Board approves conditional OK for ADU at 67 Midland Ave after unpermitted work found

The Tisbury Board of Health on Jan. 15 approved conditional septic service for an accessory dwelling unit at 67 Midland Avenue after inspectors found unpermitted work in a garage conversion.

Health Agent Drew Belsky told commissioners that the Denoncourts had undertaken work without notifying the relevant permitting authorities, creating uncertainty about the installation. Inspector John Powers confirmed the effluent filter currently installed "meets minimum requirements," but said the board must still sign off on the system. The board approved ADU service for a one-bedroom unit provided the existing Zabel filter remains at the outlet, the unit is inspected every two years and the filter is cleaned or pumped as needed. The approval also requires a new BOH permit and a proper installation of the building sewer from the ADU to the existing septic system.

Belsky recommended that the current unpermitted bathroom tie-in in the garage be removed and reinstalled by a licensed contractor to ensure correct pitch and compliance; the board agreed but left open the option to accept the existing work if it passes inspection. Visitors at the meeting included Ron and Debbie Denoncourt and John Powers, the inspector who reported on the system.

The BOH did not record a separate roll-call vote for this conditional approval in the minutes, but the action and the conditions were recorded in the meeting summary. The board noted the requirement to obtain required permits and to have the system inspected before the ADU may be used.