Illegal tight tanks an issue at East Beach

A Board of Health memo about illegal tight tanks at East Beach brought an anxious and irritated crowd of trailer owners to a meeting with selectmen on March 20.

Sean Leach of the Board of Health said the tight tanks were allowed by the state department of Environmental Protection as a "temporary" solution after Hurricane Bob in 1991.

Mr. Leach said the DEP issued a policy and guidelines in April 1992 for East Beach trailer owners who lost their septic systems. The DEP said they could use tight tanks temporarily but they could not remain permanently.

In the years since then, neither the town nor the state has forced the issue, Mr. Leach said. Yet, he said the tight tanks are a growing problem that could be causing bacteria pollution in the water, right next to a town beach.

Trailer owners have to have their permits renewed at the beginning of each season. This falls under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen. Selectmen voted at the end of Thursday's meeting to require a letter from the Board of Health before they will renew a permit.

Mr. Leach said after recent storms, tight tanks have been found uprooted and tossed to the sides of the road. He mentioned one in particular near Gooseberry Island that is keeled over. Rather than dealing with it, the owner he selling the lot, Mr. Leach said.

"The Board of Health's concern is that last year, after a significant storm, a lot of tight tanks were exposed. A couple that were damaged out by Gooseberry are still sitting there by the side of the road."

Among the imminent dangers are tight tanks that are "one rock away from being in the surf," Mr. Leach said.

The trailer owners were alerted to the meeting by its mention in the newspaper. They were not notified by the selectmen's office. Yet they somehow got the word out and packed the meeting room with mostly local residents. Many East Beach trailer owners are from out of town.

Trailer owners criticized town officials for giving the impression that most them were violating health and safety regulations. They said the town should focus on the violators.

They also argued that they get few town services for the property taxes they pay. One trailer owner said having cobblestones cleared from East Beach Road was about the only town service provided.

As to tight tanks causing pollution at the town beach, one woman, who did not want to be identified, said the pollution could be coming from New Bedford.

Trailer owners balked when told the town has photos of items blown around during storms. After one storm, a picnic table ended in the road. Many of the sheds, decks and items left in sheds should not be there at all, town officials said.

"Last year, it cost the town a lot of money to get rowboats, gas grills, toilets and sheds," out of a "swamp," Selectman Gary Mauk said.

Mr. Mauk said the town has "plenty of pictures" of items like propane tanks and gallon jugs used with motor oil. He said it is "not just a cobble" that washes up at East Beach after a heavy storm.

In response, one East Beach resident said, "Nature is nature." She said trailer owners pay taxes yet they do not have children in school and do not require snow plowing or other town services.

Town Administrator Michael Coughlin said the East Beach residents' association has been meeting with the fire chief, who is the town's emergency manager, and has been cooperative.

There was a great deal of confusion about what is allowed and what is not allowed. One owner asked if he could legally move a tight tank further from the water and closer to the road.

Mr. Leach said they could apply to move it. He said many lots are losing ground to the elements and some lots are almost nonexistent.

Others asked if self-contained units were permitted. Mr. Leach said self-contained units do not require an inspection every year, only tight tanks. He said if a unit is in a shed, it is probably not legal.

At the trailer owners' request, the Board of Health will provide a list of what is required for a permit. Selectmen suggested that trailer owners be allowed to submit documentation by mail. Some trailer owners live as far away as New York.

Each property owner is supposed provide documentation with the name of the company that does the pumpouts. The companies report the dates of the pumpouts to the Board of Health. 

Often, the documentation is not complete, Mr. Leach said. He said in some cases, the company listed no longer exists. Mr. Leach gave this as another reason to give more oversight to the Board of Health.

Asked after the meeting why the long-running issue of illegal sheds, decks and other items was not on the agenda, Chairwoman Veronica Beaulieu said they want to wait until this summer when all of the trailer owners will be in town.

By Peggy Aulisio

paulisio@eastbaynewspapers.com

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