The August 24 meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Health found the members returning to a recently held public meeting in which a presentation given by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Nitrogen Sensitive Areas subcommittee (NSA) laid out a new program that requires reduction of nitrogen levels into estuaries.

            Once enacted, the program will not be voluntary. It strives to reduce nitrogen levels in estuaries (also described as embayments) flowing into Buzzards and Cape Cod Bay. It also expands the scope of coastal areas identified as contributory to the problem.

            At that August 18 meeting, the Board of Health heard from NSA team members that municipalities identified as nitrogen-sensitive areas will be given two pathways to compliance: Either require residential properties not connected to public sewer to upgrade their private septic systems to include denitrification technology within five years of the program’s implementation or apply for a townwide permit that would give the town 20 years to reduce nitrogen levels under a monitoring program.

            During a routine public hearing for a permit to replace a septic system at 101 Brandt Island Road, the board noted these emerging changes as presented by the NSA. Engineer Brian Grady of G.A.F. Engineering was asked to begin discussions with his clients to help them make informed decisions now.

            Board of Health Chairman Carmelo Nicolosi and board member Michelle Bernier told Grady of the financial impact that property owners may be facing if a townwide program known as a watershed permit is not granted to Mattapoisett. Nicolosi said, “It will include areas from Plymouth to Westport and anyone who contributes to nitrogen levels.” The NSA presentation stated that Cape Cod municipalities are actively pursuing regional and watershed-wide permitting.

            “We don’t want to wait for the state (to impose changes),” Nicolosi stated. “Nitrogen-removal plans need to be publicly discussed.” Local revisions, he said, must be in place by 2024. “Real estate agents and buyers may not know this and that’s unfair … people may feel like there’s a gun to their head.” Nicolosi conceded that, “… a lot of people can’t afford this … we can let them know.”

            The topic of available sewer capacity was addressed and the future of such neighborhoods as Leisure Shores, Pease’s Point and Harbor Beach not currently being served by the town’s sewer system. The board members also wondered aloud what impact Marion’s sewer system has on Aucoot Cove.

            In other matters, the board briefly discussed a moratorium on percolation testing during drought conditions. This led Bernier back to the subject of denitrification septic systems. She mentioned a new, nine-lot subdivision planned for Angelica Point and asked if they plan to connect to town sewer and, if not, install denitrification septic systems. She also pointed out the need to reduce the use of fertilizers.

            Approvals were granted for a septic upgrade at 101 Brandt Island Road and a new build at 4 Hiawatha. A request for eight waivers to septic construction at 3 Spruce Street was continued to September 22.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Health is planned for Thursday, September 22, at 10:00 am.