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Board grants variance to reduce external grease-trap pumping frequency at Dunkin' on South Main
Summary
After an inspection found minimal grease accumulation, the Sherborn Board of Health granted a variance allowing two six-month inspections in 2026 (not mandatory pumping) with review in February 2027 and a condition tying any reduced schedule to the existing business model. Vote: 5-0.
The Sherborn Board of Health voted unanimously on May 6 to grant a variance to 310 CMR 15.351(2) for the external grease trap at the Dunkin' on 23 South Main Street, allowing the owner to replace quarterly mandatory pumping with two inspections at six-month intervals during the first year and a possible change to annual inspection thereafter if grease accumulation remains below 25 percent.
Health Agent Mark Oram said he had consulted with Claire Golden at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, who recommended the two-inspection approach for the first year. Stacey Scott of Scott Septic Service told the board the external grease trap’s usage appeared minimal and that most grease was captured by the interior trap. Owner Alex Weatherall said he retained responsibility for the external trap under his lease and acknowledged the trap had not been serviced for about 25 months; he said the tank was found to be "pretty striking"ly empty when inspected.
Oram and Board members emphasized the variance is limited to the existing business and its current food-preparation practices: if the tenant or operations change in a way that increases on-site food preparation, the Board will revisit the schedule. The motion—clarified to apply to inspections rather than mandatory pumping—calls for two inspections beginning from the February 2026 inspection date, spaced six months apart; if both inspections show grease accumulation of less than 25 percent of effective depth, the Board will consider reducing the schedule to once annually and will review progress in February 2027. The motion passed, DB – AYE; SC – AYE; JD – AYE; DH – AYE; RH – AYE (5-0).
