May 6, 2015
To the Editor: Sterling Meetinghouse News
In response to your recent query about how to encourage business in the downtown area, how about a user-friendly Board of Health?
Let me give you an example. A [Sterling] citizen had a T5 septic inspection as a requirement of a pending house sale. The inspector, whom we called in from Westminster (and paid extra for because of our own agent’s familial interest conflict), determined that the system passes, notwithstanding a minor repair required to a leaking tank joint seam. Our agent highlighted the seam repair during a regular BOH meeting as part of monthly activities report. I offered my position that such a repair is fully acceptable, and that as the Westminster inspector had already okayed it, the matter should be closed. My co-Board members, however, felt it was worth considering and furthermore decided that the seam repair warranted a full tank replacement, which would be a last minute $10,000+ cost to the homeowner. I objected, saying that such repairs were common in the field; indeed many split tanks leak straight from the factory, but self-seal when tightly backfilled with the hardpan that is the common soil on most Sterling lots. A vote was taken, and the tank replacement was ordered.
In the interim between our monthly meetings, the homeowner and the septic contractor objected to this overturning of the original T5 report and called me to request reconsideration. I called a special meeting of the Board to reconsider the replacement mandate, at which time my co-Board members still insisted the tank must be replaced, if not because of the seam repair, then due to its age, having been installed in 1990. I countered with the argument that I was T5 certified, the septic contractor was T5 certified, and the Westminster inspector was T5 certified, but that the other Board members were not, and the repair was okay with us, the DEP-certified individuals. Furthermore, I had gotten DEP concurrence, and noted that tank age by itself was not a replacement criterion. This time, I was successful in getting the vote changed. My philosophy is that the BOH exists because of, and to serve, all taxpayers and no special interest, other than to uphold all health standards without going overboard. The Board of Health should be working to enforce (and keep citizens informed of) the complete scope of state health regulations, including citizens’ rights.
Please vote on Monday, May 11 for a user-friendly Board of Health!
Gary C. Menin Sr.
Birch Drive, Sterling