Four weeks of work is scheduled at 28 Pitcher Street, a failing property that the Marion Board of Health has discussed in many meetings and took up again during its August 18 public meeting.
The owner visited the Town House earlier this month and then produced a list of recommendations put together by a consulting company, but that did not satisfy Bob Ethier, Marion’s acting Health agent who met with the owner along with Marion Health Director Lori Desmarais and Building Commissioner/Zoning Officer Bob Grillo.
After visiting the site immediately before reporting to the Board of Health on August 18, Ethier said, “It doesn’t look like anything has changed …” He hopes to have the owner meet with the board at its next meeting in September.
“I told him the importance of this; we can’t wait any longer. The board is frustrated, and he needs to move on this because we’re going to move on it too,” said Ethier, who said the case will go to Housing Court or whatever avenue is available to the town to achieve a result. “So, if you want to save this house, you have to comply with what we tell you,” Ethier reported telling the owner.
The list, said Ethier, is only an initial step that should quickly be followed by a subsequent list of accomplished items and next steps. “I can assure you, Members of the Board, I will not let this go too long. We’re going to be on him the whole time,” said Ethier, summing up his stance on the situation.
Howard suggested and Hoffer concurred on a response letter acknowledging receipt of the list of recommendations with notice that the board would be closely monitoring the completion of its items “early in September.” Desmarais agreed to carry that out.
Ethier also reported on 33 Pitcher Street, reiterating the board’s message that the town will not approve of any rebuild or new construction unless the property is cleaned up. Ethier reported a plan from the owner’s attorney to complete the planned cleanup including getting rid of cars on the premises, followed by notification on a schedule for construction.
The stinky cesspool at 278 Congress Road is the result of a failed septic system, according to Ethier, who reported having told the owner so. The owner wishes to maintain the system via regular pumping service until it can be properly upgraded in concert with a planned upgrade of the house per Marion’s septic bylaw.
The ongoing mess at 464 Front Street needs cleanup, and the owner was recently judged in Wareham District Court as having violated her probation for hoarding animals. Meantime, a contractor has been at work, and a dumpster is on site to help clean up the mess after a tree fell onto the house.
Ethier said that 1121 Point Road is in foreclosure after the owner was reportedly injured in a car accident and had a heart attack. Information has been hard to come by. Hoffer suggested Ethier seek a solution through Plymouth County Probate Court.
A visit to Little Neck Village prompted by a call into Desmarais brought Ethier to the scene where he observed an enclosure with two dumpsters and two traps apparently set for rodents. A complaint about chipmunks did not make sense to Ethier. “It was pretty clean in there and nice and neat … chipmunks don’t eat garbage, they eat nuts and stuff like that,” he said. Desmarais said she had fielded complaints of holes and acknowledged a letter received from Little Neck Village residents thanking the town for a response.
A visit to 578 Front Street left Ethier suspecting that the septic system there has been shut off in violation of the state sanitary and Title 5 codes. Fines, he said, approximate $1,000 per day. He said the evidence on site indicates the system has not run since 2005.
Howard mentioned an enterprise fund that could help resolve the situation. Desmarais said the betterment has been paid but not the sewer-connection fee that would negate the canceled septic system. Desmarais agreed to send another letter to the owner.
Ethier discussed denitrification septic systems on Marion properties that are for various reasons not performing up to the prescribed standards, and after substantial banter on the subject Hoffer suggested that the matter be tabled until the town has appropriate staffing via a full-time health agent. Citing the state’s intentions to come up with its own septic code addressing denitrification, the board agreed to relieve Ethier of that particular task.
In her Health Director’s Report, Desmarais told the board about new wrinkles in Covid-19 state guidance, including isolation and quarantine. One wrinkle allows someone who tested positive and isolated five days, wearing a mask the next five to remove their mask prior to Day 11 provided there are two negative test results at least 48 hours apart. Also, quarantine is not required of those who are asymptomatic.
Desmarais noted a meeting would be held with the Tri-Towns’ public health nurses and Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson prior to the start of the 2022-23 school year. She also noted that the state has extended the expiration dates of the distributed antigen tests another three months to January 2023.
A flu-shot clinic is scheduled for Monday, September 29. Once again, the drive-through canopy will be used at the Cushing Community Center. Hours will be set after a number of preregistrants is achieved. The board authorized Desmarais to place an order for the latest Covid-19 vaccine, after which a date will be set. She was awaiting information on rates for a pneumonia vaccine.
Howard thinks that the recently approved Marion EMS program could help keep Marion seniors out of hospitals and nursing homes. He cited federal funding to support such efforts. Hoffer said a foundation in Rochester has money for this sort of effort. Howard said the state-funded Homeworks program will assist seniors in assessing heating needs and provide new light bulbs, a safety concern.
The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for Thursday, September 1, at 4:00 pm and will meet again on September 22.
Marion Board of Health
By Mick Colageo