The Lakeville Board of Health convened on February 19, 2025, to address several key issues, with a primary focus on local upgrade approvals for a property at 2 Janine Street. The meeting began with Will Connolly from Zenith Consulting Engineers presenting the case for the property owner, Jeff Pierce.

Connolly explained that the existing septic system had passed a Title 5 inspection, but the well associated with the property had failed. Instead of proposing a complete system overhaul, Connolly requested local upgrades due to site constraints. Specifically, he sought a reduction in the required distance between the foundation and the tank from 10 feet to 4 feet, as well as a reduction from 200 feet to 75 feet between the tank and a nearby tributary to a surface water supply.

The discussion highlighted the well's condition, noting that nitrate levels were recorded between 5 and 10, which necessitates annual testing until levels drop below 5. If levels exceed 10, a filtration system would be required. The board emphasized the importance of notifying future buyers about the well's testing requirements and the need for a maintenance contract with Microfast, the system provider.

Concerns were raised regarding the notification process for Title 5 inspections, as the board noted that inspectors had not been consistently informing them 24 hours in advance, as required. This lack of communication could lead to missed opportunities for the board to witness inspections, which is crucial for ensuring compliance and preventing contamination of wells.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to send letters to inspectors to reinforce the notification requirement and to ensure that all parties involved are aware of the necessary steps moving forward. The board's focus remains on safeguarding public health and maintaining compliance with environmental regulations.