Selectmen Support Park Place Industrial Park Owner in Seeking Temporary Portable Toilet Approval-August 9, 1978

James H. Shane Seeks Board of Health Reconsideration as Town Progresses on Sewer Inflow Reductions; Selectmen Also Address Albemarle Road Repairs and Pleasant Street 7-Eleven Complaints

Shane requested that two completed buildings on the site be permitted to operate using portable facilities until August 19, at which point he anticipates the state will grant final approval to connect the structures to the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) sewer lines.

The state Department of Environmental Quality Engineering (DEQE) previously denied Shane permanent permission in May to tie into the town’s sewer lines until subterranean water inflow and infiltration into the system could be reduced. Since that ruling, the Division of Water Pollution Control issued tentative approval allowing Shane to add one gallon of new sewage capacity for every two gallons the town eliminates through pipe leak repairs. Public Works Superintendent Nicholas Joseph reported that leaks uncovered and repaired by the town to date account for approximately 7,000 gallons per day in reduced infiltration.

Health Director Bartley J. King explained that his board denied the portable toilet permit on July 24 based on DEQE guidance, disputing contractor claims that verbal approval had ever been given. The two buildings have already been occupied for two weeks, prompting Building Inspector John E. Grover to order contractors to produce temporary permits for the units after he was assured they possessed them prior to issuing a temporary occupancy permit on July 21. Following discussion, Selectmen Chairman Martin J. Lydon remarked, “The health board might reconsider, taking into account the information we have heard tonight,” prompting Shane to agree to a second hearing.

In other municipal business during the meeting, the selectmen agreed to initiate proceedings to accept Albemarle Road as a public town way and place an article before a future town meeting to appropriate funds for its repair. The action came in response to a neighborhood petition demanding remediation for “the deplorable condition” of the street. Chairman Lydon noted that the original developer’s construction bond had been released several years prior without the necessary work being completed, stating, “The town will have to pick up the tab and do what has to be done.” Additionally, the board acknowledged receipt of a petition from residents living near the 7-Eleven store at Pleasant Street and Rock Street, requesting that the 24-hour convenience store be restricted from operating between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. due to persistent neighborhood complaints regarding excessive noise, racing cars, police radios, and loud disturbances during the early morning hours.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger