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Inventory flags shoreland septic gaps; committee considers inspection/ordinance options
Summary
An inventory of shoreland parcels shows many properties lack town septic records and roughly half pre-date 1970; the committee discussed the data's implications for water quality and potential ordinance or inspection language to include in the comprehensive plan.
Committee member Theo reported that shoreland property review found roughly 416 shoreland parcels, with about 234 lacking septic records in town files. Many of the parcels predate 1970, implying septic systems that could be more than four decades old and potentially beyond typical lifespans.
Theo urged the committee to use the inventory to decide whether to propose policy steps; members noted a state requirement that septic systems be inspected or upgraded at the time of property sale. "We have no records," Theo said, describing the scope of missing documentation and urging that the data inform a future ordinance or inspection program. The committee discussed breaking the task into two phases: (1) fill data gaps and (2) develop a phased compliance or outreach approach, possibly using temporary staffing or grant funding to help enforcement and outreach.
