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Board approves Title 5 variance requests for 31 Pemberton Street and will sign before Conservation filing
Summary
The board supported variance requests for a failed septic system at 31 Pemberton St — reduced separation distances and use of a single deep-hole test — and authorized the health director to sign prior to the applicant's filing with the Conservation Commission.
The board considered a Title 5 variance application for 31 Pemberton Street after a civil engineer from Burrell Engineering described a failed pre‑Title 5 cesspool system and proposed alternative septic work. Israel Burrell said the property is constrained, sits near wetlands, and requires three variance items: reduced foundation setback, reduced property-line separation and acceptance of a single deep-hole test in the leach-field location.
Burrell explained the design is an alternative (Presby) system that is mounded to meet groundwater separation requirements and treat wastewater more effectively than the failing cesspools currently discharging into the water table. He said the proposed system should avoid recurring failure for decades; it will require standard operations and pumping schedules but no pumps or alarms unique to other alternative systems.
Board members noted the existing system was in very poor condition and agreed the proposed approach was a significant improvement. A motion to support the variance requests and have the health and human services director sign on the board's behalf prior to the applicant's filing with the Conservation Commission carried by voice vote.
