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Board continues show-cause for 21 Hidden Shores Lane after dispute over whether precast pits are cesspools; will check sewer-phase status
Summary
A contested show-cause hearing for 21 Hidden Shores Lane was continued to July so the owner can consult the sewer director and the board can investigate whether the property will be included in phase 1 of a sewer project. The hearing included debate over whether the on-site structures are precast leaching pits or regulated cesspools and whether repairs trigger a mandatory upgrade.
The Board of Health continued a show-cause hearing June 11 for 21 Hidden Shores Lane after a contested exchange over whether the property’s in-ground structures are precast leaching pits or cesspools and because the board requested confirmation whether the parcel is included in phase 1 of an upcoming sewer project.
Homeowner Carol Williamson (speaker 9) and Jeff Wall of Wall Septic Service (speaker 6) said an Orangeburg inlet line collapsed and that the property’s components are "precast seepage pits" rather than block-built cesspools. Wall said the homeowner used about "12,000 gallons a year" and that the pits are solid precast structures; he asked the board to consider that replacing the inlet shouldn’t trigger an upgrade requiring a new Title 5 system given the pits’ construction and the owner’s low usage.
Board members noted a town regulation that generally forbids repairs to cesspools and pointed out the health department’s records conflict on classification; staff (speaker 7) said the order letter allows installing a septic tank to replace the first pit in limited cases. Chair (speaker 1) summarized a path forward: continue the matter for one month, give the applicant time to consult the sewer director to determine whether the property is in phase 1 of the sewer project, and direct in-house staff investigation; the board will consider relief if the property is included in phase 1. A motion to continue to the July meeting passed unanimously.
The board also discussed alternatives such as temporary pumping or partial upgrades while noting the regulatory constraint that repairs to structures listed as cesspools are not permitted under their rules.
