Warren Board of Health approves septic variances for 23 Pine Ridge Road

The Warren Board of Health voted June 24 to approve variances allowing work at 23 Pine Ridge Road, after the applicant’s engineer described a revised septic design that replaces a gravity leaching component with a Presby (self-leveling) leaching field.

At the meeting, engineer Rauli Sardi of Cape Annas Engineering said the redesign keeps the proposed nitrogen‑reducing BNRT system while switching the leaching field to a Presby layout to avoid adding a pump chamber and the additional setback impacts that a pressure-dosed system would require. “We feel it still provides the same benefits mainly because of the denitrifying septic system, which is the main concern in this bay,” Sardi said.

Board members questioned whether a Presby system meets the intent of the town regulation, which calls for pressure distribution where lots fall short of the setback standard. Board member (speaker 2) pressed staff and the engineer on whether the Presby alternative would achieve the same even distribution of effluent; Sardi and health staff said Presby equalizes flow along the length of the pipe and offers a passive treatment effect even though the design is not taking formal credit for additional nitrogen removal.

Katie, the health director, noted that Presby systems have DEP approval for alternative leaching fields and that the town could consider regulatory changes in a workshop if commissioners want to formally recognize additional systems. The board discussed practical differences between perk‑sand/stone and sand-based options and the administrative challenges of enforcing a strict 150‑foot setback on smaller lots.

Board member (speaker 2) moved to approve the requested waivers for 23 Pine Ridge Road — the application text described local upgrade waivers from full compliance for setbacks related to a coastal bank and salt marsh — a motion that was seconded and received affirmative votes from members present. The board recorded the motion as approved.

The board did not record a detailed roll-call tally in the transcript beyond vocal assent; the motion carried and the variances were granted. The health department will document the approved plan and the applicant may proceed under the conditions discussed at the hearing.

The board also discussed holding a Title 5/regulation workshop in the summer or early fall to review alternative systems and the 150‑foot setback standard.