The Town of Northborough Board of Health on Jan. 14 approved local Title 5 upgrade approvals and municipal variances allowing a replacement septic system on a constrained lot at 6 Hillside Road.

The board granted reductions to standard setbacks and other waivers so the property owner can replace a failing septic system on a 37,100-square-foot lot that abuts a pond and two neighboring wells, health staff said. The approvals include reduced separations to property lines, the foundation, wells and the water surface; staff said abutters were notified and no objections were received.

The request was presented by a Cornerstone representative and reviewed by a town health agent, who said the lot is compact and the existing cesspool was failing. Under the proposed plan, the septic tank and leach-field setbacks to property lines and foundations are smaller than the bylaw and Title 5 requirements. Specific reductions recorded in the meeting summary: septic tank setback to property lines (requires 10 feet, proposed 5.5 feet); septic tank separation to foundation (requires 10 feet, proposed 8.9 feet); leach-field setback to property lines (requires 10 feet, proposed 5.1 feet); leach-field separation to foundation (requires 20 feet, proposed 8.0 and 16.8 feet for two measured separations); leach-field separation to wells (requires 100 feet, presently 63 feet and 82 feet to two abutting wells); and leach-field separation to water surface (requires 10 feet, proposed about 80 feet). The plan also requested a reduced leach-field setback to wetlands (bylaw requires 100 feet, proposed 62 feet).

The presenter said soils on the lot are permeable sand, which allowed shrinking the system footprint. He also said the property will be connected to public water via a private service line rather than using the existing well. The owner will record a deed restriction limiting the property to two bedrooms; staff said that restriction is meant to cap future wastewater loading and that it would remain effective once recorded in the registry of deeds.

A board member moved to approve the full set of requested Title 5 local upgrades and municipal variances; another member seconded the motion. The chair called the question and the board voted in favor.

The board discussed protections for the new waterline, including sleeving the water service and installing a poly barrier between the leach field and the incoming line. Staff said the concrete gallery for the system will be installed under the driveway and sized for vehicle loads.

The board’s approvals are local variances and upgrades under Title 5 and the Town of Northborough bylaws; staff noted that certain reduced setbacks would require survey confirmation if they fell below five feet.

Actions recorded: the board approved the requested local Title 5 upgrades and municipal variances for 6 Hillside Road, with a deed restriction on bedrooms. The motion passed on a voice vote.