wins board approval to replace chambers as temporary septic remedy; odor issue cited

John Callahan, owner/operator with JTC Contractors, told the Dennis Board of Health that a multi-chamber septic field serving several businesses had begun to rise and that remediation is needed.

Callahan said he installed two IA units that initially lowered chamber levels but produced strong odors that affected tenants: "It created a really bad smell for the tenants," he said. He proposed ripping out and replacing six 500-gallon chambers under the parking lot and continuing monitoring through a contracted O&M provider. The board found that part of the system had failed, approved the proposed repairs as a temporary remedy and required O&M reporting and a hook-up to the municipal sewer when available.

Why it matters: The site serves several commercial units and a failed field under a parking lot poses environmental and tenant‑health risks. The board framed the approval as a short-term measure while the property awaits sewer connection under the town’s phased wastewater project.

Details and conditions: The board’s motion (moved, seconded, unanimous) required documented repairs to the affected chambers, continued O&M monitoring (arranged with Shore Things Environmental in the applicant’s description), submission of reports and a timeline to hook up to the sewer once it reaches the area. Callahan estimated the repairs would “buy” roughly four years until sewer connection is possible.

Next steps: The applicant will perform the chamber replacement, continue monitoring with the contracted party and submit reports to the health director. The board recorded that Chair Covell stepped down from this matter (recorded in the hearing).