LAKEVILLE, Mass. — The Lakeville Board of Health on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, approved local upgrade variances for three separate on-site sewage disposal systems and attached conditions for one property after board members discussed well testing, setbacks and plan corrections.

The board approved a local upgrade for 2 Janine Street that allows installation of a treatment tank and reduced setbacks in constrained locations. The approval includes a condition that a two‑bedroom deed restriction be recorded at the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds and that the property’s well be tested annually until nitrate levels fall below 5 milligrams per liter, according to the board’s motion.

The deed restriction reference cited during the meeting included a recording number and book/page references filed with the registry, and board members agreed a stamped copy of the recorded deed restriction must be submitted to the Board of Health before a septic permit is issued. A board member noted the well’s nitrate result was 5.12 mg/L — above the threshold that triggers annual monitoring under state guidance — and advised that a nitrate result above 10 mg/L would require a treatment (filter) system.

Separately, the board approved four local upgrades for 1 Bailey’s Way as presented by Will Connolly of Zenith Consulting Engineers. Connolly described a proposed 1,500‑gallon microfast tank and a 15‑by‑20 stone‑and‑pipe leaching field, and requested reductions in multiple setbacks (including between the field and a tributary to a surface water supply). The board required corrected plans (fixing a sizing typo in the design calculations), a change to an H‑20 d‑box specification, clearer test‑pit labeling and a submitted well test before final permits are issued.

The board also approved a previously reviewed local upgrade at 84 Taunton Street. The applicant sought a one‑foot reduction in required cover where pipe elevations installed in the field were lower than planned; the board approved the reduction and asked for an updated letter for the project file that reflects a 100‑foot setback to nearby wells rather than a 150‑foot statement contained in an earlier letter.

Other business: the board continued discussion of a proposed open‑space by‑law to a future meeting and approved the Dec. 4, 2024, minutes as typed.

Board members said the three septic approvals are narrow, site‑specific variances driven by constrained lots, existing grades and, in one case, a marginal nitrate exceedance that triggered monitoring requirements under state title‑5 guidance. Engineers and the town agent discussed soil and water table conditions, the need for accurate test‑pit labeling, and equipment cover and venting details for tanks and d‑boxes during the review of plans.

Votes at a glance

• 2 Janine Street — Motion to approve two local upgrade requests with requirement that a two‑bedroom deed restriction be recorded and that the well be tested annually until nitrates are below 5 mg/L; motion seconded; unanimous approval (3‑0).

• 1 Bailey’s Way — Motion to approve four local upgrades as printed, with corrections to plan typos, H‑20 d‑box specification, test‑pit labeling and submission of a well test; motion seconded; unanimous approval (3‑0).

• 84 Taunton Street — Motion to approve one local upgrade request to reduce cover by one foot due to as‑installed pipe elevation, with an updated letter clarifying well setback distances for the project file; motion seconded; unanimous approval (3‑0).

• Open‑space by‑law discussion — Motion to continue the item to the next meeting; motion seconded; unanimous approval (3‑0).

• Meeting minutes (Dec. 4, 2024) — Motion to approve minutes as typed; motion seconded; unanimous approval (3‑0).

The board’s approvals permit site‑specific deviations from the town’s Title 5 implementation where the board determined public health safeguards can be maintained through deed restrictions, monitoring and plan corrections. Engineers and applicants were instructed to submit corrected, stamped plans and supporting documentation to the Board of Health before final septic permits are issued.