The Harwich Board of Health signed off on a high-capacity septic system for a significant multi-family development at 606 Route 28, weighing the immediate need for modern wastewater treatment against a nearly 20-year wait for municipal sewer expansion. The approval for the 28-unit project, known as the Sunday School development, came alongside a restructuring of the department’s fee schedule to align permit costs for septic disposal and body art establishments. While the project at 606 Route 28 was previously continued to address environmental safeguards, the board determined the proposed technology offered the most viable protection for the Witchmere Harbor watershed until the town’s sewer infrastructure reaches Harwichport in the 2040s.

Health Director Carrie Mazerolle clarified that the review was required because the project’s design flow exceeds 2,000 gallons per day, though it seeks no relief from state Title 5 standards. Wastewater Department Consultant Dan Pelitier informed the board that the property sits on the boundary of the Witchmere watershed and will likely not see municipal sewer until Phase 7 of the town’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan, currently slated for 2041 to 2044. Absent a sewer collection system, I would say that the proposed system would provide for the best quality effluent as could be achieved from that property, Pelitier noted, adding that the development’s Microfast IIA treatment system would maintain town compliance with state nitrogen regulations.

The applicant’s team detailed several environmental concessions to mitigate the impact of the 60-bedroom facility. Attorney Marian Rose noted the inclusion of a specialized Players Choice grass mix containing clover, which naturally provides nitrogen and eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers. Engineer Garrett Horsefall highlighted a 17,000-square-foot reduction in impervious surfaces and a groundwater separation of 8 feet, which is 60% beyond state requirements. We are proactively committed to providing the Microfast IIA system, Horsefall said, emphasizing that the design focuses on clean runoff compared to the site’s previous unmanaged state.

Neighborhood residents remained skeptical of the project’s scale and long-term oversight. Resident Bob Nickerson questioned the cumulative nitrogen impact on Witchmere Harbor over the next two decades, stating, I think just being so casual about this is totally unfair. Other residents, including Jim Hudson and Michael Hershey, raised concerns about deteriorating water quality in the harbor and whether state bedroom-occupancy calculations accurately reflect real-world usage. Board member Sharon Flegger reminded the public that the board’s purview is strictly regulatory. My obligation here is to make a decision based on the state and local regulations, whether or not what has been presented fits into our regulations, Flegger said. Motion Made by the Chair to approve the application for 606 Route 28 with conditions including a 60-bedroom cap, mandatory IIA technology, annual fertilizer reporting, and the inclusion of an on-site generator. Motion Passed (3-0-0).

In a separate effort to modernize department operations, the board moved to adjust its fee schedule to ensure consistency across different permit types. Mazerolle explained that the changes would bring body work and body art establishment fees to comparable levels and clean up the fee structure for septic disposal permits based on system size. The intent was to clean up some fees we don't even issue and bring things up to be a little bit more even-keeled, Mazerolle said, noting that permit reviews often require similar staff time regardless of the business type. Motion Made by S. Flegger to accept the proposed fee schedule changes. Motion Passed (3-0-0).

The board also addressed individual hardships related to the town’s ongoing sewer expansion. Residents Brian Faroff and Jordan Brooks of Sherwood Road requested an extension for their Phase 2 sewer connection, citing a $28,000 estimated cost and personal financial difficulties. Faroff noted that their walk-out basement requires a specialized E-pump rather than a standard gravity pipe. The updated estimate is closer to $28,000. I've been out of work since January, so we were hoping for a year-long extension to budget for this, Faroff told the board. Motion Made by S. Flegger to grant a one-year extension with quarterly updates on progress, deferring the daily non-compliance penalties. Motion Passed (3-0-0).

Further business included the approval of a variance for 715 Main Street, where Sil Patel plans to open a cold-cut deli in a new addition. Patel assured the board the facility would be limited to takeout with no on-site cooking or grease-producing equipment. It's going to be a cold cut sandwich deli. No cooking, no stove, no hood, Patel said. Motion Made by S. Flegger to approve the variance request for 715 Main Street regarding restaurant sewage design flow. Motion Passed (3-0-0).

During the Director’s Report, Mazerolle announced that an AmeriCorps service partner would join the department in late October to assist with the community garden. She also noted that the local community fridge successfully distributed 350 prepared meals this summer. To close the session, the board processed several routine permits. Motion Made by the Chair to accept permits as printed. Motion Passed (3-0-0).