The primary focus of the meeting was the public hearing regarding the proposed upgrade and replacement of a dwelling on Foster Street. Kirk Fitzpatrick of Civil Solutions, representing Peter Scott Construction, presented the plans for the four-bedroom house that has been unoccupied for over two decades, with a failed septic system. The current system’s collapse necessitated the construction of a new home, slightly relocated to comply with zoning regulations and to create a front yard. Fitzpatrick explained that extensive soil testing was conducted, revealing a solid ledge at 40 inches in one test hole, which limited potential septic system locations. Ultimately, a suitable area with four feet of naturally occurring pervious material was identified for the new Presby septic system.

The proposal included a request to reduce the groundwater offset from four feet to two feet, leveraging the Presby system’s design. Fitzpatrick addressed concerns from neighbors, particularly those on Foster Street, about the system’s proximity to their lot line. To manage surface runoff, he proposed adding a swale along the lot line. During discussions, a board member suggested rotating the septic system to minimize impact on neighbors, but Fitzpatrick clarified that such a rotation would be detrimental due to the land’s slope.

The board’s deliberations highlighted the importance of community input and environmental factors in planning. Ultimately, the board leaned toward conditional approval of the plans, with the stipulation that the swale would be integrated into the final design. This decision allowed the project to proceed while ensuring environmental safeguards were in place.

Another agenda item was the public hearing for a property on Tan Road. Fitzpatrick, this time representing Kyle Mann of Mighty Small Trust, outlined plans to demolish an existing four-bedroom dwelling to construct a new one. The soil testing at this site revealed a high water table and a percolation rate of two minutes per inch.

The board approved the plan with a variance for the groundwater offset, acknowledging the design that avoided excessive fill near lot lines.

In addition to these residential projects, the board discussed public health updates, focusing on infectious diseases like COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. The current COVID-19 case count remained low, with fewer than five cases per week. The board noted the previous year’s low vaccination rate of 32.5%, emphasizing the need for increased educational efforts. A recent vaccination clinic administered 142 flu shots and 42 COVID-19 vaccinations, with plans for another clinic in November.

Administrative matters included scheduling adjustments, with the board deciding to cancel the November 27 meeting due to proximity to Thanksgiving. Instead, they planned to hold meetings on December 11 and 25, with flexibility for additional meetings if necessary. The board also discussed the hiring process for an administrative assistant and ongoing soil testing activities at Shaker Lane School.