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Homeowners raise septic constraints at 123/125 Beach St.; commission offers review guidance
Summary
Owners of 123 and 125 Beach St. described limited options for septic replacement because of resource-area buffers, deep peat and high water tables; the commission urged GIS review and alternative designs but did not take formal action.
Residents Gary Bluestein (123 Beach St.) and Jason Saphire (125 Beach St.) brought engineers to the March 19 Conservation Commission meeting to discuss septic replacement options on adjacent beachfront lots.
Engineer David Oberlander (BDO Engineering) said test pits at 125 Beach St. previously found about 4 feet of fill over 10 feet of peat and noted neighboring construction had encountered high water tables, complicating conventional leaching-field solutions. Saphire said his system is failing and required replacement; Bluestein said his system is currently functioning but he is concerned about future repairs and proximity to resource areas.
Homeowners asked whether leaching fields could be combined across the two adjacent lots. Commissioners and staff said no definitive approval could be issued at the meeting; Chair Peg Arguimbau and Conservation Administrator Josh Philibert encouraged the homeowners and Oberlander to review town GIS data and pursue alternatives that avoid bringing new disturbance closer to wetland resource areas and buffer zones than existing conditions.
No formal motion or vote was taken; the discussion was advisory and framed as preliminary guidance from the commission and staff. The homeowners thanked the commission for the opportunity to discuss constraints and next steps.
