The discussion regarding 10 Harding Street was the most pressing item on the agenda. Representatives from Riverhawk Environmental, alongside Lex Development, presented their case for two variances needed for their commercial project. Initially, there were concerns about a nearby off-site well on Harding Street, belonging to My’s Liquors. The representatives proposed to eliminate this well and instead connect the property to the Taton water main, a proposal already approved by the town selectmen. This solution addressed the board’s primary concern, which had been a significant barrier to granting the variances.

The board deliberated on the implications of omitting a denitrifying septic system, given the absence of nearby wells. It was agreed that a certificate of compliance would not be issued until the well was disconnected. The representatives accepted the risk of potentially needing to retrofit the system if the water connection was not realized. The board members acknowledged that the well issue was the main obstacle, and with it resolved, they were inclined to approve the requested variances.

The conversation included updates on the project’s construction status and plan revisions, including details about the location of the water line. The board confirmed that the plans met required septic system setbacks and agreed with the engineering details provided. Ultimately, a motion to approve the variances was made, contingent upon the water connection and septic cover requirements. This motion was seconded and passed unanimously, allowing the project to move forward with the board’s conditions in place.

In another discussion, the board addressed a property dispute involving the classification of a home’s septic system as either three-bedroom or four-bedroom. The property owner had attempted to reclassify one of the bedrooms as a home office, a change the board previously rejected. A court hearing had recently taken place, and the judge advised the parties to attempt a resolution. Nicholas Gomes, representing the property owner, and Mr. Cam Goldstein, a real estate agent for a prospective buyer, sought recognition of the property as a three-bedroom home, presenting two options: retrofitting the property to maintain the three-bedroom classification or upgrading the septic system to accommodate four bedrooms.

The board discussed the implications of these options, including the need for a deed restriction if the property remained a three-bedroom home. The modifications would involve widening a doorway and removing closet walls, thus ensuring the room did not qualify as a bedroom. The board suggested postponing the court’s ruling for a week to allow for further discussions among the involved parties. A conditional approval was proposed, allowing for one of the options to be pursued, with final decisions subject to review by the town council. This approach aimed to prevent further delays and address the needs of the prospective buyer’s family.

Additionally, the meeting touched upon the reappointment of Shayen Terrarero as the shared health service specialist, which the board unanimously supported. Routine items, such as the approval of meeting minutes from previous sessions and updates on health risks like Triple E and West Nile virus, were also covered. The board noted that with recent frost, the risk for Triple E had diminished, and only eight cases of West Nile had been recorded for the year. The meeting concluded with announcements regarding annual animal inspections, with designated inspectors set to contact residents in advance of their visits.