Health Department Disapproval Referral 1986 j
/1 / '
David B. Musante,Jr.
Mayor
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
MASSACHUSETTS
City Hall
210 Main Street
Northampton, Massachusetts 01060
Mr. Peter McErlain
Health Agent
City of Northampton
210 Main St.
Northampton, Ma. 01060
Dear Peter:
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
586-6950
April 15,1986
Mr. Jonathan Evans of 95 Dunphy Drive has indicated that perc
tests in the general vicinity of Dunphy Drive have been conducted
in a manner that would indicate that they were too liberal. Mr.Evans
explained that to the lay person, the tests appear to be conducted
at times of the year when it is most dry and that the holes appear
to retain water for long periods. He also explained that he has
water in his basement which may be attributable to other homes being
developed in the area.
It would be appreciated if you would correspond with Mr. Evans
and perhaps send him a copy of the regulations governing the tests.
Sincerely
David B Musante, Jr.
Mayor
DBM/d City of Northampton
c.c. Jonathan Evans
BOARD OF HEALTH
JOHN T.JOYCE,Chairman
PETER C.KENNY,M.D.
MICHAEL R.PARSONS
PETER 1.McFIBLAIN.Health Agent
Mr. Jonathan Evans
95 Dunphy Drive
Northampton , MA 01060
Dear Mr . Evans:
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
MASSACHUSETTS 01060
OFFICE OF THE
BOARD OF HEALTH
April 18 , 1986
210 MAIN STREET
01060
(413)5866950 Ext.213
Mayor Musante has referred your concerns about percolation testing
to the Board of Health .
Enclosed please find copies of the Sections of Title 5 of the State
Environmental Code pertaining to percolation tests .
Regulation 15 . 03 ( 3) requires that percolation test (ground water
elevation) should be made when ground water is at its maximum eleva-
tion .
The Northampton Board of Health limits "perc tests" to the March 1
through May 31 period , the so-called wet season . All perc tests
must be completed by May 31st.
If you have additional questions concerning percolation tests please
feel free to contact the Board of Health .
Very truly yours ,
Peter J . McErlain
Health Agent
PJMc :mr
cc : Mayor David B . Musante
THE NORTHAMPTON BOARD OF HEALTH RECOMMENDS DISAPPROVAL OF THE
MAPLE RIDGE PLAN BECAUSE OF THE DEFICIENCIES LISTED BELOW:
Because there is doubt as to whether certain land in the subdivision
can be used as building sites without injury to the public health ,
the Northampton Board of Health recommends disapproval of the Pro-
posed Maple Ridge Subdivision Plan until the following items have
been addressed:
1 . Incomplete perc test data (lots 7 ,8 ,9 ,24 , 25 , and 26 have
not been tested
2. Inadequate plans for handling storm water runoff from the
cul-de-sac retention basin . Floodings of dwellings to the
southwest of the cul-de-sac (Winterberry Lane, Woodbrook )
might result if swales are not employed.
3 . Consideration should be given to requiring some type of
curtain drain system (as has been proposed by Consulting
Geologist Thomas Rice) to prevent increased flooding of
dwellings on Dunphy Drive to the south of the proposed
development.
4 . Further data about the proposed retention basin is re-
quired including:
- the length of time and depth of the
water retained
- whether or not the basin will actually
dry up ; have a permanent stream flowing
through it, etc .
5 . It appears that the bottom of the_ basin will be below the
level of ground water in the area.If the basin is to con-
tinuously hold water of a depth which poses a hazard to
area childrentheeonsideration should be given to requir-
ing fencing or other barriers around the basin .
- There is a quantity of junk (possibly
one or more vehicles ) buried in an area
approximately 60' to 80' from the western
end of the retention basin . This material
will have to be removed and properly dis-
posed of.
FORM E
2 of 2
NORTHAMPTON,
July 3, 1986
Date
2 . The following comments are offered for the guidance of the
Planning Board:
The Board of Health recommends disapproval of the Maple
Ridge
Plan because of the deficiencies listed on the attached sheet .
3 . Bond requirement : $ _ N/A
Department ar of alth
Signed
39
METCALF & EDDY