Board of Health Approves Tight Tank Permit With Well-Testing Requirement

SHUTESBURY -- April 15, 2026, Shutesbury Board of Health unanimously approves a tight tank septic permit with two setback variances for 371 Knox Pound Road. The four-member quorum, chaired by Catherine Hilton and including Arlene Reed, Wim Levine, and Garrett Simonson, approved the 2,000-gallon tight tank installation with the septic-to-foundation setback reduced from 10 feet to 5 feet and the septic-to-well setback cut from 50 feet to 26 feet; the board imposed a mandatory annual well test reportable each August as a condition of approval. Separately, the board reviewed an ongoing enforcement situation on West Pelham Road where occupants are living in a vehicle on a lot without water supply or septic, and confirmed that acting health agent Megan had arranged for a cease-and-desist letter drafted by attorney Jim Albert to be served by the sheriff's office. The board also agreed to distribute tick safety materials at the upcoming town meeting following reports that UMass Amherst has discontinued both its permethrin shoe-treatment service and its tick-testing program.