Tel Notch ADU septic options require inland wetlands application, commission says

Town planners presented a change to a Tel Notch lot where a prior subdivision was consolidated and the owner seeks to convert a pool house to an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). The applicant outlined two septic options: install a new gravity‑fed septic within the regulated area (a plan the presenter said had Farmington Valley Health District approval) or replace the tank, add a pump chamber and run a forced (pumped) line out of the upland review area.

Staff and the town engineer, Dave Whitney, briefed commissioners on permitting implications. Whitney confirmed the applicant had been working with the health department and that one of the gravity systems had been approved by the Farmington Valley Health District. Commissioners and staff discussed tradeoffs: a gravity system would place the new system closer to the wetland and within the 150‑foot upland review area, while a pumped system would move the leach field out of the upland area but require trenching and some tree clearing to run the force line.

Several commissioners and staff said a pumped system carries operational and maintenance risks in low‑use situations, and commissioners expressed a general preference for the non‑pumped (gravity) option when feasible. After discussion the commission concluded that either option would require an inland wetlands permit or formal application because of excavation within the upland review area and potential tree clearing, and directed the applicant to file the appropriate inland wetlands application before proceeding.

What happens next: Staff and the applicant will prepare and submit the inland wetlands application and supporting materials (engineer’s report, site plans and health‑department documents). The commission did not approve a specific installation at the meeting; it advised that either option requires a formal wetlands application and review before work begins.