Applicant seeks variance for shared irrigation well at 34 Samuelson Street

Felicia McCary, a consultant with Grady Consulting, told the Duxbury Board of Health the owners of 27 Elder Brewster Road and 34 Samuelson Street are proposing a shared irrigation well and request relief to place the well 2.8 feet from the property line instead of the 5‑foot setback required by regulation. McCary said the proposal was driven by site constraints — an existing septic system and overhead 1,300‑volt power lines — and by the owners’ interest in sharing installation and maintenance costs. She said the owners would alternate irrigation use and share expenses.

Peter Lawrence, who identified himself as the owner of 27 Elder Brewster, said he and his neighbor have signed an agreement and that Chatham has examples of multi‑property shared wells. "If both of us put a well, they're going to be within 5 feet of each other because of the setback and where the power lines are," Lawrence said, arguing a shared well is a reasonable land‑use choice given the constraints. Board members asked Lauren, the town health agent, to consult town counsel about whether the proposed deed recordation and any special conditions are legally required, and the Board agreed to defer the item until counsel reviews the signed agreement and advises on consistent townwide policy. The Board also discussed educational approaches — drought‑tolerant landscaping and organic fertilizer options — as alternatives to regulation.