Board grants 1-year extension for 1st Baptist Church septic upgrade

The Bourne Board of Health on June 24 voted to extend the compliance deadline for the 1st Baptist Church's failed Title 5 septic system at 298 and 300 Barlow's Landing Road by one year, to Feb. 18, 2028.

Robert Riali, appearing for the church, told the board that engineering took more than a year and initial installation estimates ranged from $160,000 to $180,000. He said the parish is small, uses the building infrequently, and needs time for redesign, bidding and potential financing. "We'd like to request an extension of the February 2027 date for completion of this project," Riali read from his pastor's letter.

Staff noted that a 2025 local regulation change to the coastal-bank setback could allow some projects to avoid IA (innovative/alternative) technology depending on classification of the bank, and that the board had sent a reminder letter earlier outlining the February 2027 upgrade timeline. Board members discussed whether an additional year would pose an environmental risk; staff said there had been no reports of overflows or backups and that the cesspools are not actively failing in reported incidents.

The board moved to grant the extension to Feb. 18, 2028; recorded roll-call remarks included abstentions by some members who were affiliated with the church. Staff advised the applicant to continue design work and to remain cautious about building use during the extension. The board also discussed steps to communicate deadlines and the possibility of sending reminders as the town expands its inventory of likely cesspools.